Bentley University Arena

Bentley University Arena

A facility designed to do more

On the campus of Bentley University in Waltham, MA, the vision for a new arena extended beyond athletics. The facility needed to support Division I hockey while also functioning as a gathering place for academic work, student life and community events.

That level of versatility required more than a traditional arena design. It required a building that could adapt, supporting different uses without compromise.

The Bentley Arena brings those needs together within a single, integrated facility. Alongside the ice rink, the building includes a sports medicine center, spaces for academic collaboration and areas designed for alumni events and conferences. Each function had to work independently while remaining connected to the larger environment.

Creating space without limits

At the center of the design is the need for uninterrupted space. Sightlines, seating and flexibility all depend on clear spans that eliminate interior columns.

To achieve this, the building utilizes open web truss beam framing, creating a column-free interior that supports both the rink and surrounding program areas. The open web configuration also allows mechanical systems to pass through the structure, reducing conflicts and improving coordination between disciplines.

Continuous beam columns were used to control clearances at the mezzanine level, ensuring that circulation and viewing areas remained functional without interfering with the primary space below.

Beyond the arena floor, the structure supports stadium seating through integrated raker beams, accommodating 1,917 seats for hockey games and expanding to 3,626 for other events. This flexibility allows the venue to scale with demand, supporting everything from athletic competition to large campus gatherings.

The structural system does more than hold the building up. It shapes how the space is experienced.

Structure, performance and comfort

The arena’s multi-level design introduced additional complexity. Composite floor systems were used to support upper-level spaces, requiring detailed vibration analysis to ensure comfort and performance.

This level of coordination reflects the role of Varco Pruden™ Conventional Steel Services (CSS) in the project. By integrating structural design with detailing and fabrication, the team was able to address performance requirements early and maintain alignment through construction.

That integration was especially important given the building’s location. Constructed adjacent to a pond, the project faced strict environmental constraints. Surrounding wetlands had to be protected throughout construction, limiting access to one side of the site.

This restriction impacted how materials, equipment and lifts could be delivered and positioned. To address it, the team relied on an approach that prioritized efficiency and reduced site disruption. By leveraging pre-engineered systems and coordinated sequencing, the project minimized the need for rework and optimized site preparation.

These decisions were not made in isolation. They were the result of collaboration, aligning structural solutions with environmental requirements and construction realities.

Building with long-term impact in mind

Sustainability was not a secondary consideration. It was a defining goal.

The Bentley Arena became the first standalone ice arena in the country to achieve LEED Platinum certification, reflecting a commitment to energy efficiency and long-term environmental performance.

Design strategies focused on reducing energy demand while maintaining the conditions required for ice operations and occupant comfort. Structural systems, building envelope solutions and mechanical integration all contributed to that outcome.

Bentley President Gloria Cordes Larson emphasized the broader significance of the project: “The new Bentley Arena is a sustainable investment in the future of Bentley, providing a gathering place to welcome the entire Bentley community and beyond for many years to come and enhancing the incredible student experience that is the hallmark of a Bentley education.”

Delivered through partnership

Despite site constraints and delays in the local approval process, the project was completed in just 18 months. That timeline reflects the value of early coordination and a process designed to keep projects moving forward.

Collaboration between the builder, design team and Varco Pruden ensured that challenges were addressed proactively, not reactively. Structural systems were selected with constructability in mind. Sequencing was aligned with site limitations. Decisions were made with a clear understanding of their impact on schedule and performance.

The result is a facility that meets the university’s immediate needs while remaining adaptable for the future.

Recognized as a 2019 Hall of Fame winner, the Bentley Arena stands as an example of what can be achieved when flexibility, engineering and partnership come together.