Since 2005, Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, DSW21 (Dortmunder Stadtwerke AG), and the architectural firm SHA Scheffler Helbich Architekten have forged a successful partnership. Over the years, this Dortmund-based practice has shaped the site through strategic expansions and refined its overall character. The training grounds have grown incrementally with multiple facilities and pitches, with the 18-hectare former Napier Barracks site hosting the Youth and Amateur Centre (2005), Professional Centre (2010), Footbonaut facility (2011), and Youth Performance Centre (2014)—all developed on behalf of DSW21. Additional football pitches were added in 2018. The 2020 expansion, featuring a new sports headquarters, multifunctional building, and enhanced parking facilities, completes the extensive campus as a fully integrated whole.

The sports headquarters extends the Youth Performance Centre along the site's western edge, mirroring its three-storey structure with an additional recessed top floor. This strategic addition frames the western boundary and creates visual completion alongside the existing car park. A welcoming glass façade marks the entrance, while the interior's 3,000 m² of floor space accommodates multiple functions: a spacious press conference room, scouting and youth development departments, and numerous offices oriented toward the training pitches. The building's rear is designed with future expansion in mind, allowing for growth as needs evolve.

Positioned at the end of Adi-Preißler-Allee on Aki-Schmidt-Platz, this approximately 400 m² facility serves as the primary gateway for all visitors to the training grounds. The Borussia Dortmund logo stands prominently on the anthracite-toned façade, extending a visual welcome to fans. A dedicated security area overlooks both the southern access for professional players and the northern entrance for amateur and youth athletes. The roof incorporates a press platform that doubles as a camera station during public training sessions, complemented by a dedicated press workspace. Inside, the facility houses BVB TV production studios and spectator amenities. The car park south of Aki-Schmidt-Platz has been substantially enlarged, while the public football pitch integrates seamlessly into the overall layout. On the northern side, a state-of-the-art energy centre—developed with DSW21—supplies the entire facility with sustainably produced heating, exemplifying the site's commitment to environmental responsibility.

www.sha.de

Photography Credits:

Christian Eblenkamp
www.christian-eblenkamp.de

(Published in CUBE Ruhrgebiet 01|22)