SteelCorp Deliver the World-Class Red Bull Bragantino Stadium, Showcasing the Power of Light Steel Frame Innovation
Project: Red Bull Bragantino Football Stadium
Location: São Paulo, Brazil
Duration: 8 months
Company: SteelCorp
Overview
When Red Bull Bragantino needed to expand its football stadium to meet the standards required for the Brazilian Championship and FIFA events, the timeline was tight and the design complex. SteelCorp took on the challenge, delivering a complete stadium transformation in just eight months using light steel frame (LSF) technology.
This project didn’t just meet the schedule, it redefined what was possible for large-scale sports infrastructure in Brazil.
The Challenge
The project required expanding an existing stadium with new grandstands, press facilities, hospitality spaces and a three-story operations building, all while keeping the football field untouched and actively maintained throughout construction.
“The site logistics were incredibly complex,” says Chiara Ferro, Executive Manager of the Projects Department at SteelCorp.
“The grass could not be touched. Construction happened around it while the field itself was being planted, it was almost poetic, watching the grass grow as the stadium rose.”
With inspection deadlines from FIFA, the Fire Department and local authorities, the team faced intense time pressure to deliver a fully compliant facility ready for the 2025 season.
The Solution: Building with Light Steel Frame
To meet these demands, SteelCorp turned to light steel frame construction, integrating offsite manufacturing and DfMA (Design for Manufacture and Assembly) principles from the start.
“Using light steel frame was essential,” says Chiara. “It allowed us to move much of the work off-site. When the foundations were ready, the structures were ready too. That’s what made it possible to meet the championship schedule.”
The project’s modular design and precise prefabrication enabled multiple construction activities to occur simultaneously, saving weeks compared to traditional concrete methods.
Innovation in Design and Engineering
Developing tiered spectator seating structures in light steel frame was an engineering first for a stadium of this scale in Brazil. SteelCorp’s design and innovation teams collaborated across disciplines, performing detailed structural calculations, foundation studies and extensive testing to ensure performance and safety under stadium conditions.
“Everything was new, the structure, the assembly, even the anti-crushing bars and handrails,” explains Chiara. “It was a design and execution challenge that pushed us to innovate at every level.”
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Collaboration and Integration
SteelCorp’s integrated workflow connected design, manufacturing and on-site teams through a seamless digital process. Using Autodesk Revit and FRAMECAD software, the team developed detailed 3D models that linked directly to factory machinery for cold-formed steel production.
“The projects department feeds the factory and receives feedback in return,” says Chiara. “This continuous loop allows us to improve design accuracy and on-site efficiency.”
Results
- Construction completed in 8 months
- Full compliance with FIFA and local inspection requirements
- Zero disruption to the football field
- Innovative first for LSF stadium structures in Brazil
Beyond the immediate success, the project delivered long-term value for SteelCorp, setting new standards for precision, collaboration and industrialized construction.
“It taught us to think outside the box,” says Chiara. “When a challenge seems impossible, we study it until we make it happen.”
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Looking Ahead
SteelCorp continues to push boundaries in industrialized construction, now working on a five-story light steel frame building, one of the first of its kind in Brazil. The company’s focus remains on affordable housing and multi-story innovations, improving processes with every project.
Chiara believes the market is at a tipping point:
“Within a year, we’ll see huge growth in industrialized construction across Brazil. Our country is creative, resourceful and ready to lead.”
Conclusion
The Red Bull Bragantino Stadium stands as a landmark achievement in Brazil’s construction industry, demonstrating how light steel framing and industrialized design can meet even the most demanding schedules without compromising standards or innovation.
SteelCorp’s success with this project showcases the power of integrated design and engineering to deliver smarter, faster and more sustainable construction outcomes.
Please contact our team for more information about light steel frame here.
