The NBA Sacramento Kings asked AECOM to imagine a new heart for downtown Sacramento and create a fan experience that reflects the city’s identity while achieving new standards of sustainability.

To meet the challenge, our architects, sports architects, landscape architects, engineers, urban planners and economists worked together from the beginning to design a basketball arena and entertainment venue that sets the standard and spurs downtown revitalization.

AECOM’s team studied the flow of people and activity through downtown, analyzed microclimates and the cooling Delta Breeze, engaged with the community to understand the city’s passions and ambitions, and took inspiration from the granite faces of the Sierra Nevada.

Golden 1 Center will be the world’s most comfortable, connected and sustainable sports venue. AECOM’s design reconnects neighborhoods and repairs the city grid; rethinks the traditional, introverted arena by opening to the outdoors and inviting the community for year-round activities; and reduces energy, water and carbon use.