Take a Look at Futbol Club Barcelona's New Camp Nou Stadium, designed by Nikken Sekkei

Project:  New Camp Nou, Stadium Renovation

Project Location:  Camp Nou, Barcelona

Designer:  Nikken SekkeiPascual i Ausio Arquitectes

Project Budget:  $651.9 Million

Project Size:  105,000 seats

Project Description:

On March 8, 2016, FC Barcelona announced that the Espai Barca jury had unanimously selected the bid by Nikken Sekkei + Pascual i Ausio Arquitectes as the winner of the tender for the design of the new Camp Nou.  The Nikken Sekkei + Pascual i Ausio Arquitectes proposal stands out for being open, elegant, serene, timeless Mediterranean and democratic.

It is notable for its relationship with the environment, providing depth, creating shadows and making members the starts of the facade and of the open area at all times.  The proposal presents a very subtle attempt to intervene in the environment to facilitate circulation and achieve diverse urban usage in the Barca Campus and guarantees a clear and safe construction.

In short, it is a unique solution, reproducing the characteristic vision of the grandstand and canopy, from the inside out, a silent and powerful tribute to the stadium designed by Francesc Mitjans, Josep Soteras, and Lorenzo Garcia Barbon in 1957. (Futbol Club Barcelona)

To watch the video for the New Camp Nou Stadium, click here:



"Our design is derived from the essence of the original stadium", said Takeyuki Katsuya of Nikken Sekkei.  "The great open space around the stadium is like a large piece of origami, carefully arranged not to disturb the flow of people into the stadium.  People can be outside, enjoying the Mediterranean climate."

"It is a perfect match," added Pascual.  "We're speaking as architects to architects.  This has allowed us to get to know each other well.  We understand what Barca is, what it represents and we know what it means for the city.  The project is very respectful of the work of Mitjans and the solution was to continue his path."

"The whole project needed to simultaneously capture the two settings, the stadium and the city.  It will feel timeless.  The members will continue to feel at home; they will not see the difference.  They will only notice the improvements." (The Architects Newspaper)

(Images courtesy of The Architects Newspaper)













This project required solving two main objectives at the same time.  On the one hand, the actual renovation and extension of the stadium.  On the other hand, not less an important objective, to ensure a good relationship between the surrounding urban space and the building, i.e. to ensure a perfect integration of the building in the city, solving the challenges and constraints of the existing urban context.

One of the first important decisions taken in this project was to consider the possibility of lowering the "ameba" circulation ring planned in FCB's reference Project from Level +14m down to the existing ground/street level.

By doing so, we reduced the tensions created by the "ameba" over the adjacent streets of Joan XXIII and Treavessera de les Corts, and created instead two wide open areas both to the East and West of the site, which have become the main areas of access to the campus.  As a result, the whole of Espai Barca is now a wide open space which strenghtens the relationship with the people, the neighborhood and the city.

With regards to the stadium, we found it very hard to come up with a solution that would be adequate and fair, both for the stadium as for the city.  When we talk about fair, we do not refer to the moral meaning of the word, but rather to the etymological meaning:  precise, exact and balanced. (Joan Pascual - Ramon Ausio Arquitectes)

(Images courtesy of Joan Pascual - Ramon Ausio Arquitectes)

















The proposal for the new Camp Nou plans will encompass three main areas:  the new Camp Nou football stadium, a new Palau Blaugrana arena with room for 10,000 spectators and the Espai Barca (Barca Space).  A casualty of the new plans is the current Miniestadi mini-stadium, which will be moved to Barca's Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper training ground in Saint Joan Despi and re-named in tribute to legendary Barca player and manager Johan Cruyff.  The proposed new Mini-estadi will seat between 6,000 - 7,000 spectators.

Football matches will continue during the construction.  The proposed new Camp Nou stadium will be constructed throughout three and a half football seasons, but the Barca will play at the Nou Camp all through the renovation.  The work on the outside will larely be done during the football season and the new terraces and inside work will be done in the summer between seasons. (Barcelona Yellow)

To watch a video of the New Camp Nou's Phased Construction Plans, click here:


(Images courtesy of FC Barcelona via Barcelona Yellow)




The competition-winning scheme features an open facade that comprises three open concourses protected by pitched leaves.  Integrated within the stadium campus, the venue maintains a connection with the street on all sides, while 12 vertical circulation cores provide access to the second and third tiers.  The design also includes a spacious 'sky deck' overlooking the seating bowl and the city beyond.  From an environmental perspective, the venue harvests both rainwater and energy from the sun.  

The new 47,000 square meter roof ensures that all 105,000 spectators are protected from rain and direct sunlight.  This gesture also boosts interior acoustics and reduces noise outside of the arena.  Constructed with steel cables, and clad with ETFE, PTFE and polycarbonate, the roof collects rain as well as energy from the sun.  These natural resources are used to water the pitch and power the turf's grow lights.  The structure also includes large scoreboards, pitch lighting, spearkers, and wifi access points.

The new Camp Nou offers improved visibility from all seating areas.  The first level will be completely rebuilt, while the second story maintains its current appearance, offering increased visibility, comfort, and accessibility, the third tier will encircle the whole ground above the main stand, a 360 degree walkway, known as the 'sky deck' will encompass the entire arena, offering sweeping panoramic views.  The entire remodeling process will go ahead without interrupting the club's fixture schedule.  Construction will happen in stages, to be concluded in the 2020/2021 campaign, although the definitive schedule is still pending approval. (designboom)

(Images courtesy of FC Barcelona via designboom)































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