WH Arena, Vienna

A state-of-the-art multifunctional arena is to be built for the city of Vienna, further strengthening the Austrian capital's importance as a cultural, conference and tourist attraction. The new landmark building will replace the ageing Stadthalle, which no longer meets today's technical requirements for large live events.

With its versatile and open-plan design, the new arena offers promoters maximum flexibility for events with up to 20,000 ticket holders. Our design responds to the diverse surroundings by introducing a raised plaza as a new layer in the city landscape. This inviting public square sits between the solid timber-hybrid construction of the arena and the filigree construction of the high-rise, the second urban landmark of the complex. Wide, generous staircases and ramps lead up to the plaza and continue upwards to the main entrances and the access points on the second level.

With its circular shape, the arena offers equal access from all sides and welcomes an inflow of visitors from every direction. We optimized the proportions of the thermal envelope relative to the interior volume to create attractive outdoor spaces that visitors can enjoy during intermission, before or after an event.

In response to the arena’s location by the A23, one of Europe’s busiest roads, we have designed the building as a green filter. Extensive façade greening not only converts the CO2 generated by traffic but also gives the architecture its distinctive appearance.

The climbing plants on the exterior, which flower all year round, are arranged in gradients with all of the colors of the rainbow. Besides the added design value, façade greening offers cooling properties, sound and wind protection and a welcome contrast to the area’s widespread soil sealing.