25.08.2026

Reinforced Concrete Ribbed Slab: Properties, Types, and Uses

Building design

A modern apartment building with balconies against a cloudy sky. Photo: hiroyanakashi / Unsplash

A reinforced concrete ribbed slab is far more than just a load-bearing structure: It is one of the most ingeniously designed solutions that civil engineering has developed to address the trade-offs between material efficiency, load-bearing capacity, and interior design. By absorbing the bending moment through the strategic arrangement of ribs and webs, it saves concrete and weight where neither is needed, and concentrates material and reinforcement precisely where the forces are applied. Anyone who understands how a ribbed slab works understands a fundamental principle of modern reinforced concrete construction.

What a reinforced concrete ribbed slab is and how it differs from other types of slabs
The load-bearing capacity and bending mechanics behind the ribbed principle
What the main types of ribbed slabs are and how they differ structurally
Which materials, standards, and design rules are relevant for ribbed slabs
In which building types and span lengths ribbed slabs are typically used
What design possibilities and limitations are associated with exposed ribbed slabs
What are the advantages and disadvantages of ribbed slabs compared to flat slabs and hollow-core slabs
What common design and construction errors occur with ribbed slabs and how to avoid them

Definition and Basic Principle: What Is a Reinforced Concrete Ribbed Slab?

A reinforced concrete ribbed slab is a ceiling structure made of reinforced concrete in which the load-bearing capacity is not achieved by a continuous, uniform concrete slab, but rather by a system of slender, reinforced ribs connected to a thin compression slab on top. The ribs absorb the flexural tensile forces in the lower part of the cross-section, while the compression slab absorbs the compressive forces in the upper part. In between lies air or a lightweight fill material, which is largely structurally inactive. This principle directly follows the theory of bending: In a structural member subjected to bending, the greatest forces are concentrated in the edge fibers—that is, at the top and bottom—while the central zone contributes hardly at all to the load-bearing capacity.

The term “ribbed slab” refers to an entire family of related structures that all share the same basic principle but differ significantly in geometry, manufacturing method, and scope of application. The common feature is always the T-shaped or double-T-shaped cross-section: a wide, thin slab at the top (the compression flange) and one or more slender webs at the bottom (the ribs) that accommodate the tensile reinforcement. Compared to a solid cross-section of the same height, this cross-section is significantly lighter while offering comparable flexural stiffness and load-bearing capacity. This is precisely the structural advantage that has made the reinforced concrete ribbed slab a preferred solution for medium to large spans for decades.

A ribbed slab differs from a simple solid slab—that is, a continuous reinforced concrete slab of constant thickness—in its deliberate reduction of material in the tension zone and in the web area. It differs from a hollow-core slab—in which hollow cores made of clay, concrete, or plastic fill the compression zone—in that the spaces between the ribs either remain open or are filled with lightweight, non-load-bearing infill materials. The hollow-core slab is, in a sense, a special type of ribbed slab in which the geometry is determined by the infill material. In practice, both designs are often grouped under the umbrella term “ribbed slab,” although they differ in construction and detailed design.

Load-bearing Capacity and Bending Mechanics: Why the Ribbed Principle Works

Understanding reinforced concrete ribbed slabs begins with the principles of bending. When a slab is loaded by its own weight and live loads, a bending moment is generated within it, which creates a stress distribution across the cross-section: compressive stresses in the upper half and tensile stresses in the lower half. Concrete is a material that can withstand compressive forces very well but can hardly withstand tensile forces. For this reason, the tensile zone is reinforced with steel reinforcement, which absorbs the tensile forces. The concrete in the tension zone below the neutral axis is considered cracked in structural calculations and contributes nothing to the structural capacity. From a purely structural standpoint, it is superfluous.

The ribbed slab draws the logical conclusion from this insight: It largely eliminates the structurally useless concrete in the tension zone and retains only as much material as is necessary for shear force transfer, reinforcement bonding, and structural integrity. The ribs are the webs that encase the reinforcing bars and transfer the shear forces from the support to the center of the span. The top compression slab is dimensioned to fully cover the compression zone while also acting as a plate to resist horizontal loads. The result is a cross-section that achieves the same load-bearing capacity as a solid slab with significantly less concrete and dead weight.

The same principles apply to the design of a reinforced concrete ribbed slab as to any reinforced concrete cross-section, supplemented by specific provisions for T-beams and ribbed cross-sections. The Eurocodes, in particular EN 1992-1-1 (Eurocode 2, Design of Reinforced Concrete and Prestressed Concrete Structures), contain the relevant verification methods. The effective slab width is a key concept here: Since the compression slab is wider than the rib, only a limited portion of the slab is considered effective in the design, because the shear stresses in the slab cannot distribute the compressive forces across arbitrary widths. This effective width depends on the span, the rib geometry, and the load configuration, and is regulated by standards.

Types of Reinforced Concrete Ribbed Slabs: An Overview of Structural Varieties

In practice, reinforced concrete ribbed slabs come in several structurally different variants, each optimized for specific spans, loads, and construction conditions.

Cast-in-Place Ribbed Slab

The classic cast-in-place ribbed slab is poured entirely on-site within formwork. The formwork shapes the ribs and the compression slab in a single operation; after the concrete has cured, the formwork is removed, and the ribbed structure remains visible or is clad. This construction method allows for great design flexibility in terms of rib spacing, rib width, and rib height, but requires extensive formwork and careful placement of reinforcement. For large spans or irregular floor plans, the cast-in-place ribbed slab is often the most flexible solution because it can be adapted to virtually any geometry.

A key detail in cast-in-place ribbed slabs is the design of the support areas. Where the ribs rest on joists or walls, shear forces must be reliably transferred. Often, the ribs are widened in the support area—forming so-called corbels—or the rib spacing is reduced to increase the shear capacity. The stirrup reinforcement of the ribs—that is, the arrangement of stirrup reinforcement to absorb shear forces and secure the longitudinal reinforcement—must also be executed with particular care in these areas.

Precast Ribbed Slabs and Semi-Precast Slabs

Precast ribbed slabs are prefabricated in a factory and assembled on-site. They are available on the market as complete slab elements with defined rib geometry, as I-beams (also known as I-beams or DT slabs), or as filigree slabs. Filigree slabs, also known as semi-precast slabs, consist of a thin reinforced concrete slab manufactured in the factory with protruding lattice girders, which serve as permanent formwork on the construction site and, after the in-situ concrete layer is poured, interact with it to form a monolithic composite cross-section. The lattice girders perform the function of ribs in terms of shear force transfer between the precast layer and the poured concrete.

Double-T slabs made of prestressed concrete are a particularly high-performance option for large spans, such as those found in industrial buildings, parking garages, and sports arenas. Thanks to prestressing, spans of twenty meters or more can be economically spanned, with a dead weight that is significantly lower than that of a comparable solid slab. Prestressing—that is, the deliberate application of compressive forces to the concrete before the live load is applied—compensates for the concrete’s tensile weakness and allows for slender, long-span cross-sections.

Beam-and-beam Slab and Ribbed Slab with Filler Elements

Another variant is the ribbed slab with infill elements, in which the spaces between the ribs are filled with lightweight materials such as pumice, expanded clay, aerated concrete, brick, or plastic. These infill elements do not contribute to the structural load-bearing capacity but serve as permanent formwork during concrete placement, improve the ceiling’s thermal and sound insulation, and allow for a smooth underside that does not require elaborate finishing. In German building tradition, hollow bricks were widely used as infill material between reinforced concrete ribs; this construction is known as a steel-brick ceiling or brick-ribbed ceiling and was particularly ubiquitous in postwar residential construction.

The beam ceiling is a special type in which the ribs are spaced so far apart that they are perceived more as independent beams. The compression slab between the beams is then a separate slab supported on the beams. Strictly speaking, this construction is a beam-and-slab system, but in practice it is often treated together with the ribbed slab because the basic structural principles are identical.

Applications and Typical Spans

Reinforced concrete ribbed slabs are found in a wide range of building types. In residential construction, they were used extensively, particularly in the second half of the twentieth century, when the rationalization of construction and the availability of precast components favored the widespread adoption of standardized ribbed slab systems. Today, in multi-story residential construction, they have been somewhat supplanted by filigree slabs and solid slabs, but they remain a sensible choice for larger spans and when there are specific requirements for material efficiency.

In industrial, commercial, and parking garage construction, the ribbed slab—particularly in the form of prestressed concrete double-T slabs—remains one of the preferred solutions. Spans between ten and twenty meters, such as those found in factory buildings, warehouses, and parking garages, can be realized quickly and cost-effectively using precast prestressed ribbed slabs. Installation is rapid because the elements are manufactured in the factory under controlled conditions and need only be hoisted into place and connected on the construction site.

The ribbed principle is also applied in bridge construction, in the form of slab beams and box girders that utilize related cross-sectional principles. Ribbed slabs are also a common choice in industrial building construction, grandstands, and auditoriums, as well as in underground parking garages and the basements of office buildings, because they allow for large column-free spans while minimizing the structure’s dead load. The latter is advantageous not only for structural reasons but also because it reduces the loads on foundations and the substructure, which can result in significant cost savings when dealing with difficult soil conditions.

The following conditions are particularly favorable for choosing a ribbed slab: large spans without intermediate supports, high live loads combined with low dead weight, requirements for in-slab utility routing, and design intentions that incorporate a visible ribbed structure. On the other hand, irregular floor plans with many recesses, very high sound insulation requirements (because the lower mass of the ribbed ceiling compared to a solid slab provides poorer impact sound insulation), and situations where a flat underside without cladding is required are arguments against using a ribbed ceiling.

Design and Aesthetics: The Exposed Ribbed Ceiling as an Architectural Element

The reinforced concrete ribbed ceiling has not only a technical but also a design dimension. Exposed ribbed slabs significantly shape the character of a space: The rhythmic sequence of ribs and infill panels creates a tectonic order that structures the space while simultaneously making the structural logic of the framework immediately apparent. This honesty of construction was a central concern of modern architecture, and many significant buildings of the twentieth century feature exposed ribbed slabs as a deliberate design element.

Auguste Perret, the French pioneer of reinforced concrete construction, used the exposed ribbed structure in his buildings as an expression of a new architectural language appropriate to the material. Pier Luigi Nervi developed his own formal language based on the rib principle, in which the ribs were arranged not parallel to one another but along the lines of force, resulting in the characteristic fan-shaped or net-like ceiling structures of his sports arenas and exhibition buildings. These so-called isostatic ribbed ceilings, in which the rib patterns follow the main stress trajectories, are highlights of an engineering art that inextricably links structural necessity and aesthetic impact.

In contemporary architecture, the exposed ribbed ceiling is experiencing something of a renaissance, particularly in the context of raw-concrete aesthetics and industrial-style interiors. Office buildings, cultural facilities, and educational institutions feature exposed concrete ribbed ceilings that require carefully planned formwork patterns, precise joint alignment, and a high-quality concrete surface. The effort required to create a high-quality exposed concrete ribbed ceiling is considerable: The formwork must be dimensionally accurate and airtight, the rebar spacers must ensure the required concrete cover, and the concrete itself must be tailored to the requirements of exposed concrete in terms of composition, placement, and curing. Relevant codes and standards, such as the DBV Technical Bulletin on Exposed Concrete, provide guidance for design and construction.

Standards, Design, and Common Design Errors

In Germany and Europe, the design of reinforced concrete ribbed slabs is carried out in accordance with Eurocode 2 (EN 1992-1-1) in conjunction with the national application document. For precast elements, the standards EN 1168 (prestressed hollow-core slabs) and EN 13747 (precast slabs with in-situ concrete infill) also apply, as well as the general building authority approvals from the respective manufacturers. The design includes verification of the flexural capacity, shear capacity, serviceability (deflection, crack width), and, for prestressed concrete structures, verification against stress exceeding limits and fatigue.

A common design error in ribbed slabs involves underestimating deflection. Slender rib cross-sections tend to undergo significant deformation under service loads when spanning large distances, especially if the creep deformation of the concrete over the service life is not sufficiently accounted for. Creep deformation occurs because concrete continues to deform slowly under sustained loads; in a ribbed slab with a large span, the long-term deflection can be many times greater than the short-term deflection under initial loading. Standard limit values for deflections, as specified by Eurocode 2, must therefore be verified taking the creep coefficient into account.

Another critical issue is the design of the shear reinforcement in the ribs. Slender ribs with a narrow width leave little room for stirrup reinforcement; if the stirrup spacing is set too wide or the stirrup geometry is not carefully matched to the rib width, the shear capacity may be undershot without this becoming apparent in the bending design. Careful detailed design is essential, particularly in the support area, where the shear forces are greatest. The composite anchorage of the longitudinal reinforcement at the support—that is, the sufficient embedment length of the reinforcement bars behind the support—must also be verified in accordance with standards.

In the case of filigree slabs and semi-precast slabs, the shear joint between the precast layer and the topping concrete is a particularly sensitive area. If the bond joint is not sufficiently roughened, the grid girders are not correctly sized, or the overlay concrete is not carefully compacted, bond failure may occur, causing the two layers to no longer function monolithically together. This failure is generally not detectable by external signs until significant damage has already occurred. Careful supervision of construction and adherence to the manufacturer’s specifications are therefore particularly important for semi-precast slabs.

Sound Insulation, Thermal Insulation, and Structural Characteristics

From a building physics perspective, the reinforced concrete ribbed slab poses specific challenges that must be taken into account early in the design phase. Sound insulation—particularly impact sound insulation—is generally poorer in ribbed slabs compared to solid slabs because the mass per unit area of the slab is lower. Sound insulation in building construction is largely determined by the mass of the structural element: Heavier slabs provide better insulation against airborne and impact noise. A ribbed slab with open spaces between the ribs has a significantly lower mass per unit area than a solid slab of the same height. For residential construction, where DIN 4109 sets minimum requirements for sound insulation, the mass of the ribbed ceiling must therefore either be increased by using infill material or a concrete overlay, or a suitable floating screed must be provided for impact sound insulation.

When it comes to thermal insulation, the situation is more nuanced. Ribbed slabs that function as exterior building elements—that is, as roof slabs or as slabs above unheated spaces—must meet the requirements of the Building Energy Act (GEG). The heat transfer coefficients (U-values) of such slabs depend on the geometry of the ribs, the infill material, and any additional insulation layer. For ribbed ceilings with fillers made of insulation material, the U-value can be significantly improved compared to a solid concrete ceiling. For open ribbed ceilings without fillers, an additional insulation layer is generally essential.

Thermal bridges at the rib supports and at connection points to exterior walls must be carefully planned. Particularly with precast slabs resting on exterior walls, the thermal bridge effect at the support zone can be significant and lead to localized temperature drops on the interior side of the exterior wall, which carries a risk of condensation. Thermally separated support details, in which an insulation layer is inserted between the floor support and the exterior wall, are the structurally correct solution in such situations.

The Reinforced Concrete Ribbed Slab in the Context of Modern Design

The reinforced concrete ribbed slab is not a relic of bygone construction methods, but a vibrant structural form that has firmly established its place in contemporary building practice. Its strengths lie where material efficiency, span, and load-bearing capacity must be in balance: in industrial and commercial construction, in parking garages, in educational buildings, and wherever large, column-free areas are required. Advances in design methods, precast technology, and concrete mixes have significantly increased the performance of ribbed slabs over the past decades.

At the same time, ribbed slabs present designers with specific challenges that require a careful examination of structural behavior, building physics, and detail design. Anyone designing a reinforced concrete ribbed slab must understand the interaction between the ribs and the compression slab, carefully analyze the shear force transfer in the support areas, realistically estimate deflection under long-term loads, and incorporate the building physics implications of the lower mass compared to a solid slab into the design. This complexity is not a disadvantage, but rather an expression of the structural depth that distinguishes a ribbed slab from a simple slab.

The design quality of an exposed ribbed slab—the tectonic clarity with which it harmonizes strength and form—has fascinated architects from Perret to Nervi and right up to the present day. This fascination is not a sentimental look back, but a recognition of the principle that good architecture arises from an understanding of—and the honest expression of—structural logic. A reinforced concrete ribbed slab—carefully planned, precisely executed, and thoughtfully designed—embodies this principle in a special way: it demonstrates how civil engineering and architecture can draw from the same source.

23.01.2026

Architecture

Signal Iduna Park: architecture meets urban stadium art

Building design

woman-text-on-glass-pane-eU-Mx-rjyC0 — Woman text on glass in the Xie Zilong Photography Museum, Changsha. Photo by K Hsu.

Signal Iduna Park: a legend made of concrete, steel and passion – and a lesson in urban stadium art that is much more than just soccer architecture. Anyone talking about the future of large public buildings cannot ignore Dortmund’s soccer temple. Why? Because it combines urban planning vision, digital transformation and sustainable architecture in one stadium – and because every architect who plans stadiums today must be measured against this unique building.

Signal Iduna Park is the largest stadium in Germany and the epitome of modern stadium architecture.
The evolution from a pure soccer arena to an urban multifunctional venue is a textbook example of contemporary urban planning.
Digital technologies and AI-supported tools are revolutionizing operations, security and the fan experience.
Sustainability remains both a challenge and a driver of innovation – from energy efficiency to the circular economy.
Today, planners and operators need far more than just floor plan knowledge: Data competence, process understanding and the courage to have visions.
The discussion about commercialization, identity and urbanity is shaping the architectural debate surrounding stadiums.
Signal Iduna Park is an example of the global transformation of sports venues into urban hubs.
The future lies in integrative, digital and resilient stadium concepts – with Dortmund as a blueprint.

Stadium architecture today: between goosebumps and infrastructure machine

Anyone standing in Signal Iduna Park for the first time immediately senses that it’s not just about soccer. The concentrated energy of the “Yellow Wall” has long since become a symbol for a new generation of stadiums. But while fans celebrate ecstatically, planners, architects and operators have completely different tasks to deal with. In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, stadium architecture has matured in recent decades from a pure sports venue to an urban infrastructure machine. The days of pure concrete bowls are over. Today, a stadium has to be multifunctional, permeable and integrated into the urban space. Signal Iduna Park shows how a building not only creates identity, but also functions as an urban hotspot – from an event space to a mobility hub.

Technical development is progressing rapidly. Modern arenas have long since become networked ecosystems in which digital control, security technology, building automation and visitor analytics go hand in hand. In Dortmund, the stadium has been repeatedly expanded, adapted and technically upgraded over the decades – from the renovation of the stands to the integration of digital access systems and high-speed WiFi for 80,000 people. This is not a luxury, but the standard for large-scale urban buildings, which must function as catalysts for urban development. The trend is similar in Austria and Switzerland, albeit often on a smaller scale and with greater integration into the respective urban landscape. The fundamental challenge remains: How can architecture, technology and urban society be successfully combined in a stadium project?

Signal Iduna Park is not only an architectural focus, but also a social laboratory. New forms of fan participation, mobility concepts and even neighborhood dialogues are being tested here. A stadium as a city in miniature is a reality in Dortmund. But not all that glitters is gold: the debate about commercialization, noise protection, traffic flows and sustainability is in full swing. While cities such as Munich or Basel think of new stadiums as urban development projects, Dortmund remains a pioneer for emotional identity and urban density. The big question: how can this balance between myth and machine also be ensured in future buildings?

Today, planners are faced with the task of designing far more than just grandstands. It is about quality of stay, integration into the urban context, sustainable choice of materials and technical resilience. Signal Iduna Park provides numerous blueprints for this: from the design of the fan curves to traffic logistics and flexible event areas. The architectural debate always revolves around the question of how much stadium a district can take – and how much city a stadium needs. The answer lies somewhere between urban planning courage and technical finesse.

In Switzerland, for example, new arenas are often part of larger development areas; in Austria, small but fine stadiums shape the local identity. But an international comparison shows: Anyone who understands stadium architecture as part of urban transformation inevitably ends up in Dortmund. There, stadium construction is becoming an art form – with all the opportunities and risks for urban planners, architects and investors.

Digital transformation: when the stadium becomes a smart arena

Signal Iduna Park is not only physically impressive, but also a digital pioneer. While soccer fans are still discussing the VAR, planners have long been working with digital twins, AI-supported visitor control and real-time data. In practice, this means that sensor technology measures visitor flows, controls air conditioning and optimizes security concepts. Digitalization turns the stadium into a learning system that can react flexibly to weather, capacity and threats. Such smart stadium approaches are still rare in Germany and Switzerland, but they are becoming the new standard. Dortmund shows how digital tools not only make operations more efficient, but also personalize the experience for visitors.

A look behind the scenes reveals: Where a stadium attendant with a bunch of keys used to rule, AI systems now monitor access control, fire safety and escape routes. Predictive maintenance, i.e. the predictive maintenance of building technology, has long been part of everyday life. Energy requirements, water consumption and waste volumes are analyzed and optimized in real time. This saves costs and resources – and increases reliability during operation. For architects and operators, this means a new form of responsibility: they must not only build, but also think digitally. The necessary expertise ranges from data analysis to IT security.

Digitalization also opens up new scope for sustainability. Intelligent control systems adapt lighting, heating and ventilation to actual needs. Smart mobility solutions guide travel, reduce emissions and relieve the burden on the neighborhood. Dortmund was an early adopter of digital visitor guidance, mobile ticketing systems and automated access control – a model that is now also being copied in Vienna and Zurich. The trick is to dovetail technology and architecture in such a way that they reinforce each other. Not everything that is digital is automatically better. But without digitalization, a stadium is simply no longer up to date.

Of course, there are also risks. Dependence on IT infrastructure, data protection issues and the danger of technocratic overcontrol are real challenges. Critics warn of the transparent fan, algorithmic discrimination and the commercialization of experience data. Architects and operators are called upon to ensure transparency and control. Signal Iduna Park relies on openness and dialog – an approach that should set a precedent. Because only if fans, the city and operators work together to build the digital future will the stadium remain a space for experiences and not just a data mine.

Ultimately, the digital transformation is turning the stadium into an urban hub that extends far beyond sport. Anyone shaping this transformation must think about technology, space and people together – and keep asking themselves who actually owns the new stadium. Dortmund has found a pretty clear answer to this question: It belongs to everyone who fills it with life.

Sustainability and the circular economy: from energy guzzler to green role model?

Stadiums have long been regarded as ecological problem cases. Huge concrete buildings, high emissions, energy wastage – the image was bad, the reality often even worse. But Signal Iduna Park is an example of how sustainability and stadium construction can go hand in hand today. Even during the numerous extensions and conversions, the planners focused on resource-saving materials, reuse and energy efficiency. Photovoltaic systems, rainwater harvesting and intelligent building technology have long been standard. In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, such measures are now mandatory – but Dortmund remains a reference point for innovative solutions.

A central topic is the circular economy. Signal Iduna Park demonstrates how components can be replaced on a modular basis, resources recovered and building materials recycled. This is not only ecologically sensible, but also economically attractive. Anyone planning stadiums today has to keep an eye on the entire life cycle: from the choice of materials to the construction phase and dismantling. This is where technical expertise pays off. Architects, civil engineers and operators need a deep understanding of sustainable building materials, energy and waste management and the integration of renewable energies.

The challenges are enormous: a stadium is an energy guzzler if it is operated incorrectly. Only intelligent concepts that combine architecture, technology and user behavior can effectively reduce emissions and resource consumption. In Dortmund, LED technology, efficient heating systems and sustainable mobility concepts were implemented early on. Cooperation with the city, local companies and research institutions creates synergies that extend far beyond the stadium walls. In this way, Signal Iduna Park is becoming a testing ground for urban sustainability.

Of course, there is also criticism. The construction of new stadiums still devours vast amounts of raw materials, and the “green stadium” often remains a marketing promise. But the trend is clear: without sustainability, there will be no more acceptance – neither from urban society nor from fans or investors. The pressure is growing to deliver real innovations instead of just collecting certificates. The discussion is similar in Austria and Switzerland, where sustainability is often considered on a smaller scale, with a focus on regional value creation and social integration.

A look at Signal Iduna Park shows this: Sustainability is not an add-on, but an integral part of modern stadium architecture. Anyone planning today must minimize the ecological footprint and break new ground in the process. From urban farming on the stadium roof to zero-emission operation – the visions are there. The challenge now is to implement them without losing the myth of the stadium.

Architectural discourse and global debates: How much city can a stadium take?

Signal Iduna Park not only stands for architecture, but also for a heated debate: How much city is actually in the stadium – and how much stadium does the city need? While in other countries mega arenas are built as solitary structures on greenfield sites, Dortmund focuses on integration, identity and urbanity. The stadium is part of urban life, a transportation hub, a meeting place and a symbol of cohesion. This fusion of architecture and urban development is causing a stir internationally. Similar concepts are being discussed in Vienna, Basel and Zurich, but Dortmund remains a defining style.

Criticism of the commercialization of stadiums is omnipresent. Naming rights, VIP boxes, event areas – the balance between economic success and social responsibility is a constant balancing act. Signal Iduna Park shows that identity and authenticity are also possible in a commercially used stadium. The architecture plays its part in this: Visual axes, open facades, flexible use and the famous standing grandstand as a haven for fan culture. Such elements are not a minor matter, but the core of modern stadium art.

Digitalization and sustainability bring new challenges to the architectural discourse. What happens when algorithms decide on admission, security and comfort? How much technology can the stadium experience tolerate without dehumanizing it? And how can ecological and social goals be reconciled with economic requirements? Signal Iduna Park is a laboratory for these questions – it shows that innovation and authenticity need not be a contradiction in terms. But it also shows that it takes courage to break new ground.

Internationally, people look to Dortmund. FIFA, UEFA and numerous architecture firms use the stadium as a reference for competitions, studies and research projects. The global debate is increasingly revolving around urban integration, flexibility and resilience. Today, stadiums have to be able to do more than just play soccer: they are event spaces, mobility hubs, green lungs and social meeting places. Signal Iduna Park embodies this development in a unique way.

The question remains: What will the stadium of the future look like? Modular, digital, sustainable and open to all – these are the industry buzzwords. Dortmund is well on the way to making this vision a reality. Any architect, planner or operator who wants to be an international player today cannot ignore the lessons learned in the Ruhr region. Signal Iduna Park is more than just a stadium – it is a statement for urban stadium art in the 21st century.

Conclusion: Signal Iduna Park as a blueprint for the stadium architecture of tomorrow

Signal Iduna Park is not a relic, but a laboratory for the future of urban stadium art. Here, architecture, technology and urban society merge to create a unique experience that goes far beyond soccer. Digitalization, sustainability and urban integration are no longer options, but a must for all those who build stadiums today – in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and worldwide. Anyone who studies Signal Iduna Park learns that stadium construction is more than just engineering. It is about identity, community and the ability to rethink the city. The arena in Dortmund thus remains both a benchmark and a reminder: you can build a stadium as a machine – or as a work of art for the city. The choice is ours.

30.11.2024

Portrait

“Enthusiasm, team spirit, courage and willingness to learn.”

Building design

The founders of AllesWirdGut Architektur are Friedrich Passler

Four students, three cities, four offices – every year, the Baumeister Academy sends talented architecture students to work in renowned offices. But who is actually behind it and what do the architects get out of our program? We ask: this time at AllesWirdGut Architektur, who took part in the Baumeister Academy for the first time in 2019. Franzisca Rainalter is already in the starting blocks, her […]

Our Academy winner Franzisca Rainalter starts her six-month internship at AWG on September 1st. If you could/had to do an internship in an office again today. Where would you go?
Definitely to AllesWirdGut – to Vienna or Munich!

And why should you go to AWG?
In addition to a varied insight into the world of work and everyday architecture, we also offer all interns the opportunity to improve their own cooking skills. In addition to working in the various project teams, one of the tasks is to support our cook in the canteen for a week ata time. In addition to healthy, home-cooked food, you will also receive valuable tips on how to use a knife and fork!

The internship is also a good opportunity to introduce yourself to us and the office, to prove yourself and to make a lasting impression. For us, these six months offer an excellent opportunity to get to know good and talented students better – we are happy to make use of this when looking for and acquiring future employees.
Many in our team started as interns/volunteers and have returned to our team as employees after completing their studies and are now a permanent part of our team.

This is your first time at the Baumeister Academy. Why are you taking part?
Because we believe that the Academy creates a win-win situation for both sides and because we hope to get to know and appreciate excellent new people along the way.

What do you expect from your trainees?
Enthusiasm, team spirit, courage and a willingness to learn.

Can the absolute beginners, those who have just come from university and are starting in your office, do anything? What do they lack?
Beginners are characterized by a certain naivety and impartiality in their approach to projects and problems. We really appreciate that!
One of our office’s recipes for success has always been that we look for unconventional solutions and are certainly not satisfied with the first answer and solution that comes along – another reason why we never wanted to specialize in one area or typology with our office and work in as broad a field as possible.

“It’s always been like this, it has to be like this again” is a killer of any progress and any design concept. That’s why we also see problems as potential – because they force us to break out of established and familiar thought patterns.
Solutions and concepts are discussed with the respective project teams in weekly workshops. Everyone can contribute to this discussion and help shape it directly and immediately – in the end, it’s all about working out and honing the best idea, and we don’t care whether this idea is put forward by a senior architect or an intern.

“Definitely nine-to-five – or even shorter if we can get the ideas down on paper faster!”

Are you more the “nine-to-five” type or more the “eleven-to-midnight” type? And what about overtime in the office?
Definitely nine-to-five – or even shorter if you can get the ideas down on paper faster!
We have largely flexible working hours and are certainly not workaholics (anymore). Of course, there are deadlines, deadlines and the occasional pressure of deadlines, where things can get longer – but any overtime is compensated for at short notice.
Ideas and creativity require periods of relaxation and plenty of time to be inspired. This doesn’t happen if we just sit at a desk or behind a computer.

What caused the last big argument?
The great thing about our office partnership is that we haven’t had a big argument in 20 years. Of course, we discuss a lot and don’t always agree – but in what is now our “longest relationship”, we have always been able to agree on major decisions without arguing or voting. That is certainly a stroke of luck!

Generalist or specialist? What does a young architect need to be today?
Generalist and all-rounder!

“When we founded our office 20 years ago as fresh graduates, we couldn’t have imagined in our wildest dreams where we are today with our 80-strong team.”

What has been your greatest success?
AllesWirdGut!
When we jumped in at the deep end 20 years ago as fresh graduates straight out of university, inexperienced and naïve, and founded our office, we could never have imagined where we are today with our 80-strong team. And we are looking forward to developing this further.

You’ve been in the architecture business for a long time. Is there anything that can still surprise you today?
An open and enthusiastic counterpart (client, craftsmen, etc.), who is open to ideas and concepts, surprises us again and again – but at the same time it is also the stroke of luck that makes us still passionate about designing and building.

Your tip for budding architects?
Open your eyes and ears – and get out into the world!

The Baumeister Academy is an internship project of the architecture magazine Baumeister and is supported by GRAPHISOFT and BAU 2019.