3. Designing for the Land

Land falls, shapes and contours have a meaningful impact upon what can be created by designers and architects. Using the natural flow of the land and utilising steel's light weight construction techniques allows minimal disturbance of the natural environment.  It also allows designs that "lightly touches the earth"5

3.1 Sloping Sites

Light weight structures from steel columns and beams and thin flowing systems offer unique opportunities for designers. Steel in combination with other materials can create some amazing solutions. Contributions:

  • More interesting designs. Use the slope of the land for split level homes, under living-area garages, gardens and landscaping.
  • Light weight structures allow minimal disturbance of the land.
  • Shapes and curves can contour the natural slope of the land.
  • Light foundations.

3.2 Colours and Textures

Use colours and contours that fit the environment. By selecting natural colours, buildings fit better with their surroundings and create less planning and environmental issues within local communities.

Colour selection also impacts upon the heat absorbed or reflected by the building envelope. As a general rule, lighter colours reflect more heat than darker colours. Check with local planning authorities to make sure that there are no restrictions on colours or external finishes. Occasionally areas around airports require low glare materials, therefore building aspect and roofing materials relative to the local community needs to be considered.

Textured finishes for steel products can also create an aesthetically pleasing building ambience. Often textured or low-glare paint systems or finishes are desirable features for some applications.

5 Quote from Glen Murcutt, a renowned Australian architect.

E-mail this article