Steel offers bouquet of advantages making it the finest green product. It enables creativity and flexibility making it convenient and easier to shape structures, says, Ar. Swapnil Jaggi, Principal Architect, Swapnil Jaggi Architects
Q. What are the major advantages of using steel vis-à-vis conventional materials?
A. As per our experience steel structure is one of the finest green products. Some of the common advantages are design, strength and durability, light in weight, easy installation and speed in construction, pest, and weather resistance.
Q. How structural steel can be innovatively used in construction to provide design aesthetics and at the same time offer economical solution?
A. As steel can be fabricated in any shape, structures could be made rapidly and moderately cheap. Because of simple-to-make portions of steel structure, it is hassle- free to install and assemble them in any site, so steel could help to provide housing multi- dwelling. Large span and column free structures can be creatively used in any desired shapes and forms.
Q. What is your take on the variety of sections/grades provided by our steel producers for various demands of creativity?
A. Steel can span greater distances with steel joints. Steel hollow sections have the unique characteristic that distinguishes itself from other building material. It not only gives greater flexibility to shape structures but also makes it convenient and easier to express creativity.
Different varieties of steel sections/ grade give us freedom to design our structure with multi dimension. We can use different sizes of section as per the design demand.
Q. What trend are we going to witness in next 5-7 years, as far as designing structures with steel is concerned?
A. Since steel is one of the most durable and strong material available. As the development rate of India is high, demand of steel is huge. In upcoming years, we will be witnessing small and large sized structures made of steel, in various shapes and form. Utilising steel structures for small individual bungalows/ buildings will surely be visible in upcoming years.
Also, steel is cost effective so it could be used for affordable housing and its recycling properties will allow to create temporary structures too.
Q. What should be the strategy of industry in promoting structural steel construction in India?
A. In Today’s ecologically awareness times, steel wins the hand down over wood and plastic. Some strategies to promote steel in India are the architect’s and the designer’s steel work reflecting the growth in infrastructure and inspiring at the same time. Creating opportunities by organizing competitions which helps the designers to learn more about steel and when the common people see those structures, they will understand how versatile steel could be used.
Through regular seminars, webinars and talk shows, steel suppliers get in touch with the designers regularly. The Research and development sector should be highly promoted.
Q.Which is the iconic steel-specific projects executed by you?
A. The Flower Story, Telibandha, Raipur, Chhattisgarh:
The client came up with a concept project of FLOWER BOUTIQUE- a luxury retail outlet.
Steel being the core element proved as cost effective yet giving a crisp look to the space. A punch of subtle color crafted on the arched railing creates sleek and clean effect in the staircase. Extended steps are fabricated to increase the width of the steps. Display Racks are fabricated and painted for the gifts and flowers. In the mezzanine floor, the partition is framed beautifully by series of arches, just creating enough visual separation from the ground floor, while keeping the spaces cohesive at the same time.
Combination of spotlights, hanging lights and wall lamps are used in an artistic manner. For the display area, spotlights are being installed. To enhance the space, metal encased hanging lights hanged on the metal grid patterned jali attached in the ceiling gives a sense of hugeness to the space.
