Located on a principle location in the centre of the city of Bilbao, framed at the end of one of the principal roads in the urban grid, the stadium is an important part of the city fabric, hence the new stadium needed to have a strong iconic identity whilst also respecting the tight urban fabric of the surroundings. The mass of the stadium and its location have been carefully designed to create a new public realm around the stadium to allow for crowds to gather and move safely. The façade and shape of the building has become an iconic emblem of the club and the city. Additionally the new stadium has a strong presence along the banks of the River Nervion, which is famous as the location for the Guggenheim museum, and has to respond to these iconic buildings, adding to the complexity of the architectural solution. Hovering above the buildings directly alongside the river bank the stadiums presence dominates the views, in a distinguished manner, not overbearing but sitting as a triumphant gesture of the advances in the city, culturally, socially and politically. The new stadium is designed with a permeable ETFE façade, which creates a constant interaction between the inside of the stadium and the public spaces around. Known as the Cathedral, an innovative lighting solution allows the panels to be lit up and animated, creating a glowing reference that is seen from within the city and from the surrounding hills. The building is now a new reference in the City and has been recognised with design awards and recently conferred as an UEFA elite stadium. The passionate fans of the club have embraced the new stadium, recognising its qualities including the unique atmosphere it generates. The phased construction meant that one end of the stadium would remain open for one whole season. The ¾ built stadium therefore had to be structurally sound in isolation. The solution was to use radial cantilevered trusses spanning more than 50m. The design was tested in wind tunnels to check both the interim construction, with one end open, and the fully completed stadium. The covering with ETFE cushions ensures a good balance of light structural loads, spectators comfort and natural pitch growth. www.bilbaostadium.com