Workers’ homes built by Asturian mining companies

Providing homes for a population of mining workers that was growing at the same rate as the mining activity itself became a priority for the Asturian mining companies. The building rate accelerated at times of a high demand for coal, which in turn caused a large increase in the workforce, pushed into scarce, expensive homes lacking the most basic requirements as far as hygiene. The characteristic division of space in the mining industry had its counterpart in home planning, as each professional section was assigned a dwelling in agreement to its status within the company’s hierarchy.

Home developments were built in very diverse environments. There were some small isolated settlements, such as the village of Rioseco in Riosa. There were also homes built in multipurpose areas, such as La Cuadriella in Turón, and also right next to the mines, for instance the settlements of Solvay, Lieres, and La Nueva, in Langreo. In certain cases there were building developments within city limits near the work areas or on the outskirts: Barredos in Laviana and Rioturbio in Mieres are two such examples of home development from the early post-war period of economic self-sufficiency.

The homes themselves were also very diverse, ranging from very basic barracks-style developments to luxury single-family homes for the management. In certain cases design took its inspiration from the traditional Asturian country residence, whereas in other cases it was foreign models like the British garden-city, for example at the Garden Homes of La Cuadriella, in Turón. Some of the more interesting constructions can be found in Ujo and Figaredo, in Mieres – multi-storey buildings with a very elongated floor plan featuring corridors along the main facade that end in stairwells attached to one of the side walls.