Palau Sant Jordi

The Palau Sant Jordi, located on Montjuïc in Barcelona, is one of the city’s most iconic sports and cultural facilities. Designed by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki, it was completed in 1990 in preparation for the 1992 Olympics, an event that marked a turning point for Barcelona, transforming it into a modern and cosmopolitan city. This building represents an example of cutting-edge architecture, not only for its aesthetics but also for the technical solutions adopted. The design of the Palau Sant Jordi combines elegance and functionality. Its structure includes a large central dome measuring 136 meters in length by 110 meters in width, which was assembled on the ground and then lifted to a height of 45 meters using the Panto-Dome system. This technical innovation allowed for the creation of a large column-free space, ideal for hosting sports events and concerts. The dome is supported by a network of 4,000 cylindrical bars and 500 spherical nodes, giving it exceptional stability. The Palau Sant Jordi was designed to be a multifunctional building. During the 1992 Olympics, it hosted artistic gymnastics, volleyball, and handball competitions. Today, it continues to be one of the main venues for sports events, concerts, and large-scale performances. Its capacity can vary from 16,000 to 24,000 seats depending on the configuration, making it one of the largest indoor spaces in Spain. After the Olympics, the palace continued to host internationally renowned events, helping to solidify the city’s image as a cultural and sports capital. Memorable concerts by artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, U2, and Lady Gaga have made the Palau a sought-after destination for music lovers. In addition to concerts, the Palau Sant Jordi has been the stage for globally significant sporting events, such as the 2003 World Swimming Championships and the Davis Cup tennis finals. This versatile use is made possible by the modular design of the interior spaces, which allows for the quick adaptation of the structure to the different needs of the events hosted. During construction, innovative solutions were adopted for energy saving and resource management. The air conditioning system uses natural air currents to cool the interior, combining heat pumps and exchangers to maximize energy efficiency. This focus on sustainability makes the Palau Sant Jordi a pioneering example in the field of ecological architecture.