PNE Freedom Mobile Arch

The new Freedom Mobile Arch marks an exciting chapter for the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE), replacing its former 1960s-era amphitheatre into a new, purpose-built venue at the heart of Hastings Park. Anchored by an iconic mass timber canopy, the 10,000 capacity open-air venue is designed to deliver world-class performances, while providing the infrastructure, flexibility, and amenities needed to host major concerts, festivals, and cultural events.

Working alongside Revery Architecture, our team designed the roof structure to provide protection from the elements while creating an exceptional acoustic environment within a column-free space. The result is a distinctive starburst roof structure that lands gracefully at just three points, creating a dramatic and highly efficient structural form.

The arched roof also shapes the experience of the venue, framing views toward the North Shore Mountains and connecting the audience to the surrounding landscape. Its sweeping geometry creates a strong architectural identity while responding to the unique setting of the site.

The roof is composed of six barrel-vaulted segments that intersect along diagonal planes, creating a clear span of 105 m (345 ft) from buttress tip to buttress tip. Covering approximately 7,200 m², the completed structure is among the longest timber arch roofs in the world and is slightly longer than the Richmond Olympic Oval, completed in 2008.