Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain

Construction of Foster’s football mecca to commence later this year
Kicking off in Barcelona this week, the finals for the Champions League were in full force. A staggering 98,000 fans flood into the Football cathedral that is Camp Nou for each match, most unaware that the clock is ticking for the historic stadium as it stands. For commencing later this year is a Foster-designed transformation.

Inaugurated on 24 September 1957,Camp Nou has been the home of FC Barcelona ever since and host to numerous international matches. Already the largest stadium in Europe, Foster’s design will add a further 8,000 seats and create an exterior with panache in the home team’s colours.

At a projected cost of 250€ million, the evolution of Camp Nou will not only increase capacity, but will extend the middle aged stadium’s facilities to suit modern needs. Provisions for disabled people will be created throughout, TV broadcast and studio facilities will be added, and a new stadium Museum, public concourse, function rooms and hospitality facilities will transform the site from stadium to venue.

A new mosaic exterior composed of translucent panels will act as rain screen around the sides of the stadium allowing naturally ventilated concourse areas and will glow with integrated lighting at night creating a beacon of the football icon.


Niki May Young
News Editor

source: www.worldarchitecturenews.com
architecture NOW