It’s another great one from AVNation!
As you may know by now (but it’s okay if you don’t), rAVe [PUBS] has partnered with AVNation to grow the AV industry. Through this partnership, AV Buyers Club — our publication arm specifically for technical end users, in-house integrators and the like — is working with AVNation to create more content specifically for those important people in AV.
Recently, Tim Albright hosted an AVNation podcast with Brad Hintze and Antonio Ortega from Crestron to discuss one of the most ambitious stadium projects in the world right now: the renovation of Spotify Camp Nou, home to FC Barcelona.
Tim introduces the conversation noting that Spotify Camp Nou is located in Barcelona and that Crestron is playing a critical role in the renovation project. Brad set the stage by explaining the scale of the project, noting that once complete, Spotify Camp Nou will be one of the largest stadiums in Europe, with a capacity of 105,000 people.
The renovation of the stadium and the revitalization of the space around it are part of a $1.7 billion project called Espai Barça. The goal of the project is to better utilize the area beyond the 20 to 25 match days per year into a year-round, multi-use venue that provides captivating experiences for guests.
Brad said one of the interesting things about this project is that “this isn’t really a stadium problem. It’s actually a systems problem.” The three pillars of content, collaboration and control are not only required in stadiums, but also in auditoriums, enterprise buildings and even homes. The scale changes, but the needs remain consistent, and the problems they are trying to solve are similar.
Another interesting feature of the renovation will be the ability to share music and video throughout the stadium. Antonio explained how an FC Barcelona player can use Bluetooth to play their Spotify playlist through the venue’s speakers before a match. The system also supports stadium-wide promotions and branded experiences.
Antonio said the focus is on end users and providing them with memorable experiences. In addition, the team is simplifying venue operations to support different uses every day. Brad discussed flexible systems that can be managed centrally with fewer people, making it easier and cheaper to host smaller VIP events on nonmatch days.
When it comes to what IT directors can learn from this project, Brad said, “focus on scale, not just solving an individual tactical problem. Simplify the management, simplify the deployment, simplify making it easy for people to walk in and use the technology.” Brad noted these are fundamental truths that translate across environments.
Antonio said everything they are doing now will be completely viable five to 10 years from now because the project is based around IP technologies. The solution that Crestron designed for Espai Barça will make it easier to upgrade over time as needs continue to evolve.
What impressed me the most was the focus on efficiency and scalability. By designing a unified, IP-based solution with virtual control and centralized management, FC Barcelona is ensuring that the stadium can become a true multi-purpose venue supporting year-round events.
You can watch the full interview here.
