A proposal by gmp Arquitectos, L35 Arquitectos and Ribas & Ribas has been announced as winner of an international competition to revamp Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Spain. Selected over an impressive shortlist of candidates including Foster & Partners, Herzog & de Meuron and Populous, the winning gmp-led team is expected to “transform the Santiago Bernabéu into the most advanced and developed stadium of the 21st century,” as described gmp owner Volkwin Marg.
“This building is undoubtedly the most important project of our careers.," Marg added.
According to Real Madrid’s president, Florentino Pérez, gmp’s winning design has the potential to make Santiago Bernabéu “the best stadium in the world.” Once complete in 2017, the €400m redevelopment will have extended stand capacities by four levels, integrated a commercial center into the stadium’s side, and, most notably, topped the structure with a metallic, retractable roof wrapped in an interactive display LEDs.
“It is impossible to understand everything that Real Madrid is today without this stadium,” stated Pérez. “The stadium remodel is a strategic drive towards modernity. Building and raising the stadium was a challenge in its day. Santiago Bernabéu paved the way and we became the leader in sports venues. This stadium and the signing of Alfredo Di Stéfano changed the legend of Real Madrid. The new twenty-first century Santiago Bernabéu will continue to be a privileged, emotional place and a source of pride for all our members and fans”.
Reference: Real Madrid, BDOnline, The Guardian
