What was appealing about Living Steel’s competition?

It is exactly fitted to something we have been dreaming about for a long time: a well-made, steel-based dwelling.  Internationally competitive and high-quality housing is something that is of prime importance.  The Living Steel competition had very clear cut objectives that addressed these issues. 

What are you views on steel, from a design perspective?

Cepezed is a big user of steel in design.  The steel industry has made great developments in the level of knowledge and capabilities in steel--they have a futuristic view that breaks with tradition.  For load bearing parts, steel is the one and only solution.  In Kick Start, the steel-based flooring system we developed is acoustically better and it’s light weight.  As well, building collapse would rarely happen and it’s fire resistant and competitive. We used the frames to give us flexibility to build sideways.  Steel is the logical material. 

How should architectural designs address the global housing crisis?

We just saw a great example in Java (earthquake). When these disasters happen, we see the rubble, and it doesn’t have to be like that.  Sustainability is not just living in a house, but keeping it sound in difficult situations.  If you build light, flexible, structurally sound buildings, you can prevent a lot of disasters. The glass may be cracked and some damage may occur, but the structure will still be intact and reusable.  It also can be designed for progressive collapse, like we did with Kick Start, so that in the rare event that part of the structure collapses, it doesn’t take the rest along with it.  Steel is a very good material to achieve this.