The aim of the competition is to design a state-of-the-art multifunctional arena for Vienna that will increase the Austrian capital’s appeal as a destination for culture, large-scale events and tourism. The new arena will become part of the city’s architectural identity and, unlike the somewhat dated Wiener Stadthalle that it will replace, meet all of the technical requirements for the large-scale live events of today.

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.

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. The design complies with the development plan’s sustainability specifications through the use of renewable energies in the interior and the use of hybrid timber-concrete construction for the multi-tiered stands.