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“Perforated steel sheets: low material and energy requirements,
an impressive ecological footprint!”
Philippe Samyn

THE PERFORATED STEEL SHEETING

Before using perforated steel sheeting, the use of which has been Opened in 2003, the Erasmus metro station in Brussels, described
developed thanks to progress in the field of laser cutting, Philippe by the majority of users as the station with most light, is also the
Samyn used to use expanded metal. Expanded metal and perfo- one where users feel safest, thanks to the transparency of the
rated steel sheets for different uses. walls.The station serves the ULB’s Erasmus University Hospital
and its campus.
Philippe Samyn’s studies on the filtering and direction of sunlight
and their application in his buildings have a long history. The platforms are protected by spanned sails, membranes made
of glass fibre and PTFE fabric.
Among others: Back in 1999, the Hellebecq service station featured
screens of expanded galvanised metal for the facades of the res- These membranes are spanned by steel cables fixed to the facades.
taurant and certain walkways.
The side facades, cones of stainless steel sheeting, protect passen-
In harmony with the service station’s “countryside” theme, these gers from side winds.
screens offer visitors a view while also protecting them from the
weather.The voids in the metal point downwards, thereby blocking Or again, the use of perforated sheets in tension (1/15 of yield
out overhead sunlight while also reflecting light into the building’s stress) for the recent design of the stairs for the seat of the
interior. European Council and the Council of the European Union
in Brussels.
Perforated steel sheeting as wind protection: Again in 1999, the
Houten service station in the Netherlands also used galvanised Their light weight, their mechanical properties, their extreme
expanded metal screens as wind protection.To protect visitors transparency (up to 55% for the Charleroi fire station) and even
against the windy micro-environment of any service station, these their acoustic properties have made these perforated sheets one
curved screens, 50% open, reduce the impact of the wind.The of Philippe Samyn’s favourite materials.
positioning of these “wind shields” was the result of airflow calcu-
lations aimed at reducing as much as possible air turbulence. 50% He is also researching ways of enveloping buildings with perfo-
open, they maintain their transparency and also help direct vehicle rated steel sheets, making the most of their properties.
traffic through the station.

Hellebecq service station, Fina Europe (Ref. 01 | 386) Houten service station, Fina Europe (NL) (Ref. 01 | 363) Erasmus Station, Brussels (Ref. 01 | 283)