Metallic skin planned for Madrid's new soccer stadium

German firm, GMP Architekten will head the project to overhaul Spanish soccer franchise Real Madrid’s iconic Santiago Bernabeau stadium.

Recently unveiled design pictures reveal plans to sheath the existing structure in a curvaceous titanium façade.

The new metallic exterior will form interesting lines and patterns in response to the changing position of the sun, except for the centre of the new roof, which will remain transparent and retractable, allowing natural light to filter onto the playing surface.

LED lights will adorn the stadium and its surroundings at night.

Also being included in the redesign is a shopping and leisure centre, an underground car park and a hotel with rooms offering direct views onto the pitch.

The redevelopment requires that construction not interfere with matches, feasible, despite its high-tech qualities and irregular forms, because large sections of the new structure are able to be shop-assembled offsite.

Image: L35 / GMP Architekten / Ribas & Ribas / Real Madrid CF

Courtesy Architects Newspaper Blog