Babcock & Wilcox Boilers Building

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Setúbal > Seixal > Arrentela > Quinta do Outeiro

Location:

The Babcock and Wilcox Boiler House is located at Quinta do Outeiro, in Arrentela, municipality of Seixal. It is situated close to the riverside of the Tagus, in a stretch where the industrial landscape blends with residential areas and urban green spaces.

The surroundings offer views of the river and the historic factories that characterize this south bank, allowing for distant observation of the other side of the Tagus. The gentle slope of the terrain and the presence of pedestrian access make the walk to the building pleasant, especially at dusk.

Industrial Origin

Erected in the early 20th century, this pavilion housed the boilers imported by the factory L. Mundet and Sons, a pioneer in cork processing. The Babcock and Wilcox boilers were recognized for their efficiency in steam production, which was fundamental for the bleaching and cooking of cork sheets.

The operation of the boilers allowed for the generation of the high pressure necessary for the engineering processes of the cork industry, anticipating mechanized production methods that, at the time, proved to be innovative and responsible for Mundet's export success.

Heritage and Memory

Since 2000, the Boiler House has been part of the Mundet Nucleus of the Seixal Municipal Ecomuseum, dedicated to disseminating the cork industrial heritage. Despite awaiting conservation work, the interior spaces retain original features of the piping, valves, and metal structures.

The punctual requalification, carried out in January 2021, focused primarily on repairing the exterior masonry and painting the metal surfaces, reinforcing the symbolic importance of this facility for the local community and the region's economic history.

Aesthetics and Environment

The architectural ensemble stands out for its combination of red brick masonry and bolted metal elements, highlighting the contrast between the robust and the light. The slender and tall chimney serves as a visual reference point in the surrounding urban landscape.

The dialogue between the building and the Tagus River continues in the reflections of the metal surfaces at sunset, creating a scene that emphasizes the historical dimension of the cork industry and its integration with the riverside environment.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt