Can a 'Red Iron' building be architecturally interesting?

[e3pres]

I need a garage and I'm leaning towards a 'red iron' steel building, but I can't get past the look of them. Does anyone have pics of one of these that is a little less... brutally functional?


Thanks,

Adam

 

[blue dog]

I did a building about 7 years ago that had exposed structural members that were left exposed for design purposes. All exposed steel was treated with a salt/peroxide/vinegar solution to get a nice rust look, after the rust look was what was wanted, it was all treated with penetrol to stop further rusting, after that was dry it was covered in a clear epoxy. Still looks good to this day.

 

[rsa]

Does "patina" trump brutally functional?

I'm tempted to use either USS COR-TEN or COR-TEN AZP. COR-TEN is a "weathering steel". USS doesn't recommend it for architectural applications, although plenty of architects and builders continue to use it. COR-TEN AZP is a steel painted to mimic COR-TEN. It does an OK job, I guess.

Here's an architect describing use of COR-TEN products. There are some good pictures at a place selling COR-TEN and COR-TEN AZP

 

[e3pres]

I really like the rusted look. I've built a lot of ductwork out of Corten, so I'm familiar with it, but I didn't realize you could buy it in corrugated sheets.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

rsa hit it on the head. A588 (Cor-Ten) will keep getting darker with age and assume a dark, chocolate color after 3 or 4 years. It will also contain the rust in the outer layer of steel and last a surprisingly long time.

Typical applications are for bridge work, exterior structural steel that is exposed and architecturally exposed steel.

 

[nzhotrod]

An original boat shed by the sea. Not sure if this fits the bill or is on the same page ...but here 'tis anyway

or this...boatshed cafe....

 

[Wingnut65]

Not sure what you have in mind for a metal building, but flybefree is building one now and used this as his inspiration:
View media item 10616
Here is his progress so far:
View media item 11968
Many of the building companies have wall panels that are insulated panels and have a smooth stucco-like finish. Many metal buidlings now-a-days are hard to point out because of all the siding options.

 

[NUTTSGT]

The red steel can easily be covered up like some of the others have said. Take a day (yeah it's easy to spend that much time there) and read through the gallery. You find people that have used such a bldg and look very nice. I believe Ryan's atomic garage was exposed steel too.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I think he is worried about the basic exterior looks of a traditional steel building. They can be just a plain box like mine, or they can have all kinds of styling added to them. Its only money.

Charles

 

[kbs2244]

The “brutally functional” look usually is due to the vertical lines of the siding and the very low pitch of the roof.

Changing both of these will increase the appeal.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

If your talking about red iron frame like an industrial building - only finished with materials to make it look like any other stick-frame, then go look here:
http://www.kodiaksteelhomes.com/media/gallery?action=showphoto&galleryid=1&photo=Aspen_01-1.jpg

It's what we are considering for our next house.....garage packages can be finished the same way.

 

[-->]

Blue Dog, do you have any more pictures of that building or of the rust process getting done? That is really interesting!