Photographer: Aitor Ortiz

Hisbalit, a leader in the design and manufacture of glass mosaic tiles, has been selected to surface the changing rooms of the new San Mamés stadium in the centre of Bilbao, designed by IDOM/ACXT studio.

The former stadium of the Athletic Club de Bilbao, popularly known as the “cathedral of football”, posed a tremendous challenge in the design of the new San Mamés stadium, which sought to preserve the magical atmosphere and intensity of the legendary stadium. The new stadium has not only maintained the mythical aura of its predecessor but has surpassed it in many ways, meeting the expectations and requirements of the fans.

So successful was the new stadium that it was named the Best Sport Architecture of the Year in the World Architecture Festival 2015 (WAF).

The contribution of Hisbalit
The interior of the stadium is characterised by its use of simple and elegant materials, effectively transmitting the corporate identity of the Athletic Club de Bilbao. Particularly striking is the unity of design throughout the building, using the red and white colours so characteristic of the Club.

The changing rooms were finished using glass mosaic tiles by the firm Hisbalit; specifically models 103A and 176F from its Unicolor collection, in the square 2.5x2.5 cm format. These colours fit perfectly with the decorative style of the new stadium: a combination of red and white incorporating into the chromatic range of the building as a whole and matching the distinctive colours of the Club. Furthermore, these materials are ideally suited to the minimalist, modern and elegant aesthetic of the space.

The unique characteristics of the glass mosaic tile by Hisbalit once again made it the ideal choice for the architects. These non-porous tiles provide the perfect solution, especially in high traffic areas such as changing rooms, and are highly resistant to abrupt temperature changes, impacts and wear. The tiles also serve as effective insulation, preventing frictions, humidity and the appearance of mould and mildew. Additionally, these glass mosaic tiles are highly cost-effective, virtually maintenance free and have a durability of 35 to 40 years.

The new San Mamés stadium
In terms of design, one of the fundamental objectives was to incorporate the building into the urban landscape, respecting the established characteristics of this area of Bilbao. This was fully achieved. The stadium has an intense and striking harmony with its surroundings and with the city.

The façade is one of the key elements in the singularity of the new San Mamés stadium and the repetition of the torsioned ETFE panels provides unity and dynamism to the structure.

When illuminated at night, this façade creates a striking urban landmark on the river, projecting a bold and energetic image of the city of Bilbao to the world. Additionally, as with the old San Mamés stadium, the configuration of the stands is fully oriented towards the pitch for the maximum involvement of the spectator in the match. The new stadium has a capacity of over 53,000 spectators and offers ample space for both public and private use. The new San Mamés stadium constitutes another architectural landmark for the capital of Viz