Incredible architectures employing aluminium at their core of design

Aluminium has become one of the most popular materials among builders, architects and designers in the modern times. The sheer versatility of using aluminium in construction has made it an indispensable component of architecture. It is highly resistant to corrosion. It also has the added benefit of being a third lighter than steel with comparable strength. 

Three quarters of the estimated 900 million tonnes of aluminium produced since 1880 is still in productive use, 35% of which is in building construction.

Why Aluminium in construction

The architectural use of aluminum came about in the 1920s, mainly for decorative detailing. It was used for roofing, flashing, gutters, downspouts, wall panels, and spandrels.

Window Spandrel

It’s a well-known fact that the first extensive use of aluminum in construction was the Empire State Building. The entire tower portion is aluminum, as well as many decorative features, such as the entrances, elevator doors, ornamental trim, and some 6,000 window spandrels.

It would only be fitting if we took a look at some genius feats of design and architecture which used aluminum as a part of the construction.

The Empire State Building, Manhattan, New York

The Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is an American cultural icon. It is designed in the distinctive Art Deco style and has been named as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. The lobby is three stories high and features an aluminum relief of the skyscraper without the antenna, which was not added to the spire until 1952. Over 50 artists and workers used 15,000 square feet of aluminum and 1,300 square feet of 23-carat gold leaf to re-create the mural.

"Oh, no, it wasn't the airplanes. It was Beauty killed the Beast." This iconic line from the 1933 classic King Kong perhaps is the most famous popular culture representation of the building.

The dome of Rijksdag, Berlin

The dome of Rijksdag, Berlin

The gridshell technique is used in modern architecture for building pavilions. This building construction type was developed by a Russian engineer Vladimir Shukhov in 1896. However, it was used very rarely due to the difficulty of the calculations required. Both steel and Aluminium, making possible a structure that is two thirds lighter, are used as materials. In addition, the roofs and walls of such buildings are made of Aluminium plates, thus making it possible to reduce the load on the supporting construction considerably.

Interior of the dome

The Dome symbolizes that the people are above the government, as was not the case during National Socialism.

Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi

Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi

Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi opened in 2010 and is an amusement park located on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It is the first and only Ferrari-branded theme park and has the record for the largest space frame structure ever built. It has the largest Aluminium roof in the world with an area of 200,000 square metres. The Aluminium used in the roof would be enough to make16,750 Ferraris.

An unusual theme park

Formula Rossa, the world's fastest roller coaster, is also located here.

Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi

The main Olympic facility

Aluminium was one of the key materials used to build Olympic facilities in Sochi for the 2014 Winter Olympics. The building is shaped like a drop of water, and at night its exterior transforms into a colorful cascade of lights, thanks to 38,000 LEDs installed along the sloping aluminum-paneled roof. The 12,000-seat Bolshoy is the larger of two Sochi arenas devoted to hockey. It also houses the 3,000 seat arena Ice Cube Curling Center adjacent to it. Shabya (translated to ‘puck’), the 7,000-seat arena is a venue for watching men’s and women’s ice hockey.

At Sochi

The $779 million, 40,000-capacity stadium was named after Mount Fisht, and is designed to resemble a snowy mountain peak, ensuring a harmonious integration with the backdrop of the Caucasus Mountains and Imeretinskaya Valley.