For some artists, steel can be heavy and difficult to work with. In addition, considerations for ductility, corrosion resistance, and price must also be taken into account. Working to address these issues, POSCO has partnered with many artists, architects, and designers to provide the right steel to match their artistic vision.

In the three pieces below, POSCO’s World Premium Products were used to offer unique solutions for each design concept. See how these three pieces of art utilized steel to not only make them stronger and longer-lasting, but also to make them more beautiful.

POSCO’s Solar Pine – Art that Generates Energy

The Solar Pine sculpture is located at POSCO Energy’s headquarters in Incheon, South Korea. POSCO Energy wanted to install a structure in its Green Park that utilized solar power, could be mass-produced, and displayed an aesthetic beauty that could be used in parks and green spaces around the globe. Its pattern resembles the geometric shape of a pine cone with an angled roof with solar panels. During the day, its unique pattern casts a beautiful shadow on the ground below, and at night the energy absorbed by the solar panels is used to power lighting on the Solar Pine and also within the park.

At night the Solar Pine lights up using the energy absorbed through its solar panels. (Photo courtesy of Kyungsub Shin)

The upper structure is 7.2m in diameter and contains nine separate modules with 54 solar panels that can generate 1200W per hour. Also, because it is made for mass production, each piece is made in the factory and bolt-assembled on location – making construction simpler while also lowering costs.

The Solar Pine roof is tilted to provide maximum energy absorption for the 54 solar panels. (Photo courtesy of Kyungsub Shin)

POSCO’s Solar Pine is built with PosMAC steel, an advanced, high-strength steel that is lighter and thinner than galvanized steel and more resistant to corrosion. PosMAC is ideal for structures like the Solar Pine, which require strong, lightweight steel that can withstand the elements. PosMAC has also been used in other designs requiring this combination including POSCO Humans’ floating solar power system, high-durability homes, auto parts, and several new green energy projects in India.

During the day, the light shines through the roof of the Solar Pine, replicating its geometric design in shadows on the ground. (Photo courtesy of Kyungsub Shin)

POSCO’s Steel Igloo

Steel is typically used as structural support; however, when designing the Steel Igloo, architect Kim Chan-joong decided to use POSCO’s World Premium Product PossSD, an advanced steel that offers superior strength and ductility.

The reflective surface of the Steel Igloo combined with the punctured surface creates a unique viewing experience. First constructed for an exhibition at Kumho Art Museum, it was later moved to a forest near Suwon, Korea.

The Steel Igloo is made from 177 steel sheets, each punctured with holes allowing light to break through. The combination of the holes and the reflective surface of the steel create a very unique experience for those lucky enough to see it in person.

POSCO worked with Kim during the manufacturing process, helping with the polishing, bending and reflective effect that was requested in the original blueprint.

PossSD, which stands for Super Ductile Duplex, was used because of its notable characteristics that make it suitable for an outdoor art display like the Steel Igloo.

The punctured holes of the Steel Igloo allow light to come through and create shadows on the surrounding walls.

PossSD combines austenitic and ferritic steels to maximize the strength of each while minimizing the weaknesses. Austenitic and ferritic steels are both considered fairly easy to produce, but both have certain drawbacks. Austenitic steels are low-strength and but also offer high resistance to corrosion. Ferritic steel, on the other hand, is stronger but less resistance to corrosion. They also use less nickel than austenitic steel, making it slightly more economical.

By combining those two types of steel in PossSD, POSCO was able to create a unique product that is stronger and more ductile than most ferritic grades, while also being twice as strong as both types of steel by themselves. It also offers stronger corrosion resistance while also being more cost effective.

Stepping inside the Steel Igloo allows viewers a completely different experience with light shining inward.

Pangdolane – Resting in a Rock Made of Steel

Pangdolane is a wordplay on the Korean words pang-dol, a type of volcanic rock found on Jeju Island and an-ae, meaning inside. POSCO worked with multiple artists, scientists, and architects to create this public art piece that also provides a small shelter for those visiting Jeju Island.

Pangdolane sits near a beach on Jeju Island. (Photo courtesy of Scale.kr)

With its gray color and holes of varying sizes, the exterior of Pangdolane resembles the basaltic rock for which it is named. Inside Pangdolane, visitors can rest while enjoying the shadows created by the design of the structure.

Sitting inside Pangdolane lets visitors see a completely different view. (Photo courtesy of Scale.kr)

Located on a beach on Jeju Island, designers were faced with issues of corrosion. The air in coastal regions typically has a higher saline density, which causes metals, including steel, to corrode much more quickly. Therefore, POSCO’s World Premium Product PosMAC was used to construct Pangdolane. PosMAC is specifically designed to be both more resistant to corrosion and self-healing. When designing Pangdolane, PosMAC was the obvious choice as its special properties ensure that it will stand the test of time – even on the beach.

Steel is often used in buildings to make them stronger and long-lasting. But steel does not have to be behind walls and floors; it can also be used on the exterior. In each of the art pieces above, POSCO’s World Premium Products were used in order to provide specific benefits that fit each situation’s needs. Whether it is having a higher resistance to corrosion or providing a lighter solution that can be mass-produced and bolted on site – POSCO’s World Premium Products have been able to overcome many of the problems that come with working in steel to make sure that these pieces of art can be enjoyed for decades to come.

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Steel Igloo

To explore the full potential of steel for construction materials, POSCO collaborated with architect Kim Chan Joong, CEO of The System Lab, to create the steel sculpture, “Steel Igloo.” Produced using POSCO’s world premium PosSD stainless steel, Steel Igloo will be on display at Seoul Kumho Museum, until December 13, 2015.

Steel Igloo is 3.5 meter tall, and was inspired by a forest scene.

Steel Igloo is a 3D structure made of 177 steel sheets. Light from inside the sculpture shines through uniquely punctured steel panels, recreating the ambience of light and shadows of the deep forest. Viewers can see their own reflection in the reflective panel surfaces, providing a unique visual experience.

POSCO played an active role in the manufacturing process, including the polishing, bending and reflective effect based on Kim Chan Joong’s blueprint. In building construction, steel is often used as a structural support; however, through this collaborative effort, Kim Chan Joong explored the possibility of using steel for both exterior and interior frames.

Left: After taking photographs of the forest, the designer mapped images on a steel panel surface. Right: Installation model

When the exhibition concludes, Steel Igloo will be transported to a forest in nearby Suwon. After reaching its final destination, the mirrored surface of the sculpture will reflect the natural light and imagery of the surrounding scenery. Steel Igloo will become an enchanting part of nature. 

POSCO Steel in Construction Design

Stone, wood and other building materials have been used for construction in many ways. The use of steel was previously limited due to its need for large scale construction machines.

Despite this, steel is proving to be more popular as its value continues to be recognized.

POSCO plans to continue its collaboration with Kim Chan Joong to develop interior and exterior steel materials for construction. The project is expected to be completed in 2016. Additionally, POSCO will develop its steel design construction based on this project.

By applying the concept of solutions marketing, which provides choices for materials selection, surface polishing, scission and welding, POSCO strives to expand the potential for steel in the market.

Production process from start: surface grinding and polishing treatments, cutting and perforating, bending and folding, assembly

CEO Kim Chan Joong expressed that he wanted to create a steel constructed sculpture that embodies the physical characteristics of steel, as well as steel’s wide range of application in machinery.

Concrete, brick and glass cannot produce the wide range of products, from micro to massive scale. Steel is one of a few materials that is able to do so, and the Steel Igloo project showcases that point. Based on insight from the production of Steel Igloo, POSCO will continue to explore the wide applications of steel. 

Design Solutions with POSCO Steel

Construction of the Best Western Hotel, located in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, is one of the most well-known collaborative projects completed by POSCO and Kim Chan Joong.

The Best Western Hotel, which includes five underground levels and 15 ground levels, recently passed reviews by the Architectural Committee. The building’s main feature includes exterior panels made from POSCO steel.

POSCO PosSD stainless steel can be used for many purposes, from art to building construction. The adoption of PosSD is expected to expand due to its ability to be used for many purposes. [Image: Building construction blueprint, set for completion in 2016]

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