Video | Unusual stadium renovation uses upcycled aircraft fuselages for façade

Lead architect Populous and local firm Rey-de-Crécy came up with the plan to use the fuselages, which come from 30 decommissioned Airbus A340 aircraft, on the €160 million project.

They are being used to create a unique sun shading system on the south-facing side of the Stade de la Meinau in Strasbourg, home of the Ligue 1 soccer team Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace.

Installation work of the fuselage sections is still underway, with Vinci and Demathieu Bard serving as main contractors on the project. The subcontractor responsible for the fuselage façade is Portugal-based steel construction specialist Blocotelha.

A new of the upcycled fuselages from inside the stadium (Image: Rey de Crecy/Populous)

The stadium was inaugurated in September and is already in use for RC Strasbourg matches.

The new South Stand involves a significant expansion, including new fan spaces and operational facilities around a glass-fronted five-storey atrium with new bars, hospitality lounges and two “party decks” overlooking the pitch.

Work continues with the renovation of the North, East and West stands, and the creation of a fan zone, which will be open to the community during the week.

Once work is fully complete in August 2026, the modernised value will have an increase capacity of 32,000 seats (up from 26,000).

Francois Clement, president of Populous France, said, “This project elevates the concept of sustainable stadium design and informs wider conversation on ways that upcycling and material reuse can enhance the sustainability of large-scale projects.

“The idea for the façade sunshade was originally conceived during the Covid-19 pandemic, when planes were almost entirely grounded and airlines resized their fleet and flight operations. Our 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.”

The overall stadium renovation project is led by the Eurométropole of Strasbourg and its partners – la Ville de Strasbourg, la Région Grand Est, la Collectivité Européenne d’Alsace and Racing Club Strasbourg Alsace.