An Entertainment City by the Bay: The SM Mall of Asia Arena
If your thinking that this blog is about a certain bay complex in another country, You got it wrong. What I'm going to talk about is located in the heart of Metro Manila. Behold, The SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay.
According to Architectonica's plan:
SM Mall of Asia ArenaManila, PhilippinesFor this G-top™ Arquitectonica GEO proposes to design an oasis in the sky. A lush planted landscape that will become a sanctuary of calm and beauty covering approximately 19000 square meters of roofscape. The strong aroma of the carefully chosen plant palette will overtake the senses once the visitor ventures into this contemporary oasis in the sky.The design of the deck proposes a buffer from the city creating an iconic and unique inner space; in it five different gardens are proposed offering places for relaxation, arts, and activities for children. The free-form design will contrast with the rigid geometry of the surrounding urban landscape and will impose nature into a highly artificial environment. A covered path linking all areas will provide shade and protection from the rain.Lush landscape with subtle grade changes will provide exciting and refreshing spaces that support an active retail and facilities’ structure. The main ‘plaza’ and ‘The Great Lawn’ embrace the convention center across and serve as an outdoor receiving area for the ballrooms. The performance stage / outdoor amphitheater with projection screens, and the synthetic lawn are all considered rich design opportunities that will enhance the public’s experience and enjoyment and will combine natural (park) and built materials in a way that frames the architecture. Water, green textures, tile, wood and contemporary materials will provide a cool sensory experience that will encourage activity and invite pedestrians from street level.
The upcoming mega development plan by SM Development Corporation includes a mix of commercial office buildings and the much anticipated SM Mall of Asia Arena. A 16,000 guaranteed seating capacity (20,000 Maximum for Standing Room Only) modern arena for sports and entertainment events.
But before you raise an eyebrow and point out that the whole complex is located in a reclamation area (with the side rumors of SM Mall of Asia sinking to its death at 1-inch per year), the foundation built deep into the bedrock, around 40-50 meters deep, the architects and engineers of this projects know it. SM Mall of Asia itself is supposed to be an 8-storey mall but the original plan was trashed into a 2-storey building.
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| SM Mall of Asia Complex Masterplan |
With the Mall of Asia Complex, this part of Paranaque and Pasay City would jump start more business and the economy more together with the PAGCOR Entertainment City, a Las Vegas type casino and Hotel complex, The biggest Oceanarium in the World, and the PAGCOR Tower.
Since last year, When officials from SM Supermall's spilled the info about the Arena, I've been curious and became a follower of the progress, just like what I did in the SM North EDSA Development plan a few years ago.
The eye shaped design of the building was conceptualized by the world renowned company Architectonica the same team who created SM Mall of Asia and other new SM buildings like SM City North EDSA Annex.
The grounds will have a mix of urban designs and greens all around (think of a giant greenhouse with lots of screaming people inside during concerts). The SM Mall of Asia Arena which can house 16,000 crazy screaming fans MIGHT be open by the end of 2011 or early 2012, this is in line with National University's impending host of the 2012 75th season of the UAAP -If you don't know, NU is now under the Sy's. This is also in lieu with the Philippines' goal to bid for the hosting of the FIBA World Cup.
I know what your thinking, "OH NO! Parking would be like Hell times ten once this opens!", Dont fret! There is actually a 10-storey carpark building being constructed beside the Church, first 7 floors serves as parking while the rest are offices. There will also be a bridge connecting the building to the Arena.
When this project completes in a few months, other concert and event venues will need to work extra hard to keep their fans (and event producers) glued to their venues. :)
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UPDATE:
SM Mall of Asia Arena to open May 2012!
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