Porto Novo Cultural Arena -Benin

Located at the entrance of Porto-Novo, from the access bridge connecting the city to Cotonou, the Porto Novo Cultural Arena has been conceived as an urban landmark: a space that that will not only serve as a venue for performances but also as a symbol of Benin’s cultural identity and vitality. Visible from the city’s main approach routes, it marks the threshold of the capital and stands as an open building, designed for everyone.
An arena is, by essence, a place of gathering, a space for people to meet. In the case of Porto Novo, the program is plural: it is designed to host various types of events: cultural, such as concerts and artistic performances; religious, such as Vodun ceremonies; and civic, for public presentations or political gatherings. The objective is to create a space capable of accommodating a large audience, up to 6,000 spectators in concert configuration, while also allowing for more intimate performances. Through its flexibility and capacity, the Cultural Arena is intended to become one of the most active and vibrant places in the capital.
The site, located between the river boundary of the city and its main entrance, gives the project a strong urban dimension. The Arena is not limited to its role as a performance venue: it is also envisioned as a public square, a place for walks and leisure for families, contributing to the revitalization of the riverbanks and the creation of a new social hub in Porto Novo.
Its architecture expresses this ambition through a clear and contrasting language. The prefabricated concrete bleachers are supported by a grid of exposed concrete walls and arches, asserting the strength and permanence of the place. This brutalist character of the concrete is contrasted by an extremely light and technical steel structure that appears to effortlessly support a 25-meter cantilevered textile façade and roof. The steel porticos, with their double columns, create a kinetic effect on the façade, which changes appearance depending on the viewer’s perspective. This zigzagging skin enhances natural ventilation through large openings between porticos, ensuring comfort adapted to the local climate.
The geometry of the main stand is completed by a densely planted embankment that closes the central arena, forming a perfect circle. This densely landscaped artificial hill creates an informal seating area for 360° performances. The rear of the mound remains fully vegetated, creating a connection and transition with the riverbanks while acting as a green backdrop visible from the arena’s bleachers.
From the initial idea to its completion, the Cultural Arena of Porto Novo stands as an architecture both grounded and open, a unifying place where culture, nature, and the city come together in a single architectural gesture.

- Location: Porto Novo, Benin
- Client : SIRAT Ministry of Living Environment and Sustainable Development
- Architect : StudioMAAC
- Program: Design of the Cultural arena and surroundings
- Area: 4134 m2
- Schedule / Dates: 2026
- Cost: 12 M€
- Product: Cultural arena