While steel and iron may not come to mind first when thinking about beauty and innovation, modern architecture has embraced this material as not just the skeletal structure of a building, but the unique look that defines it. Designers today are incorporating more steel and iron materials into their home design, including wrought iron doors and sleek steel panels. Here are six of the most well-known and inspiring steel iron structures to get your creativity going.
The Eiffel Tower
We know, we started with an obvious one, but Paris’ Eiffel Tower, finished in 1889, was the result of architect Gustave Eiffel’s desire to prove that materials like wrought iron could be just as strong as, if not stronger than, stone or wood.
While initial critics of the Eiffel Tower weren’t shy about sharing their dislike of the skeletal, modern design, it eventually won the hearts of France and the world. Today, it is one of the most recognized landmarks in the world.
The Empire State Building
Another building you’re sure to recognize, the Empire State Building combines Art Deco and shiny steel for a result that has dazzled the public since 1931. Standing at 103 stories tall, this New York City landmark boasts an amazing 57,000-ton steel frame—just think of how many decorative iron doors that could have made!
The Empire State Building isn’t the tallest building in the world anymore—that honor now belongs to Burj Khalifa in Saudi Arabia—but it held the title for over forty years.
The Walt Disney Concert Hall
If you’ve ever visited Los Angeles, you may have spotted this shiny spectacle off of S. Grand Avenue. Home of the LA Philharmonic, the Walt Disney Concert Hall is one of architect Frank Gehry’s more ambitious projects.
This concert hall took from 1987-2003 to complete and showcases Walt Disney’s dedication to music and the arts. It is a shining example of how steel can be both solid and stable as well as fluid and ethereal.
The Brooklyn Bridge
While you might be surprised to see the Brooklyn Bridge on this list, you should know that it was the first steel-wire suspension bridge of its kind ever constructed. Taking over ten years to build due to its rather complicated design, the bridge was finally completed in 1869 and is still quite important today.
The Beijing National Stadium (Bird’s Nest Stadium)
This one might sound familiar if you watched the 2008 Olympic Games—it was a huge landmark then, and it still is. While the Beijing National Stadium only used 42,000 tons of steel to construct (less than the Empire State Building), it was, at the time of construction, the largest steel building on earth.
The Burj Khalifa
Rounding out our countdown is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Currently holding the world record for tallest building at a whopping 163 floors, this literal skyscraper only used 31,400 tons of steel to construct due to its tightly coiled building design.
The Burj Khalifa may currently hold the title as tallest building, but it is estimated that it could be overshadowed within the next four years—man and steel really have no bounds!
You Can Use Steel Too
While you might not have the budget to construct the world’s next steel icon, you don’t have to wait to incorporate this durable and amazing material into your own smart home or building projects! Here at Universal Iron Door, we know exactly what modern iron entry door or rustic iron French doors your home needs—we’ve been making them longer than some of these iconic buildings have been around! Don’t hesitate to contact us today at 818-771-1003 to set up a consultation.