Overview
Architecture plays an important role in urban appearance, reflecting the local culture and exhibiting its aesthetic sense. While we are captivated by innovative architectural design, we can hardly neglect the raw material which makes it come true. Stainless steel, due to its corrosion resistance, durability, easy formability, has been increasingly applied in architectural construction. Now let’s start exploring the recent modern architecture constructed by stainless steel in south hemisphere.
The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery / Len Lye Centre
The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery / Len Lye Centre, dubbed the most gorgeous contemporary steel architecture, is located in Ngāmotu New Plymouth, New Zealand. Its completion in 2015 has drawn worldwide attention as it gives a renewed sense of architecture and urban design. It is as impressive as it claims to "explore and celebrate who we are - our people, our place, our communities, our cultures, our histories and our understanding of the world."
Len Lye Centre is the one and only art museum in New Zealand with an international reputation and reach. The Center is constructed with highly polished 316 stainless steel curved artistically. The rippling stainless steel panels on the 14-meter-tall (46-foot-tall) exterior-540 panels altogether-riff on Lye’s work by reflecting the lights and movement of the surrounding city.
316 is chosen over 304 as the exterior material, as New Zealand is an island country in marine atmosphere. 316/L is also known as marine stainless steel, sufficient to resist corrosion from seawater moisture in the air. Like a shining beacon, the Len Lye Centre catches the eyesight of all of those interested in architecture, building, and construction steel materials.
Newcastle Memorial Walk: A Walk to Remember
The Newcastle Memorial Walk was funded by the Newcastle Council and BHP Billiton to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landing in Gallipoli. It was designed to honor Australian soldiers that fought in World War I with steel silhouettes of soldiers featured along both sides of the top section of the walk. This Walk was officially opened on the 24th of April 2015 to the public, enjoying popularity among tourists and locals who use it for cardio exercises as well.
The Newcastle Memorial Walk is located in the Newcastle beachside suburb of Bar Beach, a 450-meters costal walk that gives spectacular 360 degree views of the Newcastle city (New South Wales' second biggest city). Built along the Newcastle Clip, the Walk connects Newcastle's Strzelecki lookout with Bar Beach.
The ANZAC Memorial Walk is syndicated by several firms, like the designing EJE, the engineering Nothrop and the constructing Waeger. Designed and aimed for a life span of 70 years above, the walk is constructed with the marine grade 316l stainless steel for its good comprehensive performance on corrosion resistance, strength and durability. It is built from 64 tons of stainless steel materials, including stainless steel sections, stainless steel round bars and stainless steel tubes. While it pays tribute to the history of Newcastle as a city and its steel making heritage, this Walk associates the stunning Australian coastal view with the durable stainless steel aesthetic appeal.
