New phase of the Agravitas expansion

On 19 January 2024, the first V-columns of the structure of the expansion of the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum were placed. This marked a very important milestone in the implementation of the Agravitas project, designed by Norman Foster and Luis María Uriarte.

Since then, the assembly of the columns for the entire expansion—which are now visible—has been completed. These columns consist of two rows of three 12-meter long V-shaped tubular supporting structures. On these, the first supports for the horizontal structure were installed.

Over the next three weeks, three main lattices, made of advanced high-strength steel, measuring 55 m long and weighing 87 tons, will be installed.

Moreover, over the next few days, the lattices will be installed from south to north, followed by the secondary lattices that will make up the main structure of expansion building’s ground floor and the floor of its second floor. One of the challenges of this project is completing it without affecting the existing buildings or trees in the park. To do so, all work is being done with heavy-lift cranes (with a capacity of 800 or 600 tons), which make it possible to lift the complete metallic structures without requiring interim provisional support.

The safety requirements of placing the three lattices will require short-term museum closures, which will be announced in a timely manner.