The new VfB athletics hall was built in NeckarPark in a record time of just eight months. From the outside, the resources-efficient timber construction evokes a sense of solidity, while inside it offers a state-of-the-art focus and training facility for VfB Stuttgart’s professional players.

A lot has happened at NeckarPark, the home of VfB Stuttgart, in the past year. Following the extensive modernization of the MHP Arena in preparation for UEFA 2024, the new athletics hall was recently completed, just a stone’s throw away. Where training took place for years in a temporary solution made up of containers, there is now a modern wooden building that ties in with the design of the youth training centre right next door.

VfB Stuttgart had deliberately asked for a building that would be sustainable and, in a way, rough and less prestigious: The spruce timber construction remains exposed, with minimal colour accents on the exterior. Thanks to a high degree of prefabrication, it was possible to construct the lightweight timber structure within just a few months. During the design phase, consideration was given to future dismantling, and particular emphasis was placed on maximising the use of environmentally friendly building materials: All materials are resource-efficient, separable and safe for humans and the environment. For example, the cavities were insulated with cellulose made from recycled paper. The level of insulation exceeds the legal requirements by far. The roof was extensively greened and fitted with PV modules. The energy supply is supported by a heat pump.

From the outside, the athletics hall features a façade made of pre-greyed larch slats and external sun shading. Depending on the angle and daylight, dark red facade strips shimmer through behind them – a reference to the red, curved slats of the youth training centre and the club colours of VfB Stuttgart. The interior also features a lot of wood, with special elements made of MDF boards imbued in red as well as a concrete wall, which also functions as a training element, setting accents.

The cubature of the athletics hall is kept simple and balances the height differences resulting from the topography. The rectangular building structure is divided into two rather enclosed areas and a transparent centre, which offers a view of the training grounds directly in front of it. The left side of the building houses a multi-purpose space, while the right side is home to the so-called altitude room, where oxygen can be reduced and heat added for special training sessions. Directly above, like a gallery, is the yoga hall. A large, open space, most of which is reserved for regeneration. It also houses a skills court for reaction and speed training. An office space for the trainers was arranged on the opposite side of the building.

On the upper floor, generous glazing provides a view into the gym. It offers plenty of space for cardio training. Fully glazed walls also allow lines of sight from the inside to the outside and vice versa, ensuring a constant connection between the players on the training pitches and those inside the building. Inside, bicycles are lined up in front of the window front, behind which stretches a 30-meter-long sprint track made of black artificial turf. A large wooden step bridges the height differences caused by the topography and also serves as a training device for players.

Similar to the colour and material design, the lighting concept has also been kept in a rather raw and industrial look. In the cardio area, for example, indoor spotlights were installed, while the gym features very robust-looking tubular lights that highlight the sprint track. To emphasise the minimalist, simple look of the athletics hall, the designers took care to integrate the technology into the walls or stairs. Some of the technical equipment is housed in the basement. However, in order to minimise excavation and the amount of concrete used, the building does not have a full basement.