ArcelorMittal : and the Fonds Kirchberg announce shortlist of three architectural practices to design new headquarters for ArcelorMittal in Kirchberg, Luxembourg

ArcelorMittal and the 'Fonds d'Urbanisation et d'Aménagement du Plateau de Kirchberg' announce that the architectural practices of Foster & Partners, Rem Koolhas OMA, and Wilmotte & Associés, have been shortlisted in the second phase of the project to design ArcelorMittal's new headquarters building in Kirchberg, Luxembourg.

The Fonds Kirchberg, owner of the land in the Kirchberg district and organizer of this consultation of architects by invitation, approved the proposal of the jury to retain these three firms based on the sketches provided. The shortlisted practices are acknowledged leaders in the design of modern office buildings using innovative steel solutions, and with the capability to compete with the quality of the institutional and cultural buildings which characterize this historical district of the Kirchberg plateau.

In the first phase, eight internationally renowned practices were invited to submit initial designs on April 27 and 28. Bernard Tschumi Architects, JSWD Architekten, Massimiliano Fuksas Architecture, Rafael Vinoly Architects and Von Gerkan, Marg and Partners were the additional architects included.

The jury proposing the shortlisted designs for both phases of the consultation is as follows:

• President: Mr. Aditya Mittal, ArcelorMittal Group CFO and CEO ArcelorMittal Europe
• 2 members, representatives of the ArcelorMittal Group
• 2 members, representatives of the Fonds Kirchberg (architects)
• 1 member, representative of the Luxemburgish State (architect, Public Buildings Administration)
• 1 member, representative of the city of Luxembourg (architect)
• 1 member, Luxemburgish independent architect
• 1 member, independent architect, Pr. in architecture

The shortlisted practices have now been asked to develop a more advanced architectural design to be submitted to the jury which will rank these projects and propose them to ArcelorMittal and to the Board of Fonds Kirchberg.

ArcelorMittal is the principal industrial employer of the Grand Duchy with over 4,000 employees. The construction of a new, landmark headquarters building illustrates the Group's determination to perpetuate its permanent presence in the country, where the company has not only its head offices, but also seven industrial sites producing or processing steel, and developing steel solutions for the construction, automotive, general industry and agriculture sectors of the economy. The project to design ArcelorMittal's new headquarters building will be a showpiece for the use of steel in sustainable construction. It will highlight the benefits that the use of ArcelorMittal's portfolio featuring steel construction products brings over conventional building materials. These include: the potential to add additional storeys within a given height due to the reduced floor thicknesses taken by steel construction products; increasing maximum span between structural columns, offering improved layout flexibility; less deep and so less costly foundations due to reduced weight of steel buildings; and finally an unsurpassed range of creative finished-surface opportunities.

In addition, sustainable development is at the heart of this ambitious project with an obligation for designers to respect the 'BREEAM outstanding' and 'DGNB Gold' environmental labels. The notion of low - carbon buildings, 'BBCA performant' and the circular economy approach 'cradle to cradle ' will also be developed. Finally, the well-being of the occupants will be calibrated thanks to a' WELL' label of Gold level. Aditya Mittal, CFO of ArcelorMittal and CEO of ArcelorMittal Europe stated: 'The review board had a difficult task in choosing amongst the extremely original and high quality proposals submitted. Now we are entering the second phase of this consultation, which is moving forward as planned. I eagerly await the proposals of the finalist firms, and I am sure that this new headquarters will be a model building that will demonstrate all that steel has to offer to architects, engineers, land developers, and building owners who are looking for the most efficient and creative construction solutions.'

Michel Wurth, President of ArcelorMittal Luxembourg, added: 'The proposals that were selected indicate that this new headquarters building will contribute, from an architectural point of view, to the influence of Luxembourg throughout Europe and abroad. This project, which evidences ArcelorMittal's intention that the headquarters of the world's first steelmaker will remain in Luxembourg, is a perfect illustration of our determination to maintain close ties between our Group and Luxembourg. It will further define the landscape of Luxembourg and will, I am sure, be appreciated by everyone who will work there.'

Press contact: Pascal Moisy, +352 47 92 28 59, pascal.moisy@arcelormittal.com

• Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) is the method of assessing the environmental behavior of buildings developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE), a private UK building research firm.
• The DGNB System provides an objective description and assessment of the sustainability of buildings and urban districts. If a performance requirement is met, the DGNB awards the DGNB certificate in bronze, silver, gold and platinum
• The BBCA label testifies to the exemplary of a building in terms of carbon footprint. The label includes three levels of performance: Standard, Performance, Excellence.
• The WELL Building Standard™ (WELL) consists of features across the seven concepts (air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort and mind) that comprehensively address not only the design and operations of buildings, but also how they impact and influence human behaviours related to health and well-being.