4. Sustainability

4.1 Renovation

  • Steel buildings offer unique advantages over other materials in that they can be modified readily at less cost than other buildings. As a material, steel's lightweight, high strength and simplicity in cutting, welding and joining make steel easy to modify. Rejuvenating old buildings into new applications or reusing old materials isvery possible with steel materials. Issues to consider:
  • Design constraints from the original structure.
  • Old layout and desired new use and layout.
  • Condition of original steel.
  • Preparation of the steel for continued use.
  • Design life desired.
  • Joining mechanisms between new and old components.
  • Modernising the building for today's requirements.

The best way to illustrate steel's functionality in renovation is through case studies. Example case studies are as follows:

  1. Renovation - Finland - 200-year-old five-story residential building modernised and renovated.
    • Building gutted and refitted with light weight internal partitions and floors.
    • Original concrete structural components used.
    • New living areas canter-levered off the old frames, e.g., bathrooms kitchens.
    • Elevator shafts installed outside the old frame.
    • The end result--a modern, new apartment building with increased functionality and larger living space.
  2. Re-use and Rejuvenation - Bank Lyonaise, Paris. An old fire-gutted building was renovated using the existing steel structure from the 1880s.
    • A new floor plan was created.
    • Light weight steel floor beams and walling systems were utilised to create a new commercial and office complex.
    • A new modern facility was created within the shell of the old building utilising much of the original structure.

4.2 Demountability

Steel also offers unique advantages when designing new buildings for use and reuse over time for different applications or locations. Its lightweight and high strength makes it a natural for in-factory construction and relocation making it possible to build buildings for today's need and relocate them or alter them for tomorrow's requirement. Issues to consider:

  • Design constraints from the original structure.
  • Old layout and desired new use and layout.
  • Condition of original steel.
  • Preparation of the steel for continued use.
  • Design life desired.
  • Joining mechanisms between new and old components.
  • Modernising the building for today's requirements.

4.3  Designing for Healthy Living

In today's environment people are looking for healthy living and life styles for dwellings and offices. Issues to be considered:

  • Dust free materials.
  • Low off-gassing from paints.
  • Less use of carpets and more use of tiles.
  • Fresh air flow.
  • Natural light.

4.4  Low Energy

Low energy use structures are part of modern society. Natural light, heating and cooling, effective insulation and air flow all have impact upon the building's energy use:

  • Refer to section 2 above.
  • Utilise skylights and windows for light.
  • Use light colours or reflective coatings to make the most of natural light.
  • Use the aspect of the building on the site and within the environment to capture natural light
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