Revolutionary, cost effective and resilient – here are a few key words to describe this week’s Mark A-to-Z. Hidden away as structure or proudly put out for the world to admire, steel is an established favourite for architecture lovers. It’s with steel construction (amongst other construction innovations) that modern architecture came about and brought us the first steel-framed skyscraper – the Home Insurance Building by William Le Baron Jenney - built in Chicago in 1884. Steel can follow the ‘less is more’ motto or be blown out to extravagance and here are five projects that show us its immense flexibility.

Gijs Van Vaerengerh breaks down the logic of the labyrinth
Photo Filip Dujardin

GENK – Gijs Van Vaerengerh – a collective of young Belgian architects and artists – completed its latest installation, aptly named Labyrinth.



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Elding Oscarson builds rough yet refined museum extension
Photo Åke E:son Lindman

LUND – Elding Oscarson's museum extension employs Corten steel to create a distinctive contrast.



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Nizio Design's International's sharply designed museum remembers thanks
Photo Nizio Design International / L. Kwartowicz

MARKOWA – The recently opened Ulma Family Museum pays tribute to Poles saving Jewish people. The terminology of remembrance has rarely been displayed clearer.



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The Petersen Automotive Museum undergoes a modern transformation
Photo Chang Kim

LOS ANGELES – A museum that celebrates the history of cars is redesigned by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates to have a dynamic exterior in Los Angeles.



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The Elastic Perspective by NEXT Architects
Photo Sander Meisner

ROTTERDAM – NEXT Architects engages in an array of exploratory activities through which interactions and exchanges of information are thoroughly emphasised.