Testaments to the durability and longevity of steel
Steel is one of the most flexible and durable materials we have—and when you build from steel, you build forever. Want to see it in action? Here are 4 structures proving steel is unrivaled—even in one of the world’s harshest climates:
Svalbard Global Seed Vault
Between Mainland Norway and the North Pole
Materials: Steel and Concrete
This important building is home to over 1.3 million seed samples, ensuring we always have backups of the crops and plants that make up the world’s food supply. Made of steel reinforced concrete and set directly into the permafrozen bedrock, this structure was built to withstand natural disasters, up to and including the melting of the polar ice caps. It’s also refrigerated to a temperature of -18 °C and powered by the Norwegian power grid with backup generators on site.
The North Pole Environmental Observatory
~55 Km from the North Pole
Materials: Steel
The North Pole Environmental Observatory is a drifting structure established to track changes in the central Arctic Basin. In service since 2000, the station drifts with the ice near the Pole, providing invaluable data about the polar environment. While not technically a “building,” the majority of the Observatory hardware is made out of steel to withstand the harsh climate of the region—and because steel is 100% sustainable!
Barneo Ice Camp
Near the North Pole
Materials: Many, including Steel
Barneo Ice Camp was first established in 2002. It’s the first—and so far only—private temporary tourist location in the area. Open only in April, the Ice Camp is rebuilt every year, and steel is essential to its construction due to its ability to withstand the area’s low temperatures and high wind load. The Ice Camp hasn’t operated since 2018 due to COVID and the Russia-Ukraine conflict; but when people are there, Barneo Ice Camp becomes, for that month, the most northern inhabited settlement in the world.
Globe Sculpture on North Cape
Norway
Material: Steel
At 71°N, the Steel Globe is a global landmark, perched on a cliff high above the North Sea. The parallel and perpendicular lines of the globe represent latitude and longitude, and the globe’s axis mirrors the Earth’s own. It also serves as a testament to the durability and longevity of steel in the elements, as it’s stood strong in this location since 1978.
Need to build something made to last? Build it out of steel! Talk to us at Metal Works. We know a ton about steel!