For the restyling of the Stade de la Meinau in Strasbourg, a Populous project that’s scheduled for completion in 2026, the fuselages of decommissioned A340 planes are being recycled to create sun shading integrated into the architecture of the stadium.
Over recent years, there’s been an emphasis on sports in the capital of Alsace, a nerve center of European politics. And several local clubs are now achieving genuine success, especially in soccer and basketball. And exciting things are happening, in particular, with Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace, a soccer team that plays in Ligue 1, France’s top national league.
Founded in 1906 under the name Neudorf, Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace was originally in the third division of the German championship league. After the First World War and the redrawing of national boundaries, it joined the French league, in which it has remained, except for a brief period during the Second World War and the German occupation of France. Racing has had mixed fortunes throughout its history, with success only really coming in the 1978–79 season, when it won its first and only national title.
Nowadays, the team plays its home games at the Stade de la Meinau, a stadium built in 1906, inaugurated in 1914, and renovated in 2001. The current restyling of the facility is the work of Populous, together with local partners Rey-de-Crécy, a firm specialized in the design of sports facilities. It was commissioned by Eurométropole of Strasbourg and its partners, including the City of Strasbourg, the Region Grand Est, the Collectivité Européenne d’Alsace, and the Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace.
This enormous restyling project includes an unusual world first, with the sun shading on the façade of the southern stand created using fuselage sections from decommissioned Airbus A340 aircraft. These occupy a surface area of over 4000 m² across the whole rear of the stand. The light colors of the fuselage sections will create an elegant and shimmering effect, casting reflections across the park that surrounds the stadium.
This project responds to today’s growing need for sustainable stadium design, while also making an important new contribution to the discussion on how recycling and reusing materials can improve the sustainability of large-scale projects. Aimed at upgrading the usability of the Stade de la Meinau, the project will also increase the current seating capacity of 26,000, its functionality, and its sustainability, while retaining its unique atmosphere.
Already in progress, work should be completed by August 2026, when the capacity will increase to 32,000 seats. Afterwards, new spaces for fans and operational facilities will be created around a five-story glass atrium to house bars, lounges, hospitality areas, and places for watching the games. Once the southern stand is completed, work will continue on the others. A fan zone will also be created, the first in a French stadium, which will be open during the week.
With the stadium, Strasbourg is moving into an innovative and sustainable future, as befits this strategically important European city.
>>> Also discover the new Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid, designed by L35 Architects
Location: Strasbourg, France
Status: Ongoing
Architect: Populous
Local Architect: Rey-de-Crécy
All images courtesy of Populous