Palsun polycarbonate panels from Palram

Palsun polycarbonate panels were specified on the largest glazed roof in the world.

While the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain, at least in Vitoria, capital of the Basque province of Alava, spectators at the Plaza De Toros are protected from any inclement weather.

This is because the bull-ring features the de rigeur, status symbol of the modern day stadium - a retractable roof.

With its feature roof and contemporary facade, Spain's traditional pastime is no longer presented in its traditional setting.

While the Plaza De Toros retains the 'bull-ring' format, the design concept is clearly more prominence than provenance, standing out in bold contrast to the surrounding residential district and rolling hills.

However, with few precedents of retractable roofing, form and function was to be considered in equal parts.

With polycarbonate being half the weight of glass and two hundred times stronger, Palsun polycarbonate panels were specified, similar to those used on the largest glazed roof in the world, the Olympic Stadium in Athens and produced by the same team at Palram's production facility in Doncaster.

With its retractable roof in place, the Plaza De Toros was transformed into a multi-purpose, all year round venue and has been elevated into a very select group of stadia.

Yoav Grinberg, Managing Director of Palram Europe concurs that stadium with this technology are few and far between.

"Currently, there are only 30 stadia in the world either in the planning, under construction or actually using a retractable roof".

"What's more, with the Plaza De Toros utilising a transparent, Palsun roof, natural daylight can enter the arena even when the roof is closed".

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