The current remodeling project started in June 2012, when the team composed by L35 Architects, in collaboration with GMP and Ribas & Ribas, submitted the winning proposal for the competition sponsored by Real Madrid.

A key aspect of the proposal was a flexible cladding system capable of adapting to project requirements. The curved geometry of the facade reflects light dynamically, with edges that express movement and produce a changing perception of the building depending on distance and perspective. The design harmonizes the stadium with the urban scale, creating a strong visual identity as a city landmark.

The cladding, conceived as a permeable steel skin, allows light and air to pass through its parametrically designed panels, ensuring natural ventilation for circulation galleries. Reflective steel and surface treatments create a diffuse effect, integrating the stadium with its surroundings. The curves and sinuous forms of the facade dematerialize its volume, reducing its visual impact and enhancing its connection to the urban context.

This approach redefines the Bernabéu as both a bold architectural statement and a contextual urban element, balancing functionality and aesthetics to transform the stadium into a dynamic icon integrated with its setting.

The competition proposal for the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium focused on creating a public entrance and redefining its integration with the city. Previously, the stadium had 57 doors but lacked a main entrance. The design introduced a prominent access point on the Paseo de la Castellana, beneath a large overhang of the new facade, establishing a grand public lobby that enhances the stadium’s connection to the city. On the east side, a new outdoor area was designed facing Plaza de los Sagrados Corazones. This space, transformed into a public plaza, features earth mounds that conceal underground vehicle access and hide ventilation stacks among vegetation, offering a protected area amidst surrounding traffic.