The SAP Garden in Munich

Here’s to good neigh­bor­liness

 

 

3XN

The SAP Garden is a state-of-the-art, flexible and multi­func­tional sports faci­lity that combines tech­nical and design inno­va­tion with a deep appre­cia­tion of the histo­rical heri­tage of its surroun­dings.

Past and present

The SAP Garden was opened in Munich’s Olympic Park in September 2024. The hall was built on the site of the former Olympic Velo­drome and in the imme­diate vici­nity of the more than world-famous Olympic Stadium desi­gned by Frei Otto and Günther Behnisch – in other words, in a truly promi­nent neigh­bor­hood.

Accor­dingly, the design by 3XN also strives for a harmo­nious, inde­pen­dent and non-compe­ti­tive connec­tion between all the monu­ments, the original spirit of the park and the forms and mate­rials of today.

With an area of 62,500 m², the SAP Garden offers space for 10,700 spec­ta­tors for ice hockey games and 11,500 for basket­ball games. The arena is the new home of EHC Red Bull Munich (ice hockey) and FC Bayern Basket­ball.

It also houses three addi­tional ice rinks for trai­ning and public use as well as VIP areas, stores, confe­rence rooms and a publicly acces­sible roof terrace with spec­ta­cular views.

Slats

The inte­gra­tion into the protected land­scape of the Olympic Park was a parti­cular chall­enge. The 3XN team hid the three trai­ning ice rinks under an arti­fi­cial hill that conti­nues the exis­ting paths of the park. The oval, asym­me­trical shape of the arena with its green roof blends in well with the natural surroun­dings and conti­nues them.

The external appearance is charac­te­rized by vertical pilas­ters that curve upwards and empha­size the glazed entrance areas. Each of the 260 slats has an indi­vi­dual geometry, giving the façade a simple yet complex dynamic. This creates a unique connec­tion between the deli­cate histo­rical struc­tures and the new buil­ding.

Meeting point

The SAP Garden wants to be more than just an arena for major events. It aims to become a lively and popular social meeting place for the commu­nity: The public ice rinks are open to schools, clubs and recrea­tional athletes, which streng­thens the local sports infra­struc­ture.

The Gaming Garden also provides eSports fans with a new home for digital compe­ti­tions of almost all kinds. Restau­rants, stores and the roof terrace create addi­tional oppor­tu­ni­ties to use the space all year round.

Tech­no­logy

Spec­ta­tors expe­ri­ence an intense, thril­ling atmo­sphere in the SAP Garden. A special tech­nical feature is the inno­va­tive and mobile grand­stand system above the ice hockey pitch, which enables quick and flexible swit­ching between ice hockey and basket­ball use. The atmo­sphere in the hall can be adapted to diffe­rent events and occa­sions using lighting effects and digital media.

Project data

Archi­tect

3XN A/S
Kanon­bådsvej 8
DK – 1437 Copen­hagen K

Buil­ding owner

Red Bull Stadium Munich GmbH

Partner

CL MAP

Engi­neers

Buro Happold

Opening

2024

Address

SAP Garden
Toni-Merkens-Weg 4
D‑80809 Munich

Photos

Rasmus Hjortshoj_

Text

Johannes Bühl­be­cker
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