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Claro Arena

MASS TIMBER FOR A LANDMARK MULTIPURPOSE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT

Claro Arena, located in Las Condes, Santiago, is an icon of contemporary infrastructure in Chile, both for the incorporation of exposed massive wood in its structural system, and for its conception as a multipurpose venue for permanent use, designed to host activities and events that transcend the sporting field.

Project Data Claro Arena:

Year: 2025
Owner: Cruzados S.A.D.P.
Architect: IDOM
Mass Timber Engineering: Niuform
Structural System: Glulam (Glue-Laminated Timber)
Wood Volume: 1,500 m³ of structural timber Beams up to 32 m (105 ft) in length
Stored CO₂: approx. 2,500 metric tons
Ubicación: Las Condes, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile

A New Structure Built Over an Existing Stadium

Claro Arena is the result of a precise architectural strategy: preserving much of the original stadium structure while constructing a contemporary expansion over the existing concrete base.

The project transforms the venue into an active, year-round multipurpose facility, extending its function far beyond match days.

A continuous 360° perimeter boulevard connects the grandstands and redefines the stadium experience as an integrated piece of urban infrastructure.

Mass Timber as the Structural Centerpiece

The modernization incorporates approximately 1,500 m³ (53,000+ cubic feet) of engineered wood, positioning glulam as a primary structural system.
The stadium features 84 exposed primary beams, which are both structurally critical and architecturally expressive.
The largest members reach up to 32 meters (105 feet) in length, marking one of the most significant mass timber infrastructure developments in Chile.
The timber structure remains fully visible, reinforcing both the architectural identity and the spatial experience of the venue.

Roof Structures: Straight, Curved, and Hybrid Systems

Each stadium sector responds to a specific structural logic:

In sections such as Lepe and Prieto, straight glulam beams span approximately 17 meters (56 feet).
In Livingstone and Fouillioux, the structure becomes three-dimensional, combining timber and steel in complex curved geometries to achieve long-span performance.

These hybrid systems optimize structural efficiency while maintaining the warmth and presence of exposed timber.

A Façade that Filters Light and Defines Identity

The exterior envelope is wrapped in a vertical glulam louver system, conceived as a primary architectural layer. More than 400 m³ of timber form this permeable façade, designed to:

Regulate daylight penetration
Enhance natural ventilation
Integrate with the Andean foothill landscape

The wood façade provides environmental performance while establishing a distinctive architectural expression.

Industrial Precision and Large-Scale Installation

Niuform delivered the full development of the glulam structural components used in both the roof systems and façade.

Each element was:

Fully modeled in BIM
CNC-machined with millimeter precision
Prefabricated under controlled conditions

All beams arrived labeled and assembly-ready, combining plant pre-assembly with on-site installation strategies tailored to the complexity of each stadium sector.

In total, the stadium integrates more than 6,000 installed timber components as part of its structural system.