Architectural Design Company and Services

We believe that great architecture connects emotionally to the people that use it. For over 40 years and with thousands of built projects, Populous has designed and delivered some of the world’s most memorable civic, sports and entertainment buildings, from iconic stadiums to ground-breaking live music venues.

The buildings that Populous designs are formidable in both scale and complexity, and our experience in bringing tens of thousands of people together in one space is unrivaled. We offer a unique approach to the design of our projects, marrying unsurpassed technical expertise with internationally recognized design capability. Complex projects require a truly integrated design strategy, with the synthesis of multiple design disciplines into a singular bold, beautiful and intelligent design. Our culturally diverse team of architects and designers work from offices across the world to bring a unique combination of international and local expertise to their work — ensuring ever more unique, innovative and thoughtful outcomes for every project.

Our designers consistently challenge expectations, whether it’s the John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield, which created a new model for stadium design back in 1994, or TQL Stadium and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium setting new standards in MLS and the Premier League, or beyond to Sphere — an entertainment venue that defies belief inside and out — and Qiddiya Stadium in Saudi Arabia, where digital evolution will result in a fan experience unlike any seen before. The way we watch sport and entertainment is constantly changing, and we must change with it, pushing past the boundaries of what was previously thought possible.

Architecture Highlights

ICC Sydney
Lusail Stadium
Margaret Court Arena
National Speed Skating Oval
Yankee Stadium
BMO Centre
TQL Stadium
Sphere
T-Mobile Arena
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

How We Do It

1

Designing for the experience

Our design process starts with the experience of the end-user. By envisioning the journey of every individual who will interact with the space, from spectators to performers, we create venues that resonate on a personal level. This approach ensures that our projects are not just seen and admired but felt and remembered.

As technology advances and the way fans engage with live events evolves, the architecture evolves too. More and more, the live experience is shifting towards both a physical and a digital space, and our venues are becoming more virtually connected than ever before.
2

Creative collaboration

Populous thrives on collaboration. Our projects are the result of a synergistic process that involves close interaction with clients, stakeholders, and communities, using intelligent diagramming to demonstrate the development of our designs.

This collaborative ethos extends to our internal practices, where knowledge and expertise are shared across the globe, grounding our solutions in a wealth of diverse experiences.
3

A commitment to sustainability

Every Populous project is designed with sustainability at its core, reflecting our commitment to the future of our planet and the communities we serve. By respecting and responding to the local context — culturally, environmentally, and socially — we ensure that our venues stand the test of time to become integral parts of their surroundings.

It’s this thinking that led us to create the world’s first zero-carbon-certified arena, the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.