Leading Japanese architectural, engineering, and urban design firm Nikken Sekkei has confirmed during the first day of Cityscape Global, taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 25–27 September, preparatory construction on the Futur Camp Nou, FC Barcelona’s iconic football stadium, has broken ground.
The stadium is in the process of being expanded and renovated at a cost of Euros 360 million (AED1.4 billion) and will see many of the facilities within the stadium have an open feel to them to take advantage of Barcelona’s typically warm weather. Seats within the stadium will however be covered by a new roof which will harvest rain to help water the pitch while also featuring solar energy for lighting certain elements of the stadium.
Dr. Fadi Jabri, Nikken’s Executive Officer, Principle responsible for MENA, CIS, India, Australia and Europe regions, said: “Our design is not only respectful to the original Camp Nou architecture, it is also incorporates the magic that has been woven into the history of the stadium.
“The design is one for the ages, it will always be relevant and will provide the people of Barcelona with an iconic structure to enjoy throughout the year, not just on match days.”
Construction will be completed in phases over four years and will take place both during and off the football season, it is expected the first ball will be kicked in the newly completed stadium during the start of the 2024-25 season. A total of 41 architects and engineers from Nikken and 27 sub-contractors are currently working on the project at Nikken’s branch office in Barcelona.
Nikken were originally one of 8 teams presenting bids, and in early 2016 the Espai Barça jury unanimously selected the design bid tendered by Nikken Sekkei + Pascual-Ausió Arquitectes. After concept design phase, the local architect’s position was taken over by b720 Fermín Vázquez Arquitectos. The design was lauded for its relationship with the environment and its diverse urban usage.
This is Nikken’s first stadium in Europe, having already completed stadia in the company’s homeland of Japan, including Tokyo Dome, Saitama Super Arena, Kashima Stadium and Niigata’s Big Swan Stadium.
Nikken will be exhibiting a scale model of the renovated and expanded Futur Camp Nou on their stand at Cityscape Global, Dubai World Trade Centre, which can be found in Hall 2, Stand 2D20.
About Nikken Sekkei
One of the world’s largest architectural and engineering design firms, Nikken Sekkei employs over 2,770 professional staff in six group companies offering comprehensive design, engineering, management, consulting and R&D services. The company’s portfolio consists of over 25,000 projects in 250 cities, in 50 countries. These projects cover a broad range of services including master plans and mixed-use developments, transportation (airports and railway stations), offices, R&D, education and culture, production and logistics, healthcare and welfare, commerce, hotels, and residential complexes.
For more information, please log on to www.nikken.jp
