On court this year's tournament took on special significance with Andy and Jamie Murray's achievements creating tennis history, while behind the scenes UK based Arena Group supported the ATP and AEG to produce a new look tournament having secured a three year contract with the ATP Tour.
Following the 2015 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals AEG informed the ATP that the space used for the Fanzone was no longer available and conversations between the ATP and Arena Group began to redesign the event's footprint. It was decided to move the players and sponsors facilities, including the practice courts and players restaurant, to a temporary facility adjacent to The O2 and relocate the Fan Zone inside the venue.
Arena Group responded to the brief to create temporary venues in-keeping with the environment, installing its new I-Novation system and creating a new flat-roof structure, used for the VIP reception and security area.
Project manager Dan Bluff states, "There was a lot of consultation, planning, investment, innovative engineering and creative thought behind this project and I think it has paid off with the best structure we've ever produced for an event."
The 40m x 50m I-Novation system delivers a more permanent feeling venue, with 13m high legs giving the headroom the client requested. This external building mirrored the style of The O2 arena forming an outer skin comfortably accommodating the players and sponsors' facilities inside it, which were comprised of two 40m x 15m Arena triple-decker hospitality structures either side of the practice court.
Arena Interiors' creative abilities shone here, from beautifully appointed players' lounges to bespoke sponsors' hospitality suites, with event furniture supplied from within the Arena Group by Spaceworks.
Event director, Adam Hogg said, "The Barclays ATP World Tour Finals is the climax of the men's professional tennis season. As such, we strive to deliver the best possible experience for all stakeholders at the tournament, whether that be the players, sponsors, media or fans. Working closely this year with AEG and Arena Group we were able to deliver a world-class event that provided all of these groups with an enhanced offering and a positive experience for their time at The O2."
(Jim Evans)
