FC Barcelona have selected Nikken Sekkei + Pascual i Ausió Arquitectes for the design of the new Camp Nou.

The jury, made up of five FCB members, three members of the Col·legi d’Arquitectes de Catalunya (COAC) and one member of Barcelona City Council, made its decision after a review of the different proposals by a technical commission in accordance with the criteria established in the regulations and requirements for the tender. The decision was made at a meeting held on Tuesday following the exhibition of the four finalists.

The Nikken Sekkei + Pascual i Ausió Arquitectes proposal stands out for being open, elegant, serene, timeless, Mediterranean and democratic.

The winning design was noted for its relationship with the environment, providing depth, creating shadows and making members the stars of the facade and of the open area at all times. The proposal presents a very subtle attempt to intervene in the environment to facilitate circulation and achieve diverse urban usage in the Barça Campus and guarantees a clear and safe construction.

The design is a homage to the characteristic vision of the grandstand and canopy, from the inside out and a silent tribute to the stadium built by Francesc Mitjans in 1957. 

Work on the new Camp Nou is scheduled to start in the 2017/18 season and to end in the 2021/22 season. The list of requirements published for the tender stipulated that the new stadium should guarantee the best possible conditions for the enjoyment of football matches.

100% of the stadium terraces were to be covered, with excellent views from every seat and a number of measures were to be respected with regard to comfort for all users.

The main characteristics of the new Camp Nou will be:

– All seats will be covered and protected from adverse weather conditions (wind, sun and rain). The new roof must measure more than 47,000 m2.

– In the new stadium, all seats must have a perfect view of the pitch, with the first tier being made steeper. The whole stadium, as well as the new screens and video scoreboards, should be visible from all seats.

– The video scoreboards will use the latest high resolution digital technology with LED type systems.

– The second tier shall be maintained but with improved accessibility and comfort.

– The third tier shall be completed to reach the same height as the current lateral zone. Gates, comfort and services shall be improved.

– The capacity shall be increased to provide seating for 105,000 spectators.

– Spaces between seats to be improved and all seats to be replaced (more comfortable and ergonomic designs).

– Each tier shall be provided with carefully distributed places for persons with reduced mobility and other disabilities.

– The aisles shall be widened and free from vertical connection hubs, thus making these spaces more comfortable for supporters.

– The existing stairways to be adapted to current standards and to be better distributed.

– Increase in capacity to be used to provide seats to persons on the season ticket waiting list and to provide the adapted seating that is currently lacking.

– Draft project to include criteria regarding energy saving and environmental sustainability in order to obtain the required quality certificates.

– In order to generate the utmost safety regarding visiting supporters, and to minimise possible disturbance caused to other season ticket holders and spectators, the terraces shall be divided into sections, with separate entrances and passageways inside the stadium, as well as specific zones and services, being designated to these supporters.

– Catering and hospitality areas to be improved in all areas of the new Camp Nou.

– The Espai Barça foresees construction of an underground parking lot, thus freeing up a large public area that shall be accessible and open to the neighbourhood, located between the Camp Nou and the new Palau Blaugrana.

A public presentation of the construction project of the new Camp Nou will be made at a ceremony to be held in the coming weeks.

The permanent exhibition of the Espai Barça, located in the Sala París, open to members and fans, and which was opened to coincide with the presentation of the New Palau Blaugrana, will be complemented by the winning project for the New Camp Nou. Thus, the exhibition will reveal in detail the proposed transformation of all the Club’s sports facilities.