Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron, in collaboration with Marge Arkitekter, has presented an ambitious proposal called "Under samma tak" (Under the Same Roof) for Göteborg's new arena district in Sweden. The future-oriented, experience-driven landmark is designed to evolve alongside the city while accommodating both civic life and large-scale events through innovative adaptive transformation strategies.
The project was developed as part of a highly competitive international competition that featured proposals from several renowned architectural firms. Other participants included White Arkitekter with Allies & Morrison, whose "Meet Gothenburg" entry was ultimately selected as the winning scheme on September 30th, 2025, as well as Populous with Okidoki Architects, Semrén & Månsson with GMP International, and CF Møller with Olsson Lyckfors. Despite not winning, Herzog & de Meuron's proposal stands out for positioning reuse and flexibility at the center of its architectural response.
The design demonstrates deep respect for Göteborg's architectural heritage, particularly the city's iconic Scandinavium arena. The team proposes an inventive reuse strategy that retains half of the original structure, using the existing oval geometry as the foundation for a new, circular main arena that expands capacity while preserving the building's identity. By raising the arena floor, inserting a practice rink below, and adding a vast LED screen, the design transforms Scandinavium into a semi-open amphitheater capable of hosting new event formats.
Herzog & de Meuron and Marge Arkitekter have carefully calibrated building heights to respond to the surrounding context, aligning with Svenska Mässan to the south and tapering down toward Gårda in the east. A brick-clad plinth featuring rounded volumes and slender columns defines a welcoming urban edge, while generous staircases and open terraces invite pedestrians upward into the heart of the complex. Active ground floors and transparent facades connect the arenas with surrounding streets, ensuring the area remains lively even when no events are taking place.
A standout feature of the proposal is a large accessible roof park that reintroduces green public space to the dense event district. This elevated landscape, connected by stairs, elevators, and escalators, functions as both a community hub and an extension of the event experience. Designed for year-round use, the park can accommodate informal sports activities, outdoor markets, and leisure paths, transforming the arenas into an everyday urban destination. From an environmental perspective, the green roof contributes significantly to stormwater management, insulation, and biodiversity enhancement.
Completing the architectural composition is a new hotel tower positioned near Korsvägen that serves as a visible landmark from key approach routes, including the highway and the city's main transit hub. The tower's curved facade embraces the landscape below, softening its visual impact while anchoring the western edge of the development. Designed with flexibility in mind, the tower can host both 3-star and 4-star hotel functions and can later adapt to housing or office uses without obstructing views from Svenska Mässan's existing hotel.
The arena district competition attracted diverse architectural visions, with each proposal offering a different approach to renewing Göteborg's event hub. The competition brief was comprehensive, covering a multi-arena complex to replace Scandinavium, a smaller arena to replace Lisebergshallen, a training rink, logistics and support facilities, an inner arena square, a hotel, and extensive public spaces. Other notable entries included "Hör & häpna" (Hear & Be Amazed) by Populous, Okidoki Architects, and WSP; "Omfamna arvet" (Embrace the Heritage) by Semrén & Månsson with GMP International GmbH, which secured second place; and "Vingslag" (Wing Strike) by CF Møller, Olsson Lyckfors, SBP, and Marell.
The project integrates urban rhythm, collective spaces, and sustainable design strategies through adaptive transformation, circular construction principles, and ambitious climate goals. Each competing entry interpreted the site and program requirements through its own distinctive architectural language, demonstrating the rich variety of approaches possible for this significant urban development project in Sweden's cultural landscape.
