I Toured the Arena Today

7 hours later.......................Oh yeah I almost forgot, I saw your post in the Rockets saved forum and replied back like 7 hours ago or something.

Maybe you should post your findings dealing with the possible "arena super tower light show" here. I know this will catch a lot of Rocket fans attentions.

BTW...........Thanks once again for answering my question Jeff.

 

We've taken a lot of care in how we laid out the seats -- most are wider by the current Compaq seats by 2 inches. It's not the same all way aruond due to the way the arena curves, but most are wider.

We also increased the "tread depth" -- building design language for the room from the back of one row to the back of the next -- to make sure people had more leg room.

Both of these decisions actually cost us some seats. From a short term financial standpoint, we could have crammed some more seats in and made more money, especially in the most in-demand areas. We decided that making the seats as comfortable as possible would be the better long-term move, though. We want people to really look forward to coming to the arena, and we know that seat comfort matters, even if it doesn't always get talked about the most.

When I first arrived at the Rockets, every conference room and a good portion of the hallways in our offices were filled with stadium chair samples. It was explained to me early -- if people are going to be paying us good money for a seat, we better make sure it's a good seat. A lot of effort went into that.

Tim

 

We appreciate the thoughtfulness.
Can't wait to see our new place!

 

Thanks Jeff for the update, and Tim for the info regarding the displays. They sound unreal. i can't wait till next season. Hey, when will they announce the new uniforms/logo? On the first game? or before?

 

Looks like a trip to Houston might have to be in the works....

 

Hey Tim, Its a pleasure to meet you. I have just one question regarding the new arena. I know everyone is sick and tired of this question but, what's the deal with these "Super Towers." Jeff did answer my question.............. but in the process brought up a new one to dwell on. He explained to me that they were to be wrapped in a "white flowing fabric." This concept has been done before on the Burj AL Arab Hotel in Dubai. The Hotel is designed to look like a giant "sail" on the high seas. At night, there "white flowing fabric" is illuminated to produce a brilliant colorful laser light show that absolutley blows the mind. And in the arena renderings, these "towers" appear to be illuminated by lights that gently fade toward the top, just exactly like at the Burj Al Arab hotel. Coincidently, I believe both buildings are partly designed by HOK. Are the Rockets planning on using these "towers" to produce there own light show during player introductions and the game?

If not, there's my suggestion for you and the Rockets.

Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai with lighted "sail"



Interior of new Rockets arena with possible lighted "tower"

 

And last but not least...................One more VERY IMPORTANT question concerning the new arena for Jeff or Tim or Clutch or anyone who knows this.

Is there any update on the Olajuwon Statue? Will there even be one due to his religious beliefs? I assume there will be one because they are clearing out the proposed site for the statue at the front entrance as you can see in the pic provided below. What's the deal here?

 

To answer both of the last two questions ....

When we first approached Hakeem about doing a statue, he loved the idea. Sometime after the statue announcement, he had a meeting with his religious advisors, and they gave him some feedback about what would be appropriate, which he and his advisors then relayed to us.

We're still working on the statue. It's a little more complex than originally interpreted -- statues aren't prohibited by Hakeem's beliefs, but direct three-dimensional representations are. The statue has to be interpretive. That meant we really had to ratchet up the level of sculptors we were talking to, since it's a much more difficult assignment. The whole project is making good progress, and we expect to have a grand unveiling sometime in the first half of the season. Hakeem and his advisors have been very helpful throughout the process.

As for the super-columns -- those are primarily structural in nature, but they will have some sort of fabric facade. I honestly can't say whether it's going to be a flowing type of structure -- I'd have to check on that Monday when I'm back in the office.

Tim

 

I still say forget Hakeem if he doesn't want his statue and move on...let's build one for Rudy...it's the least he deserves.

 

Believe me, Hakeem wants it. It just needs to meet some special criteria to fit with his beliefs. We're more than happy to accomodate him.

 

Hey Tim, thanks for the update. Forgive me but, this whole statue project sounds strange and surreal. It will be interesting to see what you guys come up with to honor Dream. I have confidence in you guys that you will do a fantastic job. After your description, I am stilll a tad bit confused, as I would assume everyone else would be, too. What can we fans look foward to seeing? Can you give us a brief idea please?

Also regarding the "super towers," Jeff did confirm that they were to be of a fabric nature. But that doesnt really concern me. Jeff did mention in the past that the arena would have pyro and lighting effects like in Miami at American Airlines Arena. I just want to know if these "towers" will be illuminated like in the Burj Al Arab Hotel pic and used for an elaborate laser light pyro display similar to Miami's scoreboard at American Airlinse Arena?

 

Actually, the more I think about that, the more I like that idea. I wouldn't want a clone of the Jordan statue, I think it should be more unique....like Hakeem himself. I think it's safe to say he's more than earned the right to "call the shots" on the design. Glad he's being helpful.

Tim, are you saying your guys approached Hakeem before the number retirement game? I thought it was a surprise for Dream at the ceremony. He sure looked surprised!

 

We checked with him before ... we knew enough to know it could be a sensitive issue.

I saw Hakeem's look when Les made the announcement as well ... I just thought it was a reaction to the way the crowd roared at the moment (it was a rush), but I can't really speak for Hakeem there.

Tim

 

Thank you Rocketman...that annoys me more than anything on this BBS.

I'd rather watch a Rockets game at the new arena in that current state as opposed to the damn Compaq Centre.

 

So what on earth can we expect this "Dream" statue to look like....................this?



OR THIS................



OR MYABE EVEN THIS.....................




I mean can we expect to see an abstract art sculpture that you would proabaly find at the Menil Collection, to honor Dream?

 

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