Iron in modern architecture: From skyscrapers to sculptures

At Hierros Mora Antón, we know that iron is much more than a simplebuilding material. Over the years, we have seen how this metal has becomethe soul of some of the world’s most impressive architectural projects. Fromskyscrapers that touch the sky to monumental sculptures, iron continues to be a mainstay in modern architecture. Today, we want to share with you some fascinating examples of the use of iron in contemporary designs that challenge the limits of creativity and engineering.

For cities to grow skyward, they need a material capable of withstanding the weight and stresses of structures that exceed 300 metres in height. Iron is the backbone of these modern giants. A clear example is the iconic Empire State Building in New York, whose construction required around 57,000
tonnes of iron – that’s the weight of about 9,500 African elephants! This incredible amount of material has kept this skyscraper standing since 1931, making it a symbol of 20th century architecture and engineering. In more recent times, the Shanghai Tower in China, at an imposing 632
metres high, used more than 80,000 tonnes of iron and steel in its structure. To put it in perspective, that would be enough to build ten Eiffel Towers. And it is precisely this versatility and strength of iron that makes the creation of these giants possible.

Iron is not only used for skyscrapers, but also the basis for monumental sculptures that capture the imagination of all who see them. The Statue of Unity in India, the world’s tallest statue at 182 metres, is a striking example. Its construction required more than 6,500 tonnes of iron, much of it recycled
from agricultural machinery. This monument not only pays homage to a national hero, but also underlines the power of iron as a transformative material. In the field of Spanish art, we can highlight Eduardo Chillida’s Peine del Viento, an iron masterpiece weighing around 10 tonnes. This monumental sculpture, located on the coast of San Sebastian, defies the pounding of the Bay of Biscay, demonstrating the durability and beauty of iron in extreme conditions.

Iron is the invisible skeleton that enables some of the world’s most creative buildings to stand. One example is the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, famous for its undulating titanium façade. However, few people know that the structure supporting this architectural marvel is made of more than 12,000 tonnes of iron, which allows for the impossible shapes that define the building. Another example is the Beijing Olympic Stadium, also known as the ‘Bird’s Nest’, which was built using 42,000 tonnes of iron. This combination of functionality and art is a testament to the crucial role of iron in contemporary architecture.

At Hierros Mora Antón, we are proud to be part of this legacy. Iron has not only been an indispensable material in the past, but also remains fundamental to the future of construction. Did you know that more than 90% of the iron used today in architectural projects comes from recycled
materials? This not only makes it strong and versatile, but also sustainable, a key feature in modern architecture.