{"id":162791,"date":"2025-11-04T18:32:10","date_gmt":"2025-11-04T18:32:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/162791\/"},"modified":"2025-11-04T18:32:10","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T18:32:10","slug":"upcycled-airplanes-form-populous-stadium-facade-in-strasbourg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/162791\/","title":{"rendered":"upcycled airplanes form populous&#8217; stadium facade in strasbourg"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>parts from 30 retired aircraft shape Populous\u2019 stadium facade<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.designboom.com\/tag\/populous\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Populous<\/strong><\/a> introduces a striking environmental innovation to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designboom.com\/tag\/architecture-in-france\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Strasbourg\u2019s<\/strong><\/a> Stade de la Meinau, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designboom.com\/tag\/recycling\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>repurposing<\/strong><\/a> sections of decommissioned Airbus A340 fuselages to form the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designboom.com\/tag\/facades\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facade<\/strong><\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designboom.com\/tag\/stadium-architecture-and-design\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>stadium\u2019s<\/strong><\/a> new south stand. The project marks a world first in sustainable architecture, transforming aviation waste into a sun-shading system that glimmers across the 4,050-square-meter surface of the stand.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Located in the city\u2019s La Meinau district, the 11,712-seat South Stand, designed by Populous in collaboration with local architect Rey-de-Cr\u00e9cy, incorporates fuselage panels sourced from 30 retired aircraft. These are cut and adapted into 196 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designboom.com\/tag\/aluminum\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>aluminum<\/strong><\/a> segments, arranged as a continuous brise-soleil to temper sunlight and lend the structure a shimmering skin. In use since September 2025, the stand is already hosting Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace matches while the rest of the stadium continues its phased transformation. \u2018The idea for the facade sunshade was originally conceived during the Covid-19 pandemic, when planes were almost entirely grounded and airlines resized their fleet and flight operations,\u2019 <strong>says Fran\u00e7ois Cl\u00e9ment, President of Populous France.<\/strong> \u2018Our design concept sought to make use of decommissioned aircraft, using upcycled architecture to deliver the innovative concept at the heart of an environmentally sustainable design for the revamped stadium.\u2019<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1162472 size-full lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" alt=\"watch how populous built the RC strasbourg stadium out of decommissioned aeroplanes\" width=\"818\" height=\"620\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/populous-airplane-bodies-sun-shading-facade-strasbourg-stadium-designboom-04.jpg\"  data- loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>all images courtesy of credit Rey de Crecy and Populous, unless stated otherwise<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>stade de la meinau in strasbourg embraces circular design<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The project aligns with Strasbourg\u2019s broader goals for climate-conscious urban development. \u2018Faced with the challenges of climate change, we must develop a circular economy that respects the resources at our disposal,\u2019 <strong>notes Pia Imbs, President of the Eurom\u00e9tropole of Strasbourg.<\/strong> \u2018The reuse of the fuselages was decisive in our choice of project\u2014it is a world first of which we are proud; it is the signature of the new face of the stadium.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Expected for completion in August 2026, the full renovation will expand Stade de la Meinau\u2019s capacity from 26,000 to 32,000 seats. For the\u00a0south stand, <a href=\"https:\/\/populous.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><strong>the\u00a0French team<\/strong><\/a> of Populous introduces a glass-fronted five-story atrium with bars, lounges, and two open \u2018party decks\u2019 overlooking the pitch. Future phases will redevelop the north, east, and west stands and introduce a public fan zone, another first for a French stadium, intended for community use throughout the week.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1162475 size-full lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" alt=\"watch how populous built the RC strasbourg stadium out of decommissioned aeroplanes\" width=\"818\" height=\"545\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/populous-airplane-bodies-sun-shading-facade-strasbourg-stadium-designboom-07.jpg\"  data- loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>Populous repurposes sections of decommissioned Airbus A340 fuselages | image courtesy of Populous and Getty Images<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1162473 size-full lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" alt=\"watch how populous built the RC strasbourg stadium out of decommissioned aeroplanes\" width=\"818\" height=\"545\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/populous-airplane-bodies-sun-shading-facade-strasbourg-stadium-designboom-05.jpg\"  data- loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>incorporating fuselage panels sourced from 30 retired aircraft<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1162470 size-full lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" alt=\"watch how populous built the RC strasbourg stadium out of decommissioned aeroplanes\" width=\"818\" height=\"545\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/populous-airplane-bodies-sun-shading-facade-strasbourg-stadium-designboom-02.jpg\"  data- loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>transforming aviation waste into a sun-shading system<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1162471 size-full lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" alt=\"watch how populous built the RC strasbourg stadium out of decommissioned aeroplanes\" width=\"818\" height=\"1091\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/populous-airplane-bodies-sun-shading-facade-strasbourg-stadium-designboom-03.jpg\"  data- loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>the stand is already hosting Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace matches<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1162469 size-full lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" alt=\"watch how populous built the RC strasbourg stadium out of decommissioned aeroplanes\" width=\"818\" height=\"545\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/populous-airplane-bodies-sun-shading-facade-strasbourg-stadium-designboom-01.jpg\"  data- loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>expected for completion in August 2026<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1162474 size-full lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" alt=\"watch how populous built the RC strasbourg stadium out of decommissioned aeroplanes\" width=\"818\" height=\"545\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/populous-airplane-bodies-sun-shading-facade-strasbourg-stadium-designboom-06.jpg\"  data- loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>the project aligns with Strasbourg\u2019s climate-conscious urban development | image courtesy of Populous and Getty Images<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1162476 size-full lazyload\" bad-src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" alt=\"watch how populous built the RC strasbourg stadium out of decommissioned aeroplanes\" width=\"818\" height=\"545\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/populous-airplane-bodies-sun-shading-facade-strasbourg-stadium-designboom-08.jpg\"  data- loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>future phases will redevelop the north, east, and west stands | image courtesy of Populous and Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>project info:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>name:<\/strong> Stade de la Meinau renovation<\/p>\n<p><strong>architect:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/populous.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Populous<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/wearepopulous\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">@wearepopulous<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>location:<\/strong> Strasbourg, France<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>local architect:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rca-a.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Rey-de-Cr\u00e9cy<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reydecrecy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">@reydecrecy<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>client:<\/strong> Eurom\u00e9tropole of Strasbourg with Ville de Strasbourg, R\u00e9gion Grand Est, Collectivit\u00e9 Europ\u00e9enne d\u2019Alsace, and Racing Club Strasbourg Alsace<\/p>\n<p><strong>completion:<\/strong> expected August 2026<\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"parts from 30 retired aircraft shape Populous\u2019 stadium facade \u00a0 Populous introduces a striking environmental innovation to Strasbourg\u2019s&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":162792,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[267],"tags":[11478,365,362,363,364,366,18,117,3486,19,17,53250,2375,10911,30525],"class_list":{"0":"post-162791","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arts-and-design","8":"tag-architecture-in-france","9":"tag-arts","10":"tag-arts-and-design","11":"tag-artsanddesign","12":"tag-artsdesign","13":"tag-design","14":"tag-eire","15":"tag-entertainment","16":"tag-facades","17":"tag-ie","18":"tag-ireland","19":"tag-populous","20":"tag-recycling","21":"tag-renovation-and-restoration-architecture-and-design","22":"tag-stadium-architecture-and-design"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/115492863876253440","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/162791","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=162791"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/162791\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/162792"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=162791"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=162791"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=162791"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}