The entire renovation project is focused on sustainability. The greatest contribution is probably made by the consistent reuse of existing buildings and infrastructure and by preserving as much of the gray energy already built in as possible. The aim was to keep as many materials as possible in circulation and to reuse them throughout this modernization. In the case of the main stand, the team successfully reused nearly 100 percent of the demolished concrete within the stadium. In collaboration with structural engineers schlaich bergermann partner, the planning and tendering for the shell construction was already geared towards CO₂-reduced recycled concrete.

Through collaboration with the regional demolition company Feess and the concrete supplier SCHWENK Beton, the executing company Ed. Züblin AG was able to ecologically reintegrate the concrete from the demolished stand back into the stadium. This meant that the demolition waste could be recycled into resource-saving concrete just a few kilometers away from the stadium at Stuttgart Harbour. This approach is particularly relevant for a construction project with such high demands on concrete quality, as this type is not standardized and requires individual approval for use. The concrete is type CEM III, whose CO2 savings result from the use of clinker-reduced cement as an aggregate. Other components and materials that could no longer be reused on site were catalogued by the start-up Concular, resold via its platform, and thus kept in circulation.

The sustainable aspect of the MHP Arena does not end with the construction measures. The architects designed systems to close cycles in future operations as well. For example, waste heat from cooling systems was utilized. In addition, the floodlights were converted to LED technology and a large kitchen was installed, where meals are prepared using regional products.
Part of the sustainability concept also includes the architects’ design of the new main stand as a conference and event center, which allows the extensive infrastructure to be utilized far beyond pure football and sports events. This greatly increases the level of stadium occupancy and transforms it into a multifunctional experience venue.

What makes the MHP Arena unique is not only that it now features Germany’s first Tunnel Club. Its distinguishing features also include being the only arena in Europe into which architects have subsequently integrated a multi-purpose hall. The SCHARRena is located in the Untertürkheim curve under the stands and was also designed by asp Architekten in 2011. The team designed it for international, national, regional, and local sporting events, providing capacity for up to 2,250 spectators. A cantilevered structure and fully glazed access grant it a unique architectural character.

The textile membrane roof of the MHP Arena was also the first of its kind in Europe. The design team also pioneered technical innovations: they installed what was then Germany’s first full-matrix video display board in color technology.