HHL Architects was selected by the Buffalo Sabres to design a base and information kiosk for a newly commissioned bronze sculpture of “The French Connection” (Gilbert Perrault, Rick Martin and Renè Robert), three iconic members of the Buffalo Sabres in the 1970’s. The base is located outside of the entry to the former First Niagara Center Arena.

The base is elevated slightly from grade, just enough to allow visitors and arena patrons to be closely engaged with and to look up to these larger-than life heroes of the cherished hockey team. The base is made of precast concrete panels and brick to reflect the material of the adjacent structures. A brushed stainless-steel oval platform creates an image like ice to help contrast the dark bronze color of the sculptures. HHL teamed with Available Light of NYC to focus dramatic light up from the base and onto the figures. A stainless steel illuminated information kiosk provides visitors with details of the sculpture and was designed to conceal additional sculpture light fixtures within.