The design studio Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos and the Mexican sports management company Orlegi Sports presented their proposal for the refurbishment and remodeling of El Molinón Stadium in Gijón, Spain. The Molinón Stadium, officially the Estadio Municipal El Molinón-Enrique Castro ‘Quini,’ has a 30,000 capacity and is the home of Real Sporting de Gijón. The main purpose of the project is to renovate and enhance the existing sports infrastructure while maintaining the original pitch’s locations and conserving over 28,000 sqm of the initially built structure and the number of seats for visitors.
The new sports hub will enrich the stadium’s significant historical importance. With a public space of around 8.8 hectares, the hub will offer a new, high-quality environment that will be ready to host one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world, the FIFA 2030 World Cup. The new stadium will not only be a place to watch sports but will also be a community space for people to come together and enjoy a range of activities.
“Our close collaboration with Real Sporting de Gijón is about rethinking stadium design in a way that makes for a truly public place for everyone in Gijón to appreciate. It’s about connecting with the Asturias and its people through an inclusive approach to architecture and ensuring that El Molinón thrives beyond 2030.”
Fernando Sordo Madaleno de Haro, partner of SMA
The new stadium has a distinctive look with 10 covered but open-air circulation ramps that weave around. The reason behind this design, according to the architects, is to create a visually distinct structure that emphasizes the role that fans play in defining the stadium’s identity as they move around it. The ramps also enhance mobility and can be used by walkers and joggers on non-match days. The overall effect makes the building a compelling and visually striking landmark for the area.
The goal is to make El Molinón stadium a year-round public destination that is accessible to both locals and visitors. This will help to promote the region’s cultural profile. To achieve this, the design retains the pitch’s position and over 28,000 square meters of the original built fabric. Additionally, it introduces another 12,600 square meters of space that will be used for a ‘gastronomic corridor,’ restaurants, shops, and cultural activities.
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