Nearly 200 panels cut from 30 jet liners incorporated into facade of new stand at the Stade de la Meinau
Populous has completed the installation of nearly 200 commercial aircraft fuselage sections into the facade of the Stade de la Meinau in Strasbourg.
The London-based practice is working on the redevelopment of the home ground of Ligue 1 club RC Strasbourg Alsace in eastern France, which includes the construction of a new 11,712-seat South Stand.
As part of the renovation, fuselage sections cut from 30 decommissioned Airbus A340 jet liners have been transformed into panels used for a unique sun-shading system.
The 196 aluminium panels taken from the disused planes cover a total surface area of 4,050sq m across the whole south-facing facade of the stadium.
The project also includes a new five-storey atrium at the stand containing hospitality spaces and food and drink outlets at the existing North, East and West Stands, with the ground’s total capacity to be increased from 26,282 seats to 32,000.
Originally due to complete in July this year, it is currently running more than a year behind schedule with completion now expected in August next year.
New images and videos of the scheme published by Populous show the Airbus panels lined up along the exterior of the South Stand, creating a brise soleil aiming to reduce interior heat gain.
The practice said it needed to overcome a series of technical and logistical challenges to ensure the facade was deliverable within the scheme’s budget.
Solutions included the use of innovative isostatic hanging systems to manage aluminium panel expansion and wind loads at heights of 30m.
The practice also said it needed to “completely reimagine” the construction workflow on the site to reduce costs by optimising panel sizes, redesigning reusable transport racks and implementing a phased production cycle.
The reuse of the aircraft fuselages are part of the scheme’s sustainability strategy, which will also see parts of the stadium undergoing demolition reused for the construction of newbuild elements.
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