Santiago Bernabéu Stadium Hypogeum
The project involved the design, development, integration, and commissioning of a high-performance HVAC and control system for the Hypogeum—the underground space where Real Madrid’s retractable natural grass pitch is stored when not in use. The system needed to recreate Alpine spring conditions for the turf’s growth and health during storage, regardless of the season.
The Santiago Bernabéu Hypogeum
The hypogeum is an underground chamber beneath the stadium that houses the retractable pitch when not in use. The field is split into six massive trays, each transported by automated trolleys into the hypogeum in about six hours. This system frees up 8,000 m² for multipurpose events, allowing the stadium to seamlessly switch between sports and entertainment uses.
When Real Madrid’s pitch is hidden away in the Hypogeum, it needs to be kept in the best possible condition.
This is where TALAT comes in, with the challenge of bringing together and controlling all the main parameters in the Hypogeum to ensure the continued growth and development of the plant. TALAT’s solution focuses on the Hypogeum’s entire HVAC system, which includes:
- 12 UTA units
- Underfloor heating 20 cm below the surface
- Air conditioning with trays and ventilation of the environment and system control.
- CO2 supply system to regulate photosynthesis.
In other words, the challenge was to achieve an impeccable air conditioning system that met the temperature and humidity conditions specified by the Agronomy department.
Precision Climate & Energy Control:
When the agronomy team raised the temperature and humidity requirements, TALAT had to redesign the system. Without changing the existing duct layout, they needed to fit more equipment and find a new way to meet these stricter conditions. The breakthrough came by comparing the Hypogeo to a cured meat drying room — where air must be dehumidified without cooling it below 16°C, despite the stadium’s chilled water being only 7°C.
- Energy valves for smart monitoring 64
- Monitored control points 8,400
- Free cooling capacity 120,000 m3
- Cooling capacity 2,800 kW
- Heating capacity 2,400 kW
- UTA units 12 units
