The Chesapeake Energy Arena has always struck me as more utilitarian than it is aesthetically pleasing – the BOK Center in Tulsa is much more striking. But the vastness of the exterior as well as the interior space makes it remarkable. I have attended several Thunder games and concerts here, and the open space inside of the area seems to amplify energy and deliver anticipation for the show or game to be enjoyed. Arenas are inherently gathering places, and the placement of this building on the edge of the city makes it accessible to out-of-town audiences while also allowing people to move to Bricktown, the city’s entertainment district. To me, the Chesapeake Energy Arena’s importance lies both in the immense scale on which it was built and in the many, many people who gather inside. The Chesapeake Arena was designed by The Benham Companies, LLC. Picture Source