New Camp Nou architects lift the lid on their design for FC Barcelona's iconic stadium
– Takeyuki Katsuya
The architects charged with revamping FC Barcelona's iconic Camp Nou stadium have given CLAD an exclusive snapshot of their competition-winning design for the project.
Japanese practice Nikken Sekkei and Catalan firm Joan Pascual – Ramon Ausio Arquitectes are masterminding the design of the new ground, which will have a semi-transparent roof, an increased capacity of around 105,000 and three skyrings surrounding the perimeter.
“FC Barcelona is a club for the fans, not for the owners,” said Nikken Sekkei’s lead architect Takeyuki Katsuya in an interview with CLAD. “They want equality for the stadium, where the views and experiences of everyone are equal. For that reason our big change is to make the design totally symmetrical to represent this democratic nature.
“The current stadium roof changes height, making it asymmetrical. We’ll change that and create a very simple balanced shape around the pitch. Then the new sky rings around the outside create more symmetry.”
The concept of the design – described as “open, elegant, serene, timeless, Mediterranean and democratic” by the judges who selected it – is inspired by the city’s historical buildings, classic architecture and warm climate.
Katsuya said: “We studied the brief and decided we wanted to make a really spectacular scheme. During our research, we found the city has a very rich history and so the project reflects all that. We also derived a lot of inspiration from the original stadium, because we want to keep its essence and soul while creating something new and great.”
Joan Pascual, the leading Catalan architect involved with the project, once worked with Camp Nou’s creator Francesc Mitjans at Barcelona’s architecture university. “I understand Mitjans’ spirit, and most importantly I understand his stadium," he told CLAD. “Our starting point was revision, not reinvention. There’s something about the soul of Barça that is special and has to be understood to build a stadium like this.”
To reference this “Barca soul”, the architects have maximised spaces in and around the stadium to promote openness and outdoor space where people can enjoy the sun and fresh air. The skyrings, which will glow in the club’s colours at night, will have space for socialising and walking with views towards the sea. Meanwhile amenities typically found in an interior concourse – such as food and beverage stalls – will be placed outside the stadium to create extra space, with the floor rising to fold over them in polygon shapes “like origami”.
“We thought if we created a traditional concourse it would disturb the flow and continuity between the building and the club’s wider leisure district,” said Katsuya. “We analysed the movement of people, and we decided to take away the concourse altogether. We’ve removed the walls and gates to truly open up the stadium.
“People will be able to come to Camp Nou on a match day and have a day full of excitement in one area – visiting a café, the club’s museum, enjoying the game then going for a meal after.”
The club is currently finalising the €360m (US$405.6m, £311.7m) in funding needed to build the stadium, which might be raised in part through the sale of naming rights. Confirmation of the final design details and a tendering process will also follow shortly. The ambition is to complete the ground in time for the 2020/21 La Liga season.
An in-depth CLADmag feature on the New Camp Nou and FC Barcelona's ambitious plans to create a new €600m (US$676m, £520m) ‘Espai Barca’ leisure district in its image can be found here.
Nou Camp FC Barcelona Barcelona football stadium architecture Les Corts Spain La Liga Nikken Sekkei design
FC Barcelona unveils Nikken Sekkei's 'sentimental' design for New Camp Nou
FC Barcelona selects Nikken Sekkei to redesign Nou Camp
AECOM, BIG and Populous among architectural heavyweights in final for €600m redevelopment of FC Barcelona's Nou Camp
Nou Camp to undergo extensive £495m revamp
FEATURE: In the spotlight – Tadao Kamei
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by
Zannier Île De Bendor launches with design by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes
Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
Immersive art bathhouse Submersive announces debut location in Austin
Construction begins on regenerative wellness destination The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
V&A East opens in London
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
BodyHoliday plans 10-15 locations in the next 15 years
Floating wellbeing destination planned for London’s Royal Docks
Aman Group to open second Janu in Dubai with inaugural Janu Club
