Project description by Sordo Madaleno
In preparation for the application of Asturias as one of the host cities for the FIFA World Cup in 2030, Sordo Madaleno together with Orlegi Sports present the proposal for the refurbishment and remodelling of the El Molinón stadium, home of Real Sporting de Gijón. The new El Molinón Stadium will encompass approximately 8.8 hectares of public space connected to the city of Gijón, Asturias. Seating at the Stadium will be temporarily increased to accommodate 9,000 additional visitors to the 33,650 fixed seats during the World Cup.
As the oldest professional football field in Spain, the El Molinón site holds significant historical importance. Renovating and enhancing the existing sports infrastructure is the primary objective of the project. Sordo Madaleno’s approach focuses on creating a series of semi-open spaces with a welcoming façade that seamlessly integrates the new and old elements of the building with its cityscape, lending views over Isabel La Católica Park and San Lorenzo Beach.
Sordo Madaleno has designed 10 covered, open-air circulation ramps that weave around the exterior of the stadium. These create a visually distinct structure that highlights the role that fans – La Mareona – play in defining the identity of the stadium as they move around it. The overall effect makes for a compelling, telegenic, softly red landmark for the region. The gentle gradient of the ramps ensures independent mobility and that these walkways are comfortable for local joggers to use outside the games season.
El Molinón football stadium remodelation by Sordo Madaleno. Rendering by Plomp.
The new design by Sordo Madaleno retains the position of the original pitch as well as over 28,000 sqm of the original built fabric and the number of seats for Real Sporting fans. It also builds on the pre-existing and thriving retail offer at the stadium and introduces an additional 12,600 sqm of space dedicated to a gastronomic corridor, restaurants, shops and cultural 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 the city to appreciate. It’s about connecting with Asturias and its people through an inclusive approach to architecture and ensuring that El Molinón thrives beyond 2030.”
Fernando Sordo Madaleno de Haro.
An important aspect of how Sordo Madaleno revisit the stadium as an architectural typology is that of creating a facility that has a function beyond game days. At El Molinón this is achieved through a mixed-use approach to the design that includes a scenic rooftop space to be used for hospitality and events including exhibitions by local artists. This dimension will support the region’s cultural profile and establish El Molinón as a year-round public destination accessible to residents and visitors.
Formally, the opening-up of the stadium design in a way that interacts with the surrounding parkland and invites the public realm as an extension of its architecture is typologically innovative in stadium design; because conventionally, sports architects favour a more hermetic approach of enclosed buildings in isolation from their context. This openness and highly contextual approach adopted by Sordo Madaleno is also celebratory on game days as fans – La Mareona – move along the stadium ramps in a pilgrimage-like homecoming procession.
El Molinón football stadium remodelation by Sordo Madaleno. Rendering by Plomp.
“Fernando Sordo Madaleno and his team have prepared a technically outstanding, viable and advanced project that will meet FIFA’s requirements. A modern, functional, digital and sustainable stadium.”
Alejandro Irarragorri, Chairman of the Board of Real Sporting de Gijón and Orlegi Sports.
For Sordo Madaleno a Mexico City and London-based architecture firm with 85 years of experience, the El Molinón project represents a unique opportunity to further the studio’s ties in Spain while bringing to it a Mexican sensibility that comes from being part of a diverse country committed to making each place more truly of itself.
Having completed over 400 projects, Sordo Madaleno has been successful in gaining commissions for city centres, holiday resorts, shopping districts and sports and healthcare facilities through their strength in understanding how to design spaces that focus on enabling social interaction. For El Molinón, the fans, players and community are at the heart of the Sordo Madaleno scheme and the traditions, rituals and opportunities that surround the games inform every aspect of the architecture.
