Unlikely alloys?
Living Steel, a worldwide program set up to stimulate innovation in the design and construction of residential properties, is partnering with the TUP Investment Group to construct an innovative steel project on ul. Popularna in Warsaw. The design for the building will come from Dutch Architectenbureau Cepezed, one of two winners in last year's International Competition for Sustainable Housing at the UN-Habitat World Urban Forum III.
"Housing a developing global population poses a unique set of challenges," says Carl Perry, chairman of the Living Steel Steering Group. "Flexible, sustainable and cost-effective housing solutions must be found. [Steel] is an innovative material that facilitates speed of construction and design flexibility to provide durable and comfortable living space."
TUP is the investor realizing the project in Poland, which is set to be the first multi-family residential unit constructed using steel technology. Arcelor is TUP's partner in the project, providing top-standard materials and technology as well as facilitating coordination between the contractors and architects. Euroconstruction, TUP's subsidiary, will be the general contractor on the project.
Last month, TUP purchased the plot for the development in a transaction valued at zł.2 million. The three-storey, 800-sqm building will comprise 20 apartments between 60-80 sqm for middle-income families. The building will also include features such as a common recreational area, reception and guard areas as well as storage and parking for 20 vehicles.
Each residential unit is created using a prefabricated system made up of a load-bearing, hollow-steel frame. Energy consumption will be minimized thanks to the lightweight construction, high-quality insulation and a heating system that incorporates passive solar energy. At the end of its lifetime, the system can be disassembled and all components 100-percent reused or recycled. Each residential unit is constructed to facilitate transportation without requiring disassembly.
Steel is relatively underused in the Polish construction sector, given its broad attributes, which include affordability, structural durability and design flexibility. The use of steel also cuts construction time and costs by up to half. It allows for the pre-fabrication of elements that are easily implemented regardless of seasonal conditions (steel constructions are not affected by low temperatures) and maximizes the range of arrangement options, from open spaces to specific spatial set-ups. Steel is also the world's most recycled material.
Living Steel is managed by the International Iron and Steel Institute (IISI), a global non-profit research organization founded in 1967. IISI has grown to become one of the most influential industry associations in the world, with major international steel and construction institutions as its members. Companies sponsoring the program include Arcelor, Baosteel, Corus, Erdemir, Posco, Mittal Steel, CELSA Group, IMIDRO, Rukki, and Tata Steel.
