Spanish architecture and design studio System Arquitectura envelops the Mayoral New Warehouse Logistics Centre in Spain in a façade inspired by the fluidity of textiles that enhances natural light and conceals the rigid mechanics of logistics. The expansive building reimagines industrial architecture, wrapping storage and function in an urban aesthetic that reflects the stylish, high-end design principles of the Spanish children’s clothing brand known for its attention to detail and craftsmanship.

"The idea of the project lies in the urban implantation within the logistics centre next to the existing warehouse," the design team remarks in an official statement. Premised on a cohesive visual and conceptual integration, the logistics centre is located next to the existing 11-metre-high warehouse designed by Spanish architect Ramón Vázquez Molezún, known for his work in modernist architecture and rehabilitated by System Arquitectura in 2018.

Situated in an area rich with industrial history, the new building complements and contrasts with the existing urban fabric. The design respects the scale and character of the surrounding structures. The perforated structures embody Mayoral’s principle of adaptability, while their designs pay homage to the textile industry through materiality and form.

While logistic centres are typically seen as monotonous, utilitarian spaces, this institutional design reimagines that stereotype. By incorporating sweeping arches and fluid façades, it elevates the role of a logistics hub, turning it into a visually appealing addition to the city.

The industrial design navigates the challenge of blending into the urban context while addressing the stark height difference between the existing and new buildings. The Spanish designers responded by softening the building’s volumetric form and eschewing the conventional industrial geometry of sharp rectilinear edges in favour of fluidity. Five sweeping arches, subdivided into smaller ones, stretch across its four 20-metre-high faces, diffusing the structure’s sheer mass and conjuring the illusion of a draped textile. This rhythmic interplay of scale and curvature transforms the façade into a dynamic surface, shifting perception from different vantage points.

The layered transparency of the gossamer skin further reinforces its textile-inspired essence, folding, filtering and enveloping space in an architectural interpretation of fabric. Drawing from the artist duo Christo Vladimirov Javacheff and Jeanne-Claude’s monumental wrappings, the façade takes on a sculptural presence, sheathed in a meticulously engineered double bioclimatic skin: an internal layer of translucent polycarbonate multi-cell panels ensures insulation, waterproofing, impact resistance and diffusion of natural light while the outer surface of micro-perforated, folded zinc sheets mitigates solar exposure and augments thermal efficiency.

"This energy-efficient design creates visually dynamic appearances, especially when illuminated at night,” the designers note in the official release. “The innovative approach minimises the need for artificial lighting, regulates the building’s energy consumption along the entire height of its four facades,” they add.

The spatial design of the 18,814 sqm institutional building is a refined orchestration of storage and operational efficiency. Within this expansive volume, a 3,163 sqm mezzanine floor hovers at a height of 4.5 metres, creating an intermediary layer of operations that enhances dimensional coherence. A striking metallic spiral staircase ascends from this transitional floor to the roof, melding circulation in a sculptural yet pragmatic gesture. This multi-layered approach optimises workflow and imbues the warehouse with a dynamic spatial hierarchy. Inside the warehouse, the choice of materials further reinforces the project’s dedication to efficiency. The use of exposed concrete and steel creates a stark contrast to the exterior, offering a sense of industrial honesty. These materials not only enhance the durability but also contribute to minimising maintenance and ensuring long-term resilience.

The logistics centre is meticulously prefabricated and assembled, allowing for scrupulous execution, budget adherence and minimal on-site disruption. “The use of prefabrication and BIM technology throughout the design, project and construction processes ensured not only precise budget and deadline compliance but also minimised on-site disruption and waste," the architects mention. The structural framework comprising triangulated tubular steel beams spanning up to 32 metres is also manufactured off-site and seamlessly integrated, reinforcing the efficiency of the mechanised process.

With the Mayoral Warehouse Logistics Centre, System Arquitectura has crafted a statement where structure, history, and sustainability converge into a singular, cloaked form that defines the evolving lexicon of industrial design. By integrating passive sustainable design measures with an expressive architectural language, the project demonstrates how technical spaces can transcend mere utility to become symbols of environmental responsibility and aesthetic innovation.

Project Details

Name: The Mayoral New Warehouse Logistics Centre
Location: Avenida Ortega y Gasset, Intelhorce, Málaga, Spain
Architect: System Arquitectura
Principal Architects: Rafael Urquiza
Structural Engineering: CEMOSA
Contractor: SANDO
Client: MAYORAL MODA INFANTIL SAU
Total Floor Area: 18,814.56 sq m
Site Area: 126,199.63 sq m