With the construction of a natural grass, full size pitch on the roof of a parking garage, 1. FC Union Berlin have realised the next step in an extraordinary project. Where up to 300 vehicles will park on the lower level, optimal conditions for professional football have been created above. The innovative construction combines efficient and sustainable land use with the high demands of a modern training operation. The new training pitch creates additional capacities without taking up more space, thus making an important contribution to the sustainable development of the club's location.

The rooftop grass pitch with under-soil heating and floodlights is part of the new training center Alte Försterei (TZAF), which will soon form the home for both the women's and men's first team squads. Together with the already completed natural grass pitch, as well as the modern sports functional building and additional training areas, an environment is being created that meets the high demands of professional football.

"When we developed the first designs for the new training pitch, we were aware that we were venturing into new territory. Planning and implementing a full size, natural grass pitch on the roof of a parking garage places high demands on architecture, statics, and construction execution. Now seeing the players take to the pitch and train fills us with great pride," said Dirk Thieme, chairman of the "An der Alten Försterei" Stadionbetriebs AG.

The first training sessions at the new facility not only mark the beginning of the sporting use of an extraordinary site. They also symbolize the ambition of 1. FC Union Berlin to take innovative paths and provide its two professional teams with the best possible conditions for their daily work.