Architectural Design in Steel

Steelwork offers the opportunity for architectural expression, as well as being structurally versatile and adaptable material. Good detailing is vital because it affects structural performance, costs, buildability and, perhaps most importantly, appearance. Whilst the choice of the structural form is often the province of the structural engineer, architects should have a broad appreciation of the factors leading to the selection of the structure and its details. Traditionally, most detailing of connections is the responsibility of the steelwork fabricator, but for exposed steelwork, detailing is of much more interest to the architect, as it impacts on the aesthetics of the structure. In this respect it is important that designers appreciate the common fabrication and erection techniques which may exert a strong influence on the method and approach to the detailing of modern steelwork in buildings.

Architectural Design in Steel is a design guide to the detailing of exposed steelwork in buildings. It is a guide which offers technical guidance and general principles, as well as examples of best practice. It covers all aspects from manufacture to detailing, specification of finishes and fabrication, providing architects, as well as engineers, with essential information to inform the design.

Peter Trebilcock is Consultant Architect to The Steel Construction Institute and an Architect at AMEC.
Mark Lawson is Research Manager at SCI. The work was funded by Corus (formerly British Steel (Sections, Plates and Commercial Steels)) and Corus Tubes and Pipes and the former Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions under the Partners in technology initiative.