Faro Santander has transformed the historic headquarters of Banco Santander in Santander, Spain, into a new cultural landmark. Designed by David Chipperfield Architects, the intervention adapts the historic building for contemporary cultural use while retaining its architectural character. The project combines exhibition spaces, art collections and public areas across more than 10,000 m² of usable space on 10 floors, including approximately 3,000 m² of gallery space across five floors.
A key element of the transformation is the extensive use of high-performance architectural glass supplied by Tvitec System Glass. The project incorporates oversized glass panels reaching up to 8 metres in height, manufactured to meet demanding aesthetic and technical requirements. The large-format glazing is integrated into double-glazed insulating glass units, providing thermal performance while maintaining extensive transparency and visual continuity within the building.
The glazing specification also includes fire-resistant glass, demonstrating the combination of architectural and safety requirements involved in the project. These solutions highlight the specialised processing capabilities required for large-scale cultural and heritage projects, where glass must perform structurally, thermally and in terms of fire protection while maintaining a refined appearance.
Faro Santander has also achieved an Outstanding BREEAM certification with a score of 92.96, reflecting the project’s emphasis on environmental performance. The result reinforces the role of advanced glazing in the redevelopment of significant architectural landmarks. 
Source: Tvitec System Glass with additional information added by Glass Balkan
