The official opening of the SEAT Design Center - the only fully-integrated center of its kind for the car industry in Spain - took place on 30 October 2007.

From left to right, SEAT’s Chairman Erich Schmitt, President of the Catalan government (Generalitat), and Luc Donckerwolke, director of Design of SEAT, during the signing of the book of honor by the president of the Generalitat.	Jose Montilla and Erich Schmitt next the plaque commemorating the official opening of the SEAT Design Center

The building, located within SEAT’s Technical Center, will enable the company to "fully harness synergies in Research and Development (R&D) in order to provide design, one of the main defining features of the Spanish brand’s models, with greater momentum."

From the official Press Release:

Covering a total surface area of 5,600 m2, the new facility is a building designed by and for designers.

The original concept came from SEAT’s Head of Design Luc Donckerwolke, who has given the highest priority to making the building the epitome of functionality, based on the principle of protection outwards and transparency inwards.

But this new complex – large enough to accommodate a hundred highly-qualified engineers, designers and modellers from all over the world– will serve as a breeding ground not only for the Spanish brand’s products; the entire Volkswagen Group will benefit from its services.

During the official opening ceremony – by José Montilla, President of the Catalan government (Generalitat) – SEAT’s Chairman Erich Schmitt highlighted the importance of the SEAT Design Center vis-à-vis the investment it meant for the future of the company.

“This building is one of the many examples of our commitment to quality, since the SEAT products of tomorrow come from ideas generated in this building today, products which will take the brand towards sustainable growth until reach 800,000 units in 2018” he stated.

Luc Donckerwolke, director of design of SEAT, explained to visitors the different stages of building a prototype.	The president of SEAT, Erich Schmitt, in a moment of his speech to the guests at the opening ceremony.

(Source: Seat)