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SAN MAMÉS STADIUM
SAN MAMÉS STADIUM
Bilbao, Spain
IDOM / ACXT
Capacity: 53.000 spectators
Photos: Aitor Ortiz
"Athletic Club of Bilbao is one of the
big clubs in European football and its previous stadium, over a hundred years
old, was one of the legendary ones, popularly referred to as the cathedral of football.
Located practically in the same place as
the existing one, the new stadium overlaps with the old San Mames. This fact
forced its construction to be carried out in two phases in such a way that it
prevented the team from having to play away.
One of the main challenges in the design
of the New San Mames was maintaining the intense and magical football
atmosphere of the old Cathedral. This
effect has not only been sustained but increased, thoroughly satisfying the
demands of one of the best fan bases in the world.
The location of the new stadium, at the
end of the urban mesh of the expansion district of Bilbao, peeping over the
estuary with privilege, turns the building into a piece of architecture that
must be introduced categorically and with force, but at the same time,
respecting the rest of the buildings that make up that area of the city. From
this reflection comes one of the first aspects borne in mind for its design.
That is, the perception of the erected
construction as an urban building, in relation to the others and not just
as simple sports facilities.
It was intended for those stadium areas that are traditionally worthless
to become valuable. These are located between the stadium’s perimeter and
the rear part of the stands and constitute the circulation areas through which
you can access and exit the stands, which are, after all, the main part of the
whole football stadium. In order to give these areas an added value, the
strategy of the project consisted of, not only giving them spatial features,
but also making sure that they had a very intense connection with the city and
the surroundings. For this purpose, a basic element that will surely give
character to the New San Mames stadium is put into play on the façade. This is, the repetition of a twisted ETFE element,
giving the elevation energy and unity. This element will be illuminated at
night, thus creating an urban landmark over the estuary, projecting a new image
of Bilbao from within, thanks to one of the most advanced dynamic lighting systems
in the world. The roof, formed by powerful radial metal trusses orientated
towards the centre of the pitch, is covered with white ETFE cushions, covering
the entire stands. The set-up of the stands is totally focused on the field,
maximizing the pressure that the fans exert on the game, just like in the old
San Mames, known the world over for being like a pressure cooker where the
public would be on top of the players.
The stadium has ample hospitality areas,
with VIP boxes, premium seating and its leisure and meeting areas, restaurants,
cafes, the Club’s Museum, the Official Shop and areas for meetings, as well as
a sports centre open to the general public under one of its stands. Its
capacity will exceed 53,000 spectators."
César
Azcárate
Idom/ACXT
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