www.livingsteel.org

About Living Steel

Living Steel, a worldwide, collaborative programme designed to stimulate innovative and responsible housing design and construction Steel is a vital link between people's lifestyle aspirations and the construction solution...was launched in February, 2005. The programme was developed to help address the unprecedented pressure on infrastructure, communities and the quality of people's lives stemming from growing urban populations..

Living Steel is a five-year programme managed by the International Iron and Steel Institute (IISI), an industry representative body that has committed more than €14.25 million to support the global search for more efficient and effective housing solutions.

Funded through the contributions of the worlds leading steel manufacturers the full members of Living Steel includes Arcelor About Living SteelMittal, Baosteel, BlueScope Steel, CELSA Group, Corus, Erdemir, IMIDRO, Posco, Ruukki, SeverStal and Tata Steel. Saint-Gobain Gypsum is an associate member.

According to the United Nations, 180,000 people are moving to urban cities every day and it estimates the world's population will double in 38 years. Urban population growth has placed unprecedented pressure on infrastructure, communities and the quality of people's lives, heightening the need for more efficient and responsible housing design. Through the Living Steel programme, those in the steel industry have clearly stated their commitment to work collaboratively to help address this significant global challenge. Currently underused in the residential sector, steel allows for faster construction, durability in structural strength and flexibility in designing solutions for the world's growing urban population. It's also the world's most recycled material making it a smart, sustainable and viable option for housing.

Central to the initiative are the Living Steel International Architecture Competitions, each presenting architects with a unique opportunity to bring their vision for innovative and responsible housing design and construction, to life. The first competition focused on the development of housing solutions in India and Poland-these projects are now underway. The second competition featured projects in Brazil, China and the United Kingdom.

For a full review of Living Steel, its members and information about innovations in steel design and construction, please browse this website.

Other supporting members of the Living Steel programme include Associação Portuguesa de Construção Metálica e Mista (CMM), Asociación para la Construcción de Estructuras Metálicas, Asociación para la Promoción Técnica del Acero, Bouwen mit Staal, Canadian Institute of Steel Construction, Centro Brasileiro da Construção em Aço, European Convention for Constructional Steelwork, Finnish Constructional Steelwork Association, Fondazione Promozione Acciaio, HERA, Institute for Steel Development and Growth, Instituto Latinoamericano del Fierro y el Acero, International Zinc Association, Korea Iron & Steel Association, Korean Society of Steel Construction, Singapore Structural Steel Society, South African Institute of Steel Construction, Staalinfocentrum - Centre Information Acier, Stahl-Informations-Zentrum, Steel Construction Institute, Steel Framing Alliance and Turk Yapisal Celik Dernegi

The Living Steel International Architecture Competitions

The Living Steel International Architecture Competitions were launched to develop innovative approaches to meet sustainable housing needs. Underpinning each competition is the need to address the economic, environmental and social implications of increased population density and growth. The competitions were developed with the guidance of the International Union of Architects (UIA). They follow the provisions of the International Recommendations for Competitions in Architecture and Urban Planning adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO on 27 November 1978.

With a total prize fund of €560,000, the competitions are one of the largest architectural design initiatives in the world and present architects with the opportunity to bring their vision for effective and affordable housing to life in one of several countries around the world. Any registered architect may enter the competitions regardless of his or her location in the world.

The winning entry for each country is chosen by an internationally renowned jury panel and is awarded a prize of €50,000 in addition to a contract to complete their building designs for construction. An honorarium of €10,000 is awarded to the remaining short listed firms who were invited to submit designs for the competition. The jury will seek out designs that highlight the efficient and effective use of steel in sustainable housing solutions.

3rd edition (2007)

Challenge theme: extreme housing in Cherepovets, Russia

1º Prize Peter Stutchbury Architects, Australia	Honourable Mention RVTR, Canada	Honourable Mention Bligh Voller Nield (BVN) Architecture, UK

>> Jury´s report <<

 

2nd edition (2006)

Challenge theme: Design efficient and innovative housing solutions using steel construction in Brazil (Recife), China (Wuhan) and United Kingdom (Thames Gateway).

co-1º Prize Recife: Andrade Morettin Arquitetos Associados Ltda, Brazil	co-1º Prize Wuhan: Knafo Klimor Architects, Architects And Town Planners, Israel	co-1º Prize Thames Gateway: Cartwright Pickard Architects, UK

>> Jury´s report <<

 

1st edition (2005)

Challenge theme: Design efficient and innovative housing solutions using steel construction in Kolkata, India and Warsaw, Poland.

co-1º Prize SymHouse Mk1 in Kolkata Piercy Conner Architects e Designers, UK	co-1º Prize Kick Start in Warsaw Architectenbureau Cepezed, Holanda

>>All entries - 25 Mb PPT<<
>> Jury´s Report <<

 

Living Steel - World Steel Construction Council (WSCC)

1st meeting- 16 and 17 of October of 2006 - Bilbao, Vizcaya, (Spain)

Living Steel launched its first meeting of the World Steel Construction Council (WSCC) on the 16 October 2006 in Bilbao, Spain. In attendance were many of Living Steel's Supporting Members, which currently include 26 steel construction organisations from around the world.

Presentations at the Bilbao two-day meeting included updates on steel construction activity in member-company markets, with a focus on housing, as well as the role of independent steel construction promotion organisations to increase steel share in construction. Also covered in presentations and small group workshops was the subject of sustainability and the related opportunities in residential construction for steel.

The focus of the WSCC is to enhance the steel residential construction community worldwide through networking. To that end, the Council aims at sharing and consolidating knowledge from around the world on the use of steel in construction.

"We are confident that the WSCC offers a unique opportunity for members to learn new ideas and share knowledge across countries," said Daniele Rubertelli, Living Steel's Project Manager. "Further, we are hoping that it also will foster cooperative work among members on specific projects in the residential steel market place."