In the modern trend of glass and steel, in structures like the crystals of the Royal Ontario Museum, rapid transit stations, new airports across Canada for example, structural steel is increasingly being exposed to view. In this issue, two architects discuss architecturally exposed steel.
This spring, plate walls are found sprouting up in Quebec, such as in the offices of ING. Read about its advantages for these projects, and again the steel industry is proud to highlight its Design Award Winners for 2004 from across Canada, in this issue.
While much of Canada is not subject to seismic risk, a significant portion of the population is, for which substantially more comprehensive provisions for seismic design have been proposed for the 2005 edition of the National Building Code. Steel structures not only attract substantially less seismic forces than those built of heavier materials, they provide a strong and ductile response. A new feature "Seismic Corner" in this issue will help those designing for seismic conditions.
Michael I. Gilmor, P.Eng., Editor