Liverpool Arena and Convention Centre: A modern design of the highest architectural quality with Pflaum® mineral wool panels

Thanks to its location in the historic port of Liverpool, which was appointed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, the highest architectural quality was one of the most important requirements for the construction of the Arena and Conference Centre Liverpool. Pflaum® mineral wool facade panels from ArcelorMittal provided the desired aesthetics.

Detailed information

A modern design

On an unused plot at King's dock, close to Liverpool Port, one of Europe's most versatile convention centres was established as part of the regeneration plan of the city, developed by the city’s urban regeneration agency, Liverpool Vision.

The architectural design is reminiscent of a butterfly landing on the water. The Echo Arena, a multi-purpose hall with a capacity of 10 000 seats, is directly connected to the BT Convention Centre via a translucent gallery. The various functional areas of the complex, designed in a series of visually unified shapes, are linked to newly created, exciting public spaces, which offer room for art and other activities.

The complex itself has a low height so as not to restrict the view of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and the waterfront. For this reason, a large portion of the ACC Liverpool facilities had to be built underground.

The result is a building that could not have been built 20 years ago: its design and shape is based on the most modern computerised design and construction technologies.

An aesthetic facade that defies the sea climate

The facade is made of steel and glass. A perimeter steel facade system forms the upper part of the facade, with rounded edges at the end of the interface with the main roof. ArcelorMittal Constuction manufactured the lightweight, non-flammable rock wool composite panels with concealed fastener type Pflaum® FI. The outer panel surface is smooth. The sheet thickness is 0.75 mm with a total thickness of 60 mm and a 1000 mm overall width with a maximum length of 14 m. Special elements - corner elements - were used as well.

For the part of the facade in the entrance area, Pflaum Module 4 panels were used. These composite design panels are characterised by the absence of vertical joints.

The steel facade not only had to match the aesthetic requirements resulting from its World Heritage Site location, but it first and foremost had to defy the sea climate with its aggressive corrosion effects of sand and salt.

Below the steel facade, a glass facade with screen printing patterns runs as an intermediate band. Each panel is specially cut - only 22 out of all of the glass panels are interchangeable. From the outside, the glass panes are nontransparent; the view from inside out varies in the different areas of the complex.

Depending on the functional area, the complex is single glazed (around the events hall), double, or triple glazed (BT Convention Centre).

The roof of the ACC Liverpool stands out both by its size and its position: its 40 mm thick construction works like double glazing and the air in between acts as insulation.

Functional areas

The Echo Arena is a very flexible venue with more than 10 000 seats that can be customised depending on the different events.

The BT Convention Centre has an auditorium with 1350 seats and a 7500 square metre exhibition area. Here, multi-functionality plays a major part as well: the auditorium can be divided and numerous smaller meeting rooms offer space for conferences and congresses of all types.

The ACC Liverpool complex also includes a new public square, a multi-storey car park for 2600 cars, as well as 96 hotel rooms.

This modern event centre has quickly become a new landmark of the redesigned Liverpool Port and served as the main venue for the Liverpool celebrations as European Culture Capital in 2008.

A sustainable concept

The ACC Liverpool is one of the few 'green' venues in Europe. As the only one of its kind in the UK, it received an Excellent BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) certificate and was also awarded the gold certificate of the Green Business Tourism Scheme.

Thanks to its particularly sustainable design, based on highly energy efficient and environmentally friendly criteria, the BT Conference Centre produces only half the CO2 emissions and consumes 20% less electricity than a common facility of its kind. Design, insulation, and ventilation systems are synchronised for energy optimisation, and the highly efficient lighting is controlled by motion detectors. Five low-noise wind turbines on the river bank contribute to the power supply of the ACC Liverpool.

40% of the water consumption in the rest rooms comes from collected rainwater from the roof. The gallery, which serves as the connection between the two buildings, consists of a double-layer air-inflated plastic skin to ensure that the building stays warm in winter and cool in summer.

Project information

  • Liverpool
  • Great Britain
  • Architect:
    Wilkinson Eyre
  • 2005-2008
  • Client:
    Liverpool City Council
  • Engineering:
    Buro Happold, M&E: Faber Maunsell (structure)
  • Contractor:
    Bovis Lend Lease
  • Photographer:
    1-4, 9-14: ©ACC Liverpool;
    4-8, 16: © H. Königsmaier, Pflaum & Söhne