Weathering, or Corten, steel is used to striking aesthetic effect in architectural projects around the world. A genericized version of the Cor-Ten trademark, Corten steel was initially engineered for demanding wear applications in industrial and outdoor environments. The name derives from the material’s two most noteworthy properties: corrosion-resistance (COR) and tensile strength (TEN).
Though these two qualities are key performance indicators (KPIs) for structural elements and façade materials in buildings of all shapes and sizes, it is the distinctive rustic surface oxidation of Corten steel that makes it so popular in art and architecture.
In a previous post, we explored some of the most famous Corten Steel Structures Around the World. As there are so many creative examples of how the alloy has been used in architectural projects the world over, we decided to put the spotlight on a few more eye-catchingCorten steel projects.
John Deere World Headquarters
Serving as the HQ for the agricultural heavy equipment company John Deere, this unique complex was one of the first-ever architectural projects to use Corten steel specifically for its unique aesthetic qualities. The complex makes use of structural members and cladding comprised of Corten steel, which has now been exposed to the elements for almost sixty years.
Barclays Center Sports Arena
Home to the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Islanders, the Barclays Center is a multi-purpose sports arena that doubles as a magnificent feat of engineering. On the exterior, the arena features separate articulated bands made up of a glass curtain wall and a lattice of Corten steel, comprising as many as 12,000 individual panels. It remains one of the most commercially-recognizable uses of Corten steel worldwide.
Leeds Broadcasting Tower
Broadcasting Tower is part of the Leeds Beckett University campus in the UK and is the winner of the prestigious 2010 Best Tall Building Award. This is due to its quirky, industrial design featuring near-complete Corten steel cladding, offset window spacing, and diagonal facades.
PedX Bridge Boston
The PedX Bridge in Boston, MA, is a pedestrian walkway connecting Fenway to Roxbury by spanning no less than five railway lines. Its remarkable curved structure is walled-in with overlapping Corten steel panels intersected with narrow glazing to provide light.
Corten Steel Products from Masteel
Masteel is one of the UK’s foremost suppliers of steel alloys for structural applications, providing solutions that offer a unique combination of mechanical robustness and workability to suit your unique objectives. If you would like more information about the applicability of Corten steel, simply contact a member of the Masteel team today.