Text by Australian Stainless Steel Development Association (ASSDA) Image: Murray Fredericks Photography
A collaboration between several Australian companies to create ‘gold’ stainless steel features has delivered the epitome of opulent luxury at The Star Sydney.
The Star Sydney’s multi-million-dollar transformation has seen its Pyrmont Street entrance revolutionise the guest arrival experience, with a porte-cochère facing the glittering Darling Harbour and a refurbished Grand Foyer combining innovative architecture, contemporary art and technology. Over 4000m2 of grade 316 stainless steel with a gold finish is featured throughout the Grand Foyer and porte-cochère, enriching the luxurious look and feel of the integrated
resort. ASSDA Member Steel Color Australia supplied 1mm and 1.2mm thick stainless steel sheet in various lengths from 2400mm to 3500mm and widths of 1219mm to 1500mm as the sole distributor in Australia and New Zealand for embossed, coloured, mirror finished and textured stainless steel manufactured by Steel Color S.p.a in Italy.
Titanium film
The stainless steel’s gold colour was achieved with a titanium film using a Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) coating process. The environmentally-friendly method vapourises titanium in a vacuum chamber to form an extremely thin layer that bonds to the steel’s surface. The process also improves the performance of the steel, increasing durability and resistance to heat, light, abrasion, scratches and corrosion.
In addition, the steel’s surface features an anti-fingerprint (AFP) coating preventing oil and finger marks, contributing to a sleek aesthetic finish with minimal maintenance. The AFP coating provides the titanium coating with a timer colour finish, strengthening colour stability and extending the service life of the application.
Suitable for internal and external applications, coloured stainless steel can be used in many design forms and was specified for the luxurious bespoke features in The Star Sydney’s Foyer and porte-cochère.
ASSDA member collaboration
The Steel Color Australia supplied stainless steel sheeting which was installed in the Grand Foyer and internal porte-cochère by ASSDA Member Karisma Joinery, across the door portals, elevator door jambs and ceiling panels, columns and wall panels. A V-Groove machine was used to form precise, sharp angles and folds, creating architectural profiles to achieve a seamless upmarket finish and meet the high-end specification.
The stainless steel clad elements for the external porte-cochère, including luxury retailer finishes for Gucci, were fabricated and installed by Fabmetal Specialists. All profiles and clad elements were fabricated in their workshop in Melbourne, using an in-house V-Groove machine to achieve a crisp bend profile, prior to installation on-site by the Fabmetal team. A split batten system was used to clad the stainless steel elements across the retail facade fixtures, window mullions, headers and kickers. The team was also tasked with cladding the revolving doors and overcoming challenges with complex curved works, laminating gold stainless steel on to curved fabricated T-sections in power-coated aluminium to create a striking two-tone effect. In a nod to architectural innovation, The Star Sydney will continue to welcome and awe its guests with its everlasting stainless steel gleam and elegance.
“Every week we share a new Featured Story with our Stainless Steel community. Here you can find here the online abstract, and you can access the full story in our print magazine. Join us and let’s share your Featured Story on Stainless Steel World online and in print.”
– FEATURED STORY BY JOANNE MCINTYRE
All images were taken before the COVID-19 pandemic, or in compliance with social distancing.
Read the full article.
