Steel is sleek, strong, and sensible; it’s practical and present in a wide variety of buildings. Steel can be simple. It can be utilitarian. Also, it often provides support for massive structures like awe-inspiring steel buildings.
Even with its ubiquity and versatility, many forget that steel is often beautiful. In addition to being functional, it can be awe-inspiring. As one of the most widely-used construction metals in all of history, steel features gorgeous buildings all around the globe.
As a result, we have only to look at the world around us to see the true potential of steel.
Eight Awe-Inspiring Steel Buildings—And The Lessons They Teach
Think that steel can’t be used in modern, lovely, and practical designs? Think again. These iconic structures stand to teach us a thing or two about the versatility and beauty of steel.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater
This sculptural building features on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. It marries solid steel blocks with free-flowing water, telling us that steel doesn’t have to be an urban material—it can easily mesh well with nature.
The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles
Billowing sails—that’s what comes to mind when you see the soft curves and dramatic silhouette of the stainless-steel exterior of Frank Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall. When we think of steel, we think of rectangular structures and straight lines. While those structures have their uses, it’s key to remember that steel can be much more fluid and organic if that’s what we need it to be.
The PV14 House
Steel buildings don’t have to be commercial structures or utilitarian ones like garages or shelters; they can serve as contemporary residences. The architects of this modular home even used recycled steel (including shipping container doors) in their project, showcasing the inherent sustainability of this strong metal.
The Raif Dinçkok Cultural Center in Turkey
Steel can do more than provide sleek or ultra-modern elements to architectural design. For example, this cultural center features a stories-high perforated screen formed of intentionally rusted steel.
Studio Libeskind’s 18.36.54 House
Eighteen planes; 36 points; 54 lines. This avant-garde structure pushes the envelope to show us that steelwork can easily constitute art—practical art, at that. This origami-like residence stands in western Connecticut.
Chicago’s Solar Canopy
This 11-foot tall structure made with 6000 pounds of steel serves as a public docking station for electric scooters, bikes, and cars. The architects completed this project in just 25 days, from start to finish. This is because steel’s a versatile metal. Often, steel components and building materials are readily available. This can contribute to efficient project construction timelines.
Best-Jodlowa House
When used to build modern residences, steel can provide open structures that feel secure and private without sacrificing warmth. Poland’s Best-Jodlowa house architects achieved this effect with mixed media, juxtaposing steel with wood, glass, and other elements. Lesson learned: Steel structures don’t have to be 100% steel—far from it. However, combining steel with other traditional building elements can create gorgeous structures.
The Maiden Tower
The last of the eight awe-inspiring steel buildings feature a fairytale-adjacent backstory: Austrian architect Stefan Marte wanted to construct a four-story home for his eldest daughters near his residence. He wanted the structure to contrast nicely with the existing homes in the area. To do this, he used steel panels for three sides of the rectangular residence. In addition, he used steel shutters to reveal or conceal towering glass panels for floor-to-ceiling views of the neighborhood…or absolute privacy, as his daughters wished.
Examining how architects have used steel to bolster beautiful buildings, experiment with form and function, and even pave the way for future renewable energy sources can show us that steel has the potential to be anything we want it to be.
Steel is strong, durable, weather-resistant, practical, and economical. It can also be ethereal, modern, sculptural, and stylish.
Trust Georgia-Based Start-To-Finish Steel Contractors to Assist with Beautiful, Practical Steel Structures
So, are you interested in working with expert steel contractors to take your structure from design to finished building? If so, look no further than Peak Steel Contractors. Check out our past projects to learn more about the many ways we can help you with awe-inspiring steel buildings.