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Copenhagen-based architecture studio 3XN has won a design competition for a new sports arena in Munich's Olympic Park. To be carried out in partnership with landscape architects Latz+Planner, the 11,500-seat venue will become the home of hockey's Munich Red Bulls and basketball's FC Bayern Munich.
The oval-shaped Sportsarena Olympiapark pays respect to Günter Behnisch's and Frei Otto's original vision of the site and also adopts elements from the Radstadion, the velodrome that was demolished in 2015 to make way for the new arena. The organic architectural landscape of the park is referenced in the asymmetry of the building and its green roof, a feature found in abundance throughout the site. The overarching design principle, says 3XN, echoes the "Olympic Games in the Green" motto that defined the 1972 Summer Olympics.
"Throughout the design process we have consistently sought to consider and understand the thinking that shaped the original design often pausing to ask ourselves, what would Günter Behnisch have done," said Jan Ammundsen, senior partner and head of design at 3XN. "It was important for us to create a flexible and versatile arena with a strong identity that shows respect towards the history and vision of Olympiapark."
The scheme also includes three canopied training rinks to be built next to the main bowl of the sports arena. Under a special agreement with the City of Munich, the ice rinks will be available to residents for 8,000 hours every season, opening up learning opportunities for schools, clubs and the general public.
Construction is scheduled to begin later this year with completion expected in the late summer of 2021.
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