The keys to the New Bernabéu after 100 million investment

The new Santiago Bernabéu will become, after its inauguration, one of the architectural symbols of the world. The works are well underway. It is expected that they can be finished by the summer of 2022. That is the idea with which Florentino Pérez commissioned the project that is now being developed by the construction company FCC. The architectural project that won the competition was spearheaded by three of Europe's leading studios. They are L35, the Catalans Ribas and the Germans GMP. All three proudly display images, mockups and videos of what the transformation will be like on their official websites.

So far, Real Madrid has had 100 million of the 570 loan it requested to undertake the work. In July of this year it will have another 250 million and, the rest, in July 2021. The following are the keys with which these architecture studios have worked. These are ideas that the architect Tristán López Chicheri, from L35, transferred to the general public a few months ago in a presentation on the stadium itself.

A spectacular change.

When Florentino commissioned the contest, he made the bases very clear: a total transformation of the contest was a fundamental requirement. And with that idea they went to work. They asked to turn the stadium into an architectural icon, but that the result would not recall the current Bernabéu at all. It is intended to be a worldwide recognizable figure such as Big Ben or the Sydney Opera House.

The decisive rings.

The upper rings are essential to be able to carry out the work while the stadium is being used in future seasons after the pandemic. Otherwise it will be impossible. The works must be carried out from summer to summer, although this stoppage of the competition for the coronavius ​​has been fundamental so that the deadlines can be shortened. There is a first compression ring around the stadium. That allows a key issue, raising another inner traction ring with a series of cables. This frees up the field for you to continue playing while you continue working on the deck.

The roof closes in 15 minutes.

According to the stadium designers, the roof can be opened in 15 minutes and closed in the same time. The cover is made of a kind of extremely firm plastic. They have taken into account the evacuation of the water on the roof to prevent it from falling due to the weight of it on rainy days. There will be a great 360 degree led marker that will preside over the stadium and that will be installed in that great ring. The retractable roof will have 76 meters of light, which is a world record, according to the architects in charge of the project.

Little change in the stands.

The current stand will remain exactly the same as now, although it will gain some height on one of the sides. The change will be substantial on the outside, but inside the Bernabéu will be the same although with some logical change (not of structure) like the video scoreboard that you want to put around the upper perimeter.

A retractable lawn.

That the grass can be removed and put on is something that was not contemplated in the initial project but that Florentino Pérez has wanted to include because it can be key in the idea he has of increasing the income derived from the stadium by renting it for shows. With the retractable grass, concerts and events could be held during the current season without damaging the 'green'. But that part of the work, in which a lower space must be provided to store the grass, must wait, because it cannot be undertaken if there is a forecast that the public can return to the stadiums.

Galactic skin.

The envelope of the stadium will be made of stainless steel plates, a metal skin completely open to maintain the conditions of the stadium. It is made of stainless steel treated to avoid reflectability and to have the appearance of stainless steel “from pans”, according to the architects themselves. Ultimately, it will look like titanium. It is a subject that has been studied very carefully, since the metallic envelope could create a situation that has already been experienced in another emblematic building, the well-known like Walkie Talkie in London, which needed a major renovation after its construction because its concave structure reflected the sun's rays on the road and ended up melting parts of parked vehicles and objects in shop windows.

A special facade.

The studio that designed the New Bernabéu wanted to escape from a building with four traditional facades. That was the initial motivation. They wanted to flee from symmetry. That is why the facade is totally asymmetrical. It changes depending on the side from which it is viewed. The curved and smooth lines change the face of the facade according to the perspective from which it is viewed. There are three suggested cornice lines that shape the building as one moves.

Perimeter walk.

The top line defines a walk that will be around the entire perimeter of the stadium that is open. It is a kind of terrace. The fan will be able to go around the entire stadium on this walk seeing the views of Madrid. It is one of the last solutions found when the first project that pushed the TSJM back had to change, and one of the most colorful elements.

The best welcome.

The current Bernabéu has 57 doors but no main entrance. This will be one of the fundamental changes to the new stadium. The entrance was wanted to be recognizable. That is why there will be a large lobby on the facade of the Castellana. Over there there will be a great control of lathes and then the people will be distributed to their area already inside the stadium.

A luxury hotel.

In the initial project that was overthrown by the courts, Madrid gained a lot of buildability. Specifically, 12 meters deep from tower to tower on the side of the Castellana. They were many square meters, and there the intention was to make a large luxury hotel and a shopping center. That will not be possible, but the possibility of building a small luxury hotel within the stadium with rooms facing the field has not yet been ruled out … It will be difficult, either way. It is more feasible that commercial premises are enabled.

The museum source of funding.

The Madrid museum is, today, one of the main sources of financing for Real Madrid, and it will be modernized and will gain square meters. The Bernabéu Museum and Tour is visited each year by almost four million people (the most popular after the Prado and Reina Sofía). Currently the tickets, for the two entrances, are around 20 euros … After the reform, the product offered will improve and they will be more expensive. In addition, spaces will be enabled to be rented for large events within the new stadium. It will be easily transformable so that income increases. “Mixed use was essential,” say the architects.