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Museo del Acero

Grimshaw, Monterrer Nuevo Leon, 2007

 

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The museum, located in the northern-Mexican city of Monterrey, abuts a disused, 63m-tall steel blast furnace that was once one of three all serving a large steel mill 

Miguel A Fuentes     Download Original

  • The museum, located in the northern-Mexican city of Monterrey, abuts a disused, 63m-tall steel blast furnace that was once one of three all serving a large steel mill    
  • The museum, located in the northern-Mexican city of Monterrey, abuts a disused, 63m-tall steel blast furnace that was once one of three all serving a large steel mill    
  • The blast furnace    
  • Grimshaw designed a series of stairs and pathways around the blast furnace and 40m-high stoves    
  • Grimshaw designed a series of stairs and pathways around the blast furnace and 40m-high stoves    
  • Grimshaw partner Vincent Chang said,     
  • Grimshaw partner Vincent Chang said,     
  • Grimshaw partner Vincent Chang said,     
  • Grimshaw designed a series of stairs and pathways around the blast furnace and 40m-high stoves    
  • The publicly accessible catwalk 7m above ground between the stoves    
  • A circular stair takes visitors to the first storey, where the cast hall, restaurant and administrative offices are located    
  • Vancouver-based Aldrich Pears Associates designed the exhibition space and lighting    
  • Internally, the blast furnace is the centre of attention, and forms the backdrop to the upper-floor performance space    
  • Internally, the blast furnace is the centre of attention, and forms the backdrop to the upper-floor performance space    
  • Grimshaw partner Vincent Chang said,     
  • Ground floor plan    
  • Upper-floor plan    
  • Cast hall section    
  • Cast hall gallery/steel gallery section    
  • Helical staircase ground level isometric    
  • Helical staircase upper-level isometric    
  • Louvres isometric    
  • Glazed facade isometric    
  • Steel gallery isometric    
  • Cladding detail    
  • Steel gallery terrace support detail    

Museo del Acero (Museum of Steel), built in and around a decommissioned blast furnace in Monterrey, Mexico

Situated in the Parque Fundidora, a National Industrial Archeological Heritage Site that receives more than two million visitors per year, the museum was completed in autumn 2007 when the city hosted the International Culture Forum.

The design converts the 70-metre-high furnace structure into a series of habitable volumes, adding 9,000m2 of indoor and outdoor museum space.

Intended to host an exposition of steel, the museum is being created partially as an adaptive re-use of the furnace, its platforms, tanks and control rooms, and partially as a new extension adjacent to the existing complex. A pyrotechnic “Furnace Show”, housed in the old Cast Hall, brings the blast furnace itself to simulated life and allows visitors the unique experience of touring inside it.

Data

  • Begun: Mar 2006
  • Completed: 2007
  • Floor area: 15,000m2
  • Sectors: Arts and culture, Industrial
  • Total cost: £35M
  • Tender date: Jan 2006
  • Procurement: AIA Document B151-1997 Abbreviated Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect
  • Address: Avenida Fundidora y Adolfo Prieto, Parque Fundidora, Colonia Obrera, Monterrer Nuevo Leon, C.P 64010, Mexico

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