SC FREIBURG STADION Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
ack in 2015, a referendum saw the city of Freiburg decide to build a new stadium, which is part of a large urban scheme including new residential estates. The international tender for the stadium was won by HPP and Köster, who proposed a concept with simple yet distinctive architecture and a sound infrastructure - all below the initial estimates of 80-metres - 90-metres at 76-metres. Largely built using prefabricated elements, the Freiburg venue also includes diagonal ties and an imposing rectangular roof, ensuring that it doesn’t become lost as a indentikit stadium. The stadium will have a capacity of 35,000, with 36% of that figure dedicated to standing areas - particularly in the south stand, which will be one tier. The other stands, which will all have two tiers, will include 2,000 VIP seats. To reduce its carbon footprint, the stadium will use a heating system that cuts 550 tonnes of CO² per year. Its roof will also enable the creation of photovoltaic panels later into its operation. With these plans having been in place for a number of years, it seems a crucial decision from the city parliament means work could feasibly start in October 2018. Following a 90-minute debate, the city councillors voted in favour of the proposal. However, the project still needs to be approved by regional authorities, but this is expected to be met with a positive response, too.
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If all goes to plan, groundbreaking would start in early 2019, with final delivery still scheduled for 2020. If nothing stops the project, enabling works should start in October, then groundbreaking on the stadium itself would come in early 2019. That’s a slight delay compared to initial plans, but should not impede delivery in 2020, as expected. One thing to keep a close eye on is if opponents of the stadium file lawsuits against the city’s approval. The court would, of course, have to find these valid to put the project on hold. A thorough consultation process was carried out by the city in order to minimise the impact of the stadium to the surrounding area. For example, some noise pollution is expected, while lighting pollution would prevent ant aircraft landing at the nearby airport during games. It’s certainly one to keep a close eye on - SC Frieburg could have its impressive, new stadium in 2020.
