Stainless Steel in Construction
Stainless steel is one of the most widely used construction materials, offering architects and builders myriad qualities. The versatile metal has been used in thousands of construction projects all over the world and this edition of the BS Stainless blog looks at five very different buildings that feature stainless steel in their construction.
Art Gallery of Alberta, Canada
Located in Edmonton, the Alberta Art Gallery is one of the largest and most visited public art galleries in Canada, housing well over 6,000 exhibits. The innovative and attractive building is finished with a massive stainless steel ribbon which wraps around the structure, creating a truly unique visual appearance.
The Sage, UK
Standing prominently by the water in Gateshead, the Sage is an imposing multi-purpose space that has been used to stage a variety of events from political conferences to rock concerts and live theatre shows. Built from a mixture of glass and stainless steel, the Sage has been a stunning landmark since its opening in 2004. The distinctive shape of the structure has given rise to its affectionate nickname of 'The Armadillo'.
Walt Disney Concert Hall, USA
Used for an array of music events, the Walt Disney Concert Hall is the home of Los Angeles' Philharmonic Orchestra. The building is clad in stainless steel with an unusual matte finish that gives it a beautiful aesthetic.
The Chrysler Building, USA
Standing at 319m, New York's Chrysler Building enjoyed the status of world's tallest building until the construction of the equally-famous Empire State Building. Though it holds this title no longer, it is still the world's tallest brick building with a steel framework. Stainless steel is also used extensively for aesthetic purposes in the cladding and ornamentation of the building.
The Atomium, Belgium
Built to celebrate the 1958 Brussels World Fair, the Atomium is an immediately-recognisable symbol of Belgium and is now home to a museum. The structure, which stands more than 100m in height, comprises nine spheres, each clad in stainless steel and connected by tubes. This construction is based on the shape of a crystal cell of iron.
In addition to the buildings you can see utilise stainless steel, increasingly stainless steel is essential in construction but not always as obvious. Three key attributes make it one of the most in demand materials for construction projects. Strength, corrosion resistance an even more importantly following updated legislation fire resistance. These important qualities mean stainless steel really is important in forming the essential framework for new extensions, houses and skyscrapers. Its uses vary from wall ties to lintels , screws to bolts. Whatever your demand we have the solution.
You can find out more about the role of stainless steel in construction on our website. For more special features like this, along with industry news and product updates, please subscribe to the BS Stainless newsletter.