Museo del Acero (The Steel Museum)
Monterrey, Mexico
The Museo del Acero (The Steel Museum) is a Blast Furnace and steel production facility which has been redeveloped
as a part of the Parque Fundidora. The park is a National Industrial Archeological Heritage Site and receives more than
2 million visitors per year. The former industrial complex is now the home of galleries, shops, workspaces for local
artisans and has evening programs and concerts. The museum will be one of the premier venues when the city hosts
the International Culture Forum in 2007.
The design for the new museum converts some spaces within the 70 m (230 ft.) high furnace structure, as well as adding
approximately 8900 m² (96000 sq. ft.) of new exhibition, offices, workshops, educational spaces as well as an archive.
The Museo del Acero is an interactive museum experience where the story of steel production is told via technologically
advanced exhibits with pyrotechnics that nearly convince visitors that the factory is still in operation.
The most significant centerpiece of the project, the Furnace, is illuminated as the major focal point for the exterior, as
well as, the interior lobby. It is the heart of the museum itself and provides the metaphor for the color spectrum common
to the flame. Warm colors of light such as yellow, amber and red enhance and intensify the natural color of the building
and are balanced by the addition of blue and violet as a an accent and complementary color.
