What attracts you to using steel as a primary building material in your architectural projects?
Steel plays a pivotal role in modern architecture, allowing innovative designs including tall and curved structures due to its versatility, integrity, and strength. It allows for flexible design options and can handle heavy loads. It reduces labour costs and enables projects to be completed faster compared to traditional building materials. In addition, it resists environmental factors like wind, earthquakes, and fire, making it an excellent choice for structures. These benefits helped steel to gain popularity as a building material whereby aesthetics and function are at its core. Architects seeking innovative, durable, and sustainable construction find steel to be an ideal choice.
Can you share any specific examples of how you have used steel in your designs or projects?
Steel has been diversely utilised in various forms and ways in our designs to highlight its role in creating innovative, resilient, and visually striking structures. For instance, in the MIPL project, steel portals were chosen for the aluminium production unit to achieve the maximum span and make it cost effective. The administration building and all sheds were designed using steel, which plays a central role in the project. This emphasis on a well-built and heavy structure enhances the design’s attractiveness and gives it a distinctive look.
Are there any architects or architectural projects that have inspired your interest in steel design? Please share your thoughts.
The Hall of Nations is the world’s first and largest-span space-frame structure, designed by Gold Medalist 1989, Sir Raj Reval. His innovative use of steel and creative approaches to structural challenges have inspired my interest in steel design. Further, his contributions to architectural discourse have significantly influenced my perspective.
In what ways does designing with steel impact construction timelines and costs compared to other materials?
There was a time when most steel fabrication activities were manual which does not hold true today. Now computers can do layouts, robotic welding and cutting of steel. Steel can be quickly erected using cranes and bolted connections. This leads to faster assembly times compared to traditional materials and minimises labour-related delays. Components can be prefabricated off-site, allowing for precise fabrication. This approach reduces material wastage and on-site construction time. Mass production in steel fabrication has changed every concept of timeline in the steel construction industry and its costing has turned out to be an advantage as compared to the past decades.
How do you stay updated on the latest developments and trends in steel-based architecture and design?
Keeping one’s eyes and ears open is fundamental to staying updated in any field. In my opinion, attending workshops, conferences, and seminars conducted by industry experts and professional organisations is beneficial. Enrolling in specialised steel design courses also helps. These activities provide insights into the latest technologies and methodologies of steel in architecture and design. Moreover, reading professional journals, participating in research projects, engaging in online forums keeps one informed about the latest research and case studies.
What challenges have you encountered when working with steel in your architectural projects, and how did you address them?
When working with steel in architectural projects, several challenges can arise depending on the specific case. Proper coordination between architectural design, structural steel design, and workshop fabrication drawings is crucial during erection. Given steel’s high thermal conductivity, we have addressed thermal performance issues by using high-quality insulation materials and techniques. To prevent corrosion, we apply protective coatings such as galvanisation, painting, or powder coating. For fire protection, we use fire-proofing materials like intumescent coatings and spray-applied fire-resistive materials. In addition, incorporating comprehensive fire safety measures into the design is essential for overall safety. Steel structures often require complex connections, which can be challenging to design and execute, but careful planning and precision help mitigate these difficulties.
What is your opinion on the future of steel in architecture, considering emerging technologies and sustainability trends?
The future of steel in architecture looks promising, driven by emerging technologies, innovations, and sustainability trends. However, in my opinion, its future is more dependent on the availability of advanced forms of steel in the market. In any complete project, the steel structure shows its combined effect, not a solo effect. Therefore, new cladding materials, their fastenings, and tensile fabrics compatible with steel frames should be available in the market.
Furthermore, steelwork helps designers and architects express attractive shapes and unbelievable framing. This leads to the final aesthetics of large structures like stadiums, entrance gates, foot-over bridges, exhibition halls, malls, and skyscrapers. It also enables the creation of curved forms, complex detailing, and public buildings. With ongoing advancements in technology and a growing emphasis on sustainability, steel is well-positioned to play a vital role in the future of architecture.
Are there any specific projects or areas within the steel construction industry that you hope to explore in the future?
Our studio is always eager to explore projects that push the boundaries of traditional construction. This allows for innovation, creativity, and the opportunity to make a significant impact on steel in architecture.
In my opinion, a specific area that needs to be explored in terms of steel construction is non-conventional energy projects. This includes solar power generation and wind power generation mega projects. Moreover, the latest developments in modular construction techniques using steel components should be investigated. The role of steel in smart city initiatives, such as intelligent infrastructure and resilient urban planning, also warrants exploration. This represents dynamic and evolving aspects of steel construction that promise to shape the future of architecture and urban development.
