ArcelorMittal Global R&D Centre Spain: a showcase of the company's product range

ArcelorMittal's Global Research & Development Centre building in the north of Spain is composed of a set of metallic volumes in colours inspired by those resulting from the steel production process. It consists of a steel structure with ACB® cellular beams and composite flooring, ST® Lumiére, and ST 300 were used for the cladding.

Detailed information

Architectural concept

The concept for the new ArcelorMittal Global Research and Investigation Centre was born during the architect's first visit to the site by taking into account its industrial history.

The slab parks of the ArcelorMittal factory, located just next to the area where the new building was planned, provided the inspiration for the project: the urge to play with these great steel pieces was present from the beginning in the architect's drawings and working models. Throughout the course of the work, the slabs were given life and content as if they were sculptures of Richard Serra, Eduardo Chillida, or Jorge Oteiza.

The result was the creation of an urban building that maintains the essence of the streets, courtyards, and emotions that can be experienced in the historical centre of Avilés. A number of modular volumes (slabs) are piled up to form the building, leaving space for patios, terraces, and viewpoints.

The aim was the creation of a building, both living and to be lived in, with large accessible roofs that offer stunning views of the city and the sea. The building's functions go beyond those of a business park: It constitutes a new space for the city that can host any type of cultural and artistic event apart from those of the steel industry.

It is an industrial building that establishes a connection with the ArcelorMittal factory; the landscape dominated by old chimneys, cranes, and ships; and the city of Avilés in its advanced process of expansion and modernisation.

The visitor is received by a set of volumes that open up to the south, towards the city. The colour red occasionally accompanies the different access points and inner circulations, reminiscent of the main colours seen in the steel production process.

The interiors are full of light, contrasting its dark exteriors. The building's steel structure is visible, as are a great part of its technical installations.

A showcase of ArcelorMittal steel solutions

The building's steel structure consists of IPE, HEA, and HEB sections in S-275JR steel grade with different dimensions and ACB® cellular beams fabricated from IPE 400 and 450 sections. The flooring system is realised with the composite flooring system Cofraplus® 60.

For the facades, the perforated ST® Lumiere and ST 300, an aesthetic panel with plain surface, were used - both made of black prepainted steel. The stairs in the courtyard stand out with their red colour and are made with tear plates, also supplied by ArcelorMittal. 

Project information

  • Avilés
  • Spain
  • Architect:
    [baragaño] and Impulso
  • 2011
  • Owner:
    Fundación Metal
  • Engineering office:
    Tectum
  • Contractor:
    Comsa, Esdehor, Tamargo, Contratas Iglesias
  • Photographer:
    Mariela Apollonio
  • Text:
    [baragaño] & Constructalia