Renewal of the movable acoustic ceiling of the Avicii Arena, the world’s largest spherical building.

Taiyo Kogyo Corporation (Tokyo headquarters: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Osaka headquarters: Yodogawa-ku, Osaka; President: Yumi Nomura), a company involved in large-scale membrane structures (tent structures) and civil engineering and logistics materials, has designed, manufactured, and installed a movable acoustic ceiling system, including movable panels, cable net structures, and access walkways, for the Avicii Arena (former Erickson Grove) for a large-scale renovation project through its German subsidiary, Taiyo Europe GmbH (Sauerlach, Germany). Taiyo Europe GmbH, through its German subsidiary Taiyo Europe GmbH (Sauerlach, Germany), designed, manufactured, and installed a movable acoustic ceiling system, including movable panels, cable net structures, and access walkways, for the large-scale renovation of the Avicii Arena (formerly Erickson Globe).

Located in Stockholm, Sweden, the Avicii Arena (formerly the Ericsson Globe) was completed in 1989 as the world’s largest spherical structure with a diameter of 110 meters and an interior height of 85 meters, and has long been a popular venue for sports and music events. In response to the growing need for a multipurpose facility in recent years and technological advances in acoustic performance, the facility has undergone a complete renovation, including expansion of the spectator seating and lounge areas. The movable acoustic ceiling system, suspended in a cable net structure, is composed of 452 special panels. The 100 mm thick panels are made of an insulated membrane material that combines acoustic performance and design. The panels are installed along the curved ceiling shape of the arena and open and close smoothly by electric chain drive. The acoustics can be optimized according to the event and the acoustic environment can be switched in 10 minutes.

These innovations make the use of the facility even more flexible and efficient, as the acoustic properties of the space can be adjusted for a variety of uses, such as sporting events, concerts, and ceremonies. The Avicii Arena, which is scheduled to host major international events such as the 2027 EuroBasket Women’s Basketball Championships, has been transformed into a world-class, advanced arena not only in terms of acoustic performance, but also in terms of spatial variability and direction.

Location: Stockholm, Sweden

Size: 110 m (diameter) x 85 m (height)

Completed: February 1989

Capacity: 16,000 (concerts), 13,850 (ice hockey)

Client: Stockholm Globe Arena Fastigheter AB (SGA Fastigheter)

Design: HOK, C.F. Møller Architects

Structural design: Schlaich Bergermann Partner

Structural analysis: Maffeis Engineering

Prime contractor: NCC Building Sweden

Cooperation: Montage Service, MBM

Panel drive system: Lanaro

Construction period: January 2024 – January 2025

Scope of order: Design, construction, operation and maintenance of a movable acoustic ceiling system

Roof area: 3,900 m2

Panel dimensions (per panel): 3.84 m x 2.26 m

Roof material: PVC membrane on both sides + polyester sound absorbing material (100 mm)

Number of membrane panels: 452

Cable: 4,409 m total length

Taiyo Kogyo’s subsidiary in Europe (wholly owned subsidiary)

• Founded: 1997
• President: Djurabek Babakulov, Ismoilov Mirodiljon
• Location: Sauerlach, Germany

Taiyo Kogyo is a leading manufacturer of large membrane surface structures that are economical, easy to install, translucent, and well designed. Under the corporate philosophy of “Unlocking the infinite possibilities of membranes to deliver an inspiring and comfortable environment to our customers. Under the corporate philosophy of “We will bring excitement and a comfortable environment to our customers by exploiting the infinite possibilities of membranes,” TSP Taiyo has been supporting the safety and security of society by utilizing the characteristics of light and strong materials to expand its business in various fields including construction, as symbolized by the roof of the giant dome, civil engineering, logistics, and environmental fields.

Together with group companies such as TSP Taiyo Corporation, which provides event consulting services, and ACTIO Corporation, which manages facilities, we are working to “make the world softer and the future warmer. We aim to “make the world soft and the future warm. We aim to “soften the world and warm the future.