The Chilean Stadium That Is Conquering the World: Claro Arena Is Building of the Year 2026
Claro Arena has officially been named Building of the Year 2026. The recognition granted by ArchDaily in the Sports Architecture category not only celebrates the architectural excellence of the project, but also places Chile at the forefront of the international sustainable construction landscape.
This milestone fills us with pride. Located in Las Condes, Chile, Claro Arena prevailed over outstanding finalists from across multiple continents, consolidating its position as a global benchmark in high-standard sports infrastructure. With nearly 40,000 square meters built, the project demonstrates that large-scale developments can successfully combine local identity, technological innovation, and a long-term environmental vision.
Wood at the Core of a World-Class Recognition
The involvement of Niuform was key to integrating wood as the primary material in a project that now marks a turning point in sports architecture. This development validates, on a global stage, the structural, aesthetic, and environmental potential of wood when applied through advanced engineering and industrialized construction processes.
More than a material, wood stands here as a statement of principles: building with lower environmental impact, optimizing resources, and delivering sustainable solutions without compromising scale or technical complexity.
A Milestone for Sustainable Construction in Chile
This award recognizes not only an exceptional building, but also a way of doing things. It reinforces the conviction that timber construction is ready to lead a new generation of infrastructure—one in which innovation and environmental responsibility move forward together.
As Juan Pablo Pereira, Managing Director of CMPC Maderas, stated:
Wood has arrived to revolutionize the construction industry, and this project is definitive proof. We are demonstrating that it is possible to create high-standard buildings that are both sustainable and functional. This is only the beginning of a new era in which innovation and respect for the environment define every project we deliver.
The international recognition of Claro Arena sends a clear signal: the future of sports architecture is already underway, and wood will play a leading role in that journey.
