In a few years, Stade de la Meinau may become a popular destination, not only for RC Strasbourg fans. As part of a renovation project set to finish by 2026 and costing around €160 million, old Airbus A340 fuselages will be repurposed as sunshades.

A world-first project

On the southern facade of the new grandstand at Stade de la Meinau, 196 panels, each measuring 6 by 2.5 meters, will be installed. Thanks to this innovative architectural concept, unveiled on October 21, the stadium will acquire a unique character. During the renovation, which began in May 2023, old Airbus A340 fuselages are being reused. The upper part of the aircraft fuselage, located above passenger heads, is retained, preserving only the aluminum structure. The panels are then cleaned and repainted: white on the outside and blue on the inside. This is the first endeavor of its kind worldwide.

In 2006-2010, I was responsible for Aviva Stadium in Dublin, and at Populous, we formed a group to think about the stadiums of tomorrow, which we called 'plug and play.' While traveling, I started to wonder what happens to aircraft when they are no longer needed, thinking they could serve as architectural elements. One day, I learned that a Luxembourg company could reuse aircraft fuselages by cutting them appropriately. I asked if other companies were doing the same, said François Clément, architect and president of Populous France, as quoted by L'Équipe.

© Populous / Strasbourg

Stadium renovation aligns with circular economy principles

The project is led by Strasbourg Eurométropole, the stadium’s project owner, along with Marc Keller, president of Racing. Specifications given to the architectural firm Populous emphasize energy efficiency and circular economy principles, aiming to reduce the carbon footprint. The overall goal of the stadium renovation is to expand the capacity of Stade de la Meinau to 32,000 seats. Much of the work currently focuses on the new south stand, which will house the club's entire support area, including 3,800 VIP seats and 1,500 premium seats across five floors with lounges, 32 individual boxes seating 9, 12, or 18, a presidential lounge, headquarters offices, and a restaurant. This stand is scheduled to be completed before the 2025/2026 season.

On its roof, 900 m² of new-generation photovoltaic panels developed in Germany will be installed, capable of generating significantly more energy. The stadium will also be connected to the city’s district heating network, which uses renewable energy. Rainwater will be collected and reused for toilets and pitch irrigation. Old urinals and sinks will be reinstalled, and to respect Strasbourg's green and blue network—integrating biodiversity protection with regional planning—600 trees will be transplanted. Several other investments are being made concurrently, such as expanding the fan zone with a sports bar, restaurant, and store.

© Populous / Strasbourg