The History of Metal Buildings

Metal buildings were the one of the most distinctive innovations of the Industrial revolution. Innovations in the production of iron and steel allowed for the increased use of metal in the construction of buildings and other architectural structures. From the construction of railways, trains and bridges, this development radically transformed the world and society in which we live.

Prior to the Industrial revolution most buildings and structures were made of wood. Going back to antiquity many large structures were made of various types of stone. Marble, shale, limestone and other heavy stones had been used to construct the greatest structures from the ancient world. From the Great Pyramids of Egypt to the Acropolis in Greece to the Coliseum in Rome, the use of thousands of human individuals went into their construction.

After the Renaissance, smaller buildings were built with bricks and mortar. By the age of the Industrial Revolution many of the large factories were built almost entirely of brick and stone. The Industrial Revolution transformed the landscapes of Europe and North America. The demand for massive scales of labour, forced many people to migrate from the countryside to towns and cities. As the masses moved into the cities, housing for large numbers of people became essential.

Wooden structures were not appropriate to house such large numbers of people. Fires were the primary danger. Also wooden structures were not sturdy enough to securely house many people in one building. As the industrial workers needed housing, the architecture of housing changed. Buildings of brick and glass were supported by iron frames.

As cities exploded in population growth, mass transportation was needed. Cities laid down iron rails on street surfaces and above the ground to construct tram lines and elevated rapid transit. Cities situated on rivers constructed newer and larger bridges to accommodate the increase of traffic. Wooden bridges were replaced by iron bridges.

In the United States, many factories were constructed entirely of cast iron. The SoHo district of New York was the first industrial zone of the city. Today, the factories have given way to lofts and art galleries. SoHo is a national landmark for being America's first district made entirely of cast iron.

The most famous structure in the world made entirely of iron is the Eiffel Tower in Paris. A monument to French industrial and engineering technology, it was noted for being the world's tallest structure. Standing at more than one thousand feet in the air, it's Paris' most famous and distinctive landmark. The Eiffel Tower ushered in the era of the skyscraper and the use of iron and steel in the construction of buildings.

Today, metal buildings are everywhere both large and small. They can be found in the largest cities in the world and in the smallest most rural communities. They are no longer confined for industrial urban and technological purposes. They are increasing used by farmers as barns. Fewer and fewer barns today are made of wood. Iron and steel are the essential elements of building construction in the world today.