Table of Contents

As landscape design continues to evolve, public acceptance of various design forms and materials has significantly increased. Corten steel has particularly gained popularity and is now extensively used in landscape design. This article aims to analyze the characteristics of corten steel and categorize its application in landscape design, offering theoretical guidance for designers.

Material Significance in Landscape Design

In landscape design, the choice of material is crucial. Materials typically express their nature through attributes like texture, color, and scale, which are fundamental in reflecting a designer’s vision. Landscape architecture employs a variety of materials, among which corten steel, a special metal material, has seen increasing use in modern designs.

Overview

Corten Steel, an atmospheric corrosion-resistant steel, is a low-alloy steel positioned between ordinary steel and stainless steel. By adding a small amount of copper, nickel, and other corrosion-resistant elements, corten steel offers improved performance. Its corrosion resistance surpasses that of regular steel. In natural environments, corten steel, enhanced with elements like niobium, molybdenum, phosphorus, and titanium, forms a protective oxide layer. This layer, ranging from 50-100 μm, effectively prevents atmospheric oxygen and water from penetrating the steel matrix, thus enhancing its durability.

Corten Steel Applications in China

At the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, the Australian pavilion utilized corten steel extensively for its exterior walls, creating a red soil state ambiance. This use showcased corten steel’s unique properties and left a lasting impression. The pavilion’s design adhered to the principles of environmental protection and sustainable development, as the corten steel could be recycled after demolition. The Chilean Pavilion also featured corten steel. This Expo marked corten steel’s first large-scale application in China, leading to its widespread use in landscape design.

Corten Steel in Landscape Design

Geometric Sculpture and Planting Troughs

Corten steel’s rusty red surface, with its rough texture, makes it an appealing material for building exteriors. Its combination with corrosion-resistant wood and stone creates a blend of cold and warm, rough and delicate contrasts. This material can be utilized in constructing gate decorations as geometric sculptures and planting troughs, emphasizing the garden design’s concept.

Simple Geometric Shapes

Corten steel’s strong shaping capability allows it to be formed into various expressive shapes while maintaining integrity. It can be folded or twisted, complementing the terrain and surrounding conditions. Its shape-forming ability makes corten steel ideal for creating simple geometric structures.

Defining Spaces

The strength and toughness of corten steel allow for the use of thin steel plates to cleanly and accurately divide garden spaces. This usage makes the landscape appear more concise and dynamic. Corten steel can act as both a focal point and a boundary within garden spaces.

As a Temporal Language

Over time, corten steel changes color due to environmental and climatic factors. This aging process allows corten steel to capture the history of a garden site and reflect a sustainable environmental design concept.

Landscape Sketch Application

In landscape architecture, corten steel can integrate buildings, landscapes, and plants organically. It can simulate natural beauty after being processed and refined, creating a pleasant and diverse environment.

Visitor Services

Corten steel can be used to create resting and shaded areas for visitors, such as chairs and verandas, as well as utilities like sinks, toilets, or trash cans. Its load-bearing capacity and integrity make it suitable for structural solutions, reducing labor costs and shortening construction periods.

Corten Steel in Landscape Design

In garden design, corten steel can be used for waterscapes, rockeries, flower beds, sculptures, doors, windows, and railings. Its weatherproofing capability allows it to change over time, adding a sense of volume and quality. The rusted surface of corten steel sculptures, like those by Serra, brings a sense of history.

Corten Steel in Garden Lighting

Corten steel can be used in various garden lighting designs, such as lawn lights, square lights, and spotlights. Its unique color and texture change with light, adding an artistic charm.

In Conclusion

As a unique metal material, corten steel’s application in landscape design has grown in recent years. Designers exploit its shaping ability, spatial definition, and temporal changes to enhance its use in landscapes, bringing a rich life experience and spiritual fulfillment to people.

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