The construction sector is undergoing changes due to technological innovations and issues such as sustainability. Especially steel structures are in demand because they are both reliable, sustainable and economical.
However, although Turkey is the seventh largest steel producer in the world and the first largest in Europe, structural steel buildings have not yet become widespread at the desired level due to incomplete information and habits. However, Turkey can be the world leader in this field due to its superiority in steel raw materials and its location in the geography where the world's largest housing needs will arise.
Shelter has been one of the most basic needs of human beings since the beginning of time. Although it is as old as the history of humanity, the rapid development of technology in the current century and the fact that sustainability has become a vital issue are causing significant changes in the construction and building sector. Structural steel buildings are one of the most prominent trends in the construction sector. In construction, which is no longer just an activity but has turned into an industrial product, structural steel structures are in demand due to their advantages such as being resistant to earthquakes, being built quickly and being sustainable.
7-10 times lighter, 2-3 times faster construction
Research shows that structural steel structures are 7 to 10 times lighter than conventional structures and are therefore less exposed to earthquake forces. Steel load-bearing structures are much more reliable against human errors since they are produced in an industrial environment with 100 percent supervision. Since they are produced in factories independent of climatic conditions, they can be built 2-3 times faster. Thus, the completion time of the building takes at least 50 percent less time than traditional buildings. It is much more possible and economical to build energy-efficient buildings. In addition, although the costs of steel and traditional structures are the same on paper, structural steel structures are always more economical due to the time and space saved. Especially in repetitive projects, this economy increases much more.
Structural steel buildings are also an important alternative for urban transformation due to their rapid construction. They ensure that not only residential buildings but also emergency projects such as hospitals and dormitories are realized quickly and safely.
The biggest obstacle is lack of knowledge and habits...
Despite all these advantages, unfortunately, steel structures are not at the level they should be in Turkey. However, according to World Steel Association (WSA) data, Turkey will be the world's seventh and Europe's first largest steel producer in 2020. It is seen that the use of steel in industrial buildings has increased from 1 percent to 5 percent in 20 years. Unfortunately, there has not been a sufficient increase for residential buildings. The ratio of steel structures to total buildings has reached 1.5 percent in residential buildings with an increase of approximately 0.5 percent.
Structural steel buildings have not reached their full potential due to lack of knowledge, habit and lack of qualifications to build traditional structures. Many prejudices such as "steel structures are expensive", "we do not have enough human resources and facilities to build steel structures", which are far from science and facts, still exist. However, it is possible for Turkey to become one of the world leaders in the production of structural steel structures due to its vast resources and its location in a geography where the world's greatest housing needs will arise in the near future. For this, the current perception needs to change.
2.5 million square meters of steel construction experience
Consera, which incorporates Akkon Çelik, Turkey's first light steel factory, aims to spread steel structures throughout the country with its half-century and 2.5 million square meters of construction experience. Melih Şimşek, Founder of Consera and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Structural Steel Association, states that they introduced the light steel construction system to the sector in the 2000s, ignoring those who said "Can construction be made of tin?". Underlining that they pioneered the opening of the first light steel graduate programs in universities and the first projects in the public sector in Turkey, Şimşek emphasizes that light steel and structural steel structures are the systems that produce the best solutions for shelter, one of the most important problems of today, with their fast construction and reliability. Şimşek continues his words as follows:
"Consera is one of the rare companies that can perform all the processes from the engineering project to the end-user experience of a building with a multidisciplinary approach. Our experience in turnkey projects and feedback from thousands of users have taught us the ideal production and construction methods for steel structures. We are pleased with the recent increase in interest in steel structures. Consera's 30 percent growth in the last three years is proof of this. However, Turkey can become one of the world giants in the export of structural steel structures with its raw materials and labor potential. Since we see construction not only as a means of profit but also as a duty of citizenship, we will continue our advocacy in this field tirelessly in order to spread safe steel structures in our country and to add high added value to our economy."
Exemplary project started
Consera, which exports steel structures to 32 countries from the Netherlands to the Dominican Republic, draws attention with its buildings that will set an example for safe housing in the market. Anka Natura, which was realized in Ankara in 2013 and has a construction area of 63 thousand square meters and 208 houses, and 35th Street, which was built in Izmir in 2014 and received the "Turkey's best low-rise project" award and has 555 houses, are some of them. In addition, the "Kuzeybükü" project in Zekeriyaköy, Istanbul is also preparing to be among the exemplary projects. With a land area of approximately 9500 square meters and a construction area of more than 12 thousand square meters, consisting of 7 blocks of 42 detached houses and designed by Teğet Architecture, the project attracts attention with its proximity to important locations as well as being in one of the safest regions in terms of earthquake. Kuzeybükü combines the reliability of steel structures with the elegance of design. The project, where the green area constitutes the majority of the green area, will provide a breath of fresh air in the hustle and bustle of the city.
