Leading Japanese architectural, engineering, and urban design firm Nikken Sekkei has announced that work has already begun on the iconic FC Barcelona’s stadium coming up in the Spanish region of Camp Nou.

The Futur Camp Nou stadium is in the process of being expanded and renovated at a cost of €360 million ($396 million) and once completed by 2024, its capacity will increase from the present 99,000 to 105,000 seats, stated the company on the opening day (September 25) of Cityscape Global in Dubai World Trade Centre.

The new-look stadium will boast several key features. Many of the facilities will 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, it stated.

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," he stated.

According to him, the 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, he added.

Nikken was originally one of eight 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.

The Japanese group is exhibiting a scale model of the renovated and expanded Futur Camp Nou on its stand at ongoing Cityscape Global.-TradeArabia News Service