Football club Real Madrid has played its first game in the remodelled Santiago Bernabéu stadium, which is nearing completion following a revamp by architecture studios L35, Ribas & Ribas and GMP Architecten.
A video released by the club ahead of the first match in the renovated stadium showed the structure with its new wrap-around facade largely complete and its retractable roof in place.
Real Madrid returned to the stadium to play fellow Spanish team Getafe on 2 September in the club's first game since the renovation began. The retractable roof was closed for the game.
Alongside the addition of a retractable roof and a steel facade, the renovation has seen the addition of a terrace surrounding the stadium on top of the stands and a new pitch removal and storage system.
Designed to allow the stadium to be used for large-scale events, the retractable pitch will be housed in six underground levels and feature an underground irrigation system and ultraviolet lighting to maintain the quality of the grass.
The renovation will also see the stadium's capacity raised from around 81,000 to 85,000, although only just over 66,000 watched the opening match.
Beginning in 2019, the revamp was designed by Spanish studios L35 and Ribas & Ribas as well as German studio GMP Architecten.
One of the world's best-known stadiums, the Santiago Bernabéu was originally built in 1947 and designed by architects Manuel Muñoz Monasterio and Luis Alemany Soler. It has seen several additions and renovations since.
L35 and Ribas & Ribas and GMP Architecten aimed to give the stadium a unified appearance with the new louvred steel facade.
The studio aimed to revitalise the distinctive structure, which was originally designed by Ulrich Müther in the late 1960s, after it had been abandoned for 20 years.
GMP Architekten renovated the building so that it could reopen as a multifunctional venue for events and exhibitions – officially opening last month.
GMP Architekten has refurbished a post-war hall in Germany
Composed of four hyperbolic paraboloids arranged in a square, the building is one of the numerous shell-roofed structures designed by Müther across Germany.
Set alongside the Elbe River within a large park, the structure is the largest of Müther's structure's remaining after several demolitions and itself was only saved as it was listed as a historic monument in 1998.
The studio was commissioned by the Magdeburg authorise to revitalise the building and give it a public use.
The renewed structure functions as a venue for events and exhibitions
It repaired the parabolic roof using carbon-fibre reinforced concrete to both restore and strengthen the existing structure.
On the building's exterior, the rhythmically lined fins were renewed, while its translucent glazed openings were replaced with transparent glass to provide views towards the local park.
Additionally, roof lights running between the four shells – that had been previously closed up due to leakages – were reopened to draw light into the interior.
Inside, the structure features a spacious, column-free layout enabled by the innovative roof structure that reaches 12-metres at its centre and curves upwards to reach nearly 16-metres at each corner.
Here, GMP Architekten inserted four 15-metre-square cubes that function as smaller spaces for hosting events, exhibitions and seminars.
Four smaller structures were added within the building
To echo the building's original design, the new internal structures were built from steel and are organised in alignment with the square grid layout designed by Müther.
Connecting the structures are a network of raised bridges that provide circulation across the upper floor, while partitions divide the ground floor spaces.
Architecture studio GMP Architekten has completed its remodelling of the Santiago Bernabéu stadium for Real Madrid, wrapping the exterior in sinuous metal louvres.
GMP Architekten, L35 and Ribas & Ribas have completed the renovation of the Santiago Bernabéu stadium
Aiming to create a public attraction with a distinctive appearance, the Santiago Bernabéu includes the Real Madrid Museum, restaurant and retail space, and a skywalk that allows visitors to explore the stadium.
Stainless steel louvres wrap the building in continuous curves, concealing the original concrete structure.
Sinuous steel louvres wrap the exterior
"Curved stainless steel louvres give the Bernabéu a whole new character and emphasise its status as a Madrid landmark," said GMP Architekten.
"From a distance, the metal structure coalesces into a sparkling jewel that reflects daylight in myriad ways depending on one's angle of view."
A metal facade was added to give the stadium a sculptural, unified appearance
The Santiago Bernabéu was originally designed by architects Manuel Muñoz Monasterio and Luis Alemany Soler. Since its completion in 1947, it has undergone several additions and renovations.
The metal facade was designed to give the stadium a unified appearance that is sculptural and functional, with horizontal gaps between the louvres providing natural ventilation to the interior.
"The old Bernabéu's disparate mix of architecture has been transformed into an innovative and versatile multifunctional arena," said GMP Architekten. "The new design establishes a coherent overall concept for the first time."
"The geometry of the outer shell follows the principles of form-finding and form-making, taking into account both functional considerations and a desire to give the stadium a new sculptural form," the studio continued.
The interior is naturally ventilated through gaps between the external louvres
The stadium's 80,000-seat capacity was increased by 3,000 seats, including VIP and hospitality lounges in a newly added tier above the existing upper tiers.
It also features a newly added retractable roof and a pitch removal and storage system, in which a retractable pitch is housed in six underground levels with an irrigation system and ultraviolet lighting that maintain the quality of the grass.
Seating in the stadium was increased and a retractable pitch was added
German architecture studio GMP Architekten has been selected to design a replacement for the roof of Roger Taillibert’s "controversial" Olympic stadium in Montreal for the studio's first North American project.
The ageing Olympic Stadium was designed by French architect Roger Taillibert for the 1976 Montreal Summer Games and features a now-iconic angled tower that suspends the roof from a series of cables.
GMP Architekten has been selected to replace the roof of the Montreal Olympic Stadium. Top image by Grauwald Studio and GMP Architekten
The structure consists of a ring of cantilevered concrete beams that wrap around the entire building and encircle a central oval-shaped roof.
The central portion was originally designed to retract, but proved to be "problematic" and was replaced with a non-retractable version in 1999, which has also required a number of costly repairs throughout the years.
A team including GMP Architekten (GMP) and engineering firm SBP won a 2018 competition issued by Quebec officials to "reimagine" the stadium into a multifunctional arena, which includes renovating the roof, improving acoustics and introducing increased natural light into the interior.
"In their first North American project, the global architecture firm GMP has announced a major new project in Montreal," said the team. "The reinvention and re-engineering of the controversial and expressive Olympic Stadium created for the 1976 summer games."
The project will include the replacement of the central roof
According to the team, GMP will largely "follow the original supporting structure principle" of the stadium's design, with a focus on introducing natural light to the interior.
"In addition to a flexible integration of event technology and considerable improvements to the acoustics within, our design focuses above all on natural lighting of the stadium bowl," said GMP executive partner Stephan Schütz. "The suspended roof structure follows the curves of the sculptural concrete ribs and is set off from the historic building by glazing all the way around."
The current iteration of the roof consists of peaks of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) – covered fibreglass resting on a steel cable structure. GMP's design sees the addition of glazing around a flattened, opaque centre.
"To withstand the harsh Canadian winters, the upper covering is opaque, while the roof is fitted with a translucent membrane on the underside, allowing for varied scenarios using indirect lighting or projection, or both," said the studio.
It will also be non-retractable, but only partially suspended by a cable system.
A lightweight steel frame will be implemented to take weight off the surrounding concrete beams, replacing a previous concrete "ring".
"[The roof] has a new inner roof structure composed of a steel truss dome, and it is partly suspended from the tower, partly supported by the stadium ribs, allowing it to elegantly 'hover' above the existing venue," said SBP.
"To keep the reference to the original roof, the deck is waterproofed with a white PVC layer. On the inside, the structure is cladded with a glass/PTFE liner which is indirectly illuminated."
The project is slated for completion in 2028. Image by Grauwald Studio and GMP Architekten
Slated for completion in 2028, GMP says it plans to "deeply appreciate" Taillibert's original creation.
"At GMP we believe a basic prerequisite of successful projects like this is to deeply appreciate what others created in the past," GMP executive partner Stephan Schütz told Dezeen.
"This means both a rejection of any throwaway mentality whatsoever and an orientation toward protecting the climate and resources in line with the ever-present sustainability requirements."
German studio GMP Architekten has refurbished and extended Alsterschwimmhalle, a swimming pool in Hamburg with a distinctive double-curved concrete roof.
After being forced to close during the coronavirus pandemic, Alsterschwimmhalle has been transformed into a multipurpose leisure complex with a sauna and fitness club.
GMP Architekten has revamped Alsterschwimmhalle in Hamburg
GMP Architekten's overhaul ensures the focal point of the structure remains its heritage-listed roof, which is formed of two soaring hyperbolic paraboloid structures crafted from prestressed concrete.
This unusual design has led the centre to be known as Schwimmoper, or Swimming Opera, as locals say its sweeping forms bear a resemblance to the Sydney Opera House by Jørn Utzon.
The pool has a "cityscape-defining" roof
"When developing the refurbishment concept, the focus was on preserving the striking, cityscape-defining roof with its impressive shell design," said GMP Architekten's detailed design lead Jörn Ortmann.
"This was to be preserved – or rather reestablished – in its original appearance," he told Dezeen.
A diving pool replaces bleacher seating beside the main pool
Alsterschwimmhalle was designed by German architects Horst Niessen, Rolf Störmer and Walter Neuhäusser with engineer Jörg Schlaich for use as a competition pool and was constructed between 1968 and 1974.
It is described by GMP Architekten as "an outstanding example of Hamburg's post-war architecture", with its roof listed as a protected structure by Germany's Office for the Preservation of Historic Monuments.
However, it required a revamp after the deterioration of its facilities, which contributed to its closure in 2020.
Its roof has been retained as the focal point
"The Alstersschwimmhalle was in operation until 2020 and was only closed as part of the measures to combat the coronavirus pandemic," Ortmann explained.
"The maintenance costs for the building and its outdated technical installations had increased significantly in the years before," he continued. "Structural damage and the outdated technical systems necessitated a major overhaul."
"In addition, the limited range of sports facilities had a negative impact on commercial viability, and there was no space within the building for expansion."
The glass facade has been restored
Alsterschwimmhalle's roof structure is just eight centimetres thick and reaches 24 metres at its peak. It covers a floor area of 4,500 square metres with spans as long as 96 metres, which the studio said makes it "one of the largest roofs of its kind in the world".
Three supports hold the roof up, two of which are linked via a tie beam beneath the main pool. Restoring the building without disrupting them posed a huge challenge for the studio.
The pool closed during the coronavirus pandemic
"The big challenge regarding structural safety related to the fact that parts of the old pool had to be demolished and rebuilt without modifying the existing roof or disturbing it during construction work," Ortmann explained.
"This meant that the tie beam between the foundations could not be touched and was constantly monitored during construction work."
Its roof has been restored with a new membrane and insulation, developed to withstand damage from rising chlorine, high humidity, and high temperatures.
As part of the project, the main glass facade and various exposed concrete surfaces have been revived, while the sports facilities themselves underwent a more extensive redesign.
Existing concrete surfaces have been left exposed
The 50-metre pool and its 10-metre diving board are largely unchanged, but its bleacher seating has been replaced with a separate diving pool.
All public spaces have been remodelled to maximise accessibility while building services have been updated to improve efficiency and environmental performance.
An extension to the north of the building to the north accommodates a second pool measuring 25 metres in length, alongside a training pool, changing rooms, saunas and fitness facilities.
According to GMP Architekten, the ambition for the extension was to ensure it read as part of the existing complex without mimicking it.
A new roof membrane prevents chlorine damage
"The necessary extensions were carefully integrated into the overall ensemble with respect for the existing listed building," said Ortmann.
"We did not try to imitate the original design language of the building with the conversion. The new building's architectural language, both inside and out, clearly contrasts with the refurbished existing building without overpowering it."
All spaces have been remodelled to maximise accessibility
Completing the building is a forecourt in front of the main entrance in addition to a new access route for cars. A pedestrianised entrance route from the east connects with the city.
"By opening up the site area to the neighbouring streets and parks we wanted to reestablish the connection between the Alsterschwimmhalle and the surrounding urban areas," concluded Ortmann.
"The open spaces were made accessible to the public, with pathways provided across the site. In parts, these were redesigned using, where possible, salvaged and restored materials from the original design."
