The first matches took in October 2017 a new stadium in the south-east of France in the city of Aix-en-Provence. The authors of the project were Christophe Gulizzi Architecte and Auer Weber Architekten.

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The German bureau Auer Weber is known for its respect for the natural landscape and, at the same time, the dynamic form of its buildings. And the stadium of the local handball team, built on the southwestern outskirts of the city, at the intersection of two highways, continues to develop a favorite concept. The architects, in the project actively participated and the Marseille bureau Christophe Gulizzi Architecte, viewed the object as a kind of theatrical space uniting culture and sport.

The facility was completed in just 29 months and cost 51.9 million euros. The landmark building, which has become essentially a new gate to the city, is devoid of traditional facades, and its volume is determined by several complex forms of “pancakes”, asymmetrically but neatly stacked on top of each other. They form the main arena for 6000 thousand spectators and a smaller training ground.

Aluminum sheets, almost completely covering the outer part of the plates, reflect the environment and change the mood of the building, depending on environmental conditions. Horizontal illumination between the layers adds to the whole object the necessary dynamics and energy, and a fully glazed first level demonstrates openness to visitors. Thanks to all this, a rather alien object in its nature becomes an integral and important part of the place.