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SSEF Case Studies

This collection of significant steel case studies has been created by SSEF to assist students in visualizing the fabrication and erection processes for steel buildings. Many of the projects use Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel. These projects are published in more detail through our educational DVDs.

BCE Place - Construction

BCE Place: Construction: Heritage Square and Galleria

In 1987 an invited competition was held as part of the City of Toronto's public art requirements. The purpose was to find ideas for the spaces between the Canada Trust Tower Lobby, the Clarkson Gordon Building and Garden Court, the Bay Wellington Tower, 22 Front Street and the Bank of Montreal (Hockey Hall of Fame).

BCE Place - Finished

BCE Place: Finished - An Urban Space

BCE Place forms a vital interior urban space in the downtown Toronto core area.

Leslie Dan

Leslie Dan School of Pharmacy, University of Toronto

The Leslie Dan School of Pharmacy uses round HSS bent steel to create innovative steel hanging pods that are used to suspend classroom space in the building atrium.

OCAD - Construction

Addition to the Ontario College of Art and Design

The addition to the Ontario College of Art and Design used steel and innovation to address the densification of the urban site, while still keeping open landscaped space at grade for student activities.

OCAD - Finished

Ontario College of Art and Design: Table Top and Legs

The completed Addition to OCAD has become a major feature in the Queen Street neighbourhood surrounding the Art Gallery of Ontario, as it awaits its Frank Gehry renovation.

Pearson - Construction

Pearson Airport: Construction

The new terminal at Pearson International Airport in Toronto will eventually both consolidate and expand the facilities provided by the former Terminals 1 and 2.

Pearson - Finished

Pearson: Finished

Pearson International Airport boasts some fine examples of Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel, highlighting the craftsmanship of the fabricators and ironworkers involved in the project.

ROM - Cladding

Addition to the Royal Ontario Museum

Cladding the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal took from mid July 2005 to minutes before the Architectural Opening on June 3, 2007 - close to two years!

ROM - Construction

Addition to the Royal Ontario Museum

The addition to the Royal Ontario Museum is one of the more recent projects by Architect Daniel Libeskind. Libeskind has become renowned for his use of the structural steel diagrid as a formgiver for his architectural "crystal" buildings, as can also be seen in the Denver Art Museum.

ROM - Finished

Addition to the Royal Ontario Museum

The Michael Lee-Chin Crystal opened to great fanfare and fireworks on the evening of June 2, 2007. This marked the "architectural opening". Installations will continue to the end of the year.

Skytrain Braid Station

Skytrain: Braid Station

Braid Station on the Vancouver Millennium Line, uses a mixture of an exposed steel support system with glulam beams to create a dynamic station.

Skytrain Brentwood Station

Skytrain: Brentwood Station

This award winning Skytrain Station was designed by the firm of Peter Busby and Associates.

Skytrain Commercial Station

Skytrain: Commercial Station

Commercial Station creates the main connection between the Expo and new Millennium Lines.

Skytrain Gilmore Station

Skytrain: Gilmore Station

This station uses an unusual structural system to create its roof - a combination of steel tension cables, cast steel fitment, and plywood.

Skytrain Holdom Station

Skytrain: Holdom Station

Holdom Station uses tapered curved WF roof beams to create a gentle arch enclosure for the station. Steel lanterns created from HSS sections dot the roof line and include the public art component of the project.

Skytrain Lake City Way ...

Skytrain: Lake City Way Station

Lake City Way Station was the second to last station to be completed (aside from VCC which opened in 2006). The all steel structure creates a striking form when viewed from the Lougheed Highway nearby.

Skytrain Lougheed Station

Skytrain: Lougheed Station

Lougheed Station was created using prefabricated long curved box like trusses that were shipped to the site, then lifted into place. Transportation and erection of these gigantic members made the construction of this station especially challenging.

Skytrain Production Station

Skytrain: Production Way /University Station

Production Way/University Station uses an all steel frame to form the support and canopy for the station. The side walls, which are made from round HSS sections, were delivered in prefabricated sections to the site. The curved roof trusses were ultimately clad.

Skytrain Renfrew Station

Skytrain: Renfrew Station

Renfrew is the "sister" station to adjacent Rupert station. They share some of the same formal structural elements, with some subtle variations.

Skytrain Rupert Station

Skytrain: Rupert Station

Renfrew and Rupert Stations in Burnaby, B.C, are "sister" stations that make use of similar structural vocabulary. Steel HSS round columns with steel plate fins support the glue laminated wood beams that cantilever over the platform area. Tie down support or bracing is provided by wood outriggers with steel connectors that assist in defining the exterior architectural language of the station.

Skytrain Sapperton Station

Skytrain: Sapperton Station

Sapperton Station is the first station along the Millennium Line when approached from New Westminster. The unique structure uses round HSS members to create butterfly like trusses that cover the platform area.

Skytrain Sperling Station

Skytrain: Sperling Station

Sperling Station makes sole use of structural steel framing to create the architectural expression of the station. Vertical members use round HSS sections. The primary spanning members use wide flange sections.

YVR - Construction

Vancouver International Airport: Construction

Vancouver International Airport used an Architecturally Exposed Moment Frame system to provide both seismic stability for the terminal as well as to define the architectural character of the new terminal building.

YVR - Finished

Vancouver International Airport: Finished

Vancouver International Airport is the Gateway to the Pacific Rim for many travelers leaving Canada.

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Steel Fun is in the Details: A Gallery

This links to an external case study gallery with more interesting and innovative steel buildings from around the world. The project is being constantly updated, so please check back often for new projects!

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