In 2005, Futbol Club Barcelona decided to replace their current benches, which had become outdated and degraded. The commission arose with the aim of dignifying this element on the field as a symbol of the club. It should be noted that the project had a major premise: the construction had to be fast and efficient in order not to disrupt the schedule of activities at Camp Nou throughout the year.

The design of the new benches is approached with consideration of three scales.

On-field spectacle. The intention is to create a distinguishable object with its own identity within the immense presence of Camp Nou. An object capable of standing out as a focal point during moments of spectacle, such as the players’ entrance, or at other times, of allowing the game to take center stage.

Off-field spectacle. The new benches aim to serve as a backdrop for the more theatrical activities of the football players, providing a stage for media coverage. Special attention is given to the design of a frontal elevation that clearly defines its own entity.

Human scale for users. The benches serve as a refuge, a small protective cave within the field, for players, coaches, and other members of the team. The design focuses on creating a more enclosed space to make the project comfortable and provide a place to disconnect.

The object is formed by a modular structure composed of circular metal ribs. These ribs, spaced equidistantly at a distance of 2.40 meters between them, unify the two benches, home and away, into a single volume with a canopy that provides unity to the project.

This structure and the cover are used to integrate with the entrance of the dressing room tunnel in its central part, dividing the bench into two distinct areas symmetrically separated in relation to this access axis.

In 2022, the renovation project for the benches is proposed, taking advantage of the summer break in the schedule to carry out the construction work. The reason for the renovation is to update the space according to new regulatory requirements and the club’s needs. This involves increasing the seating capacity for both teams and a visual refresh.

The goal of the new intervention is to maintain the same language and the existing values of the original project, even though the geometry of the object needs to be modified. Additionally, the opportunity is taken to renew the materials of the flooring, paints, and seats in order to align them with the new corporate image of Futbol Club Barcelona.