Marked by polished performance

Leslie McManus

Challenge

An architectural landmark demands a material that promises a memorable visitor experience matched by uncommon beauty and durability.

Solution

Stainless steel elements formed from Outokumpu Supra austenitic stainless steel deliver consistent quality and high corrosion resistance with long life-cycle.

Delivery

Steel grade: 90 metric tonnes of Outokumpu Supra 316L/4404 stainless steel

Housed in a building as singular as its legendary namesake, the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, is a stunning example of visionary architecture. Completed in 2009, the exhibition building rises 16 meters above the ground, supported by three enormous V-shaped columns. Visitors have the sensation of floating.


In the 5,600-square meter exhibition area, visitors can learn about the history of Porsche and view 80 of the company’s iconic vehicles, ranging from the early 356 to the 911. For the visitor, the Porsche Museum is an exhilarating, exciting experience, one heightened by the use of advanced materials in the landmark building’s construction.

Outokumpu Porsche museum

 

Mirroring perfection

Visitors first interact with the building in its lobby. Eyes are immediately drawn to the ceiling, which is clad in shimmering stainless steel. The reflective material makes the spacious lobby area appear even bigger. The interaction of visitors and building is reinforced by the mirror effect. Captivated by the choreography of reflection, visitors give little thought to the processes required to create such artistry.

At Outokumpu, however, intense focus ensured delivery of material of uniformly high quality. Production of customized diamond-shaped stainless steel elements met or exceeded architects’ specifications for the demanding project.

 

Strong but light

For this uniquely challenging project, Outokumpu’s Krefeld and Dillenburg plants produced 90 metric tonnes of Supra 316L/4404 austenitic stainless steel. Strong but light, stainless steel is well suited to high-profile applications like that of the Porsche Museum.

The advanced material’s exceptional corrosion resistance translates into greatly reduced maintenance. For the building owner, that means low life-cycle costs and impressive durability. For the visitor, it reflects polished performance.

Recommended products and insights

Interior cladding

What other material is versatile enough to cover everything from decorative architectural cladding to stylish, hygienic kitchen surfaces? The cool, metallic shine of stainless steel accents every aspect of our lives.

Supra

The Supra range contains stainless steel products designed for highly corrosive environments. Outokumpu Supra range stainless steels have a good resistance to uniform corrosion in many organic and inorganic chemicals. The addition of molybdenum enhances the alloy’s corrosion resistance in many acidic environments.

Krefeld, Germany

Outokumpu’s Krefeld mill produces flawless surface finishes made possible by highly advanced technology designed to optimize ferritic stainless steel production.

Dillenburg, Germany

Today’s leading architecture is dazzling – made even more stunning when clad in stainless steel. Famous buildings around the world showcase the polish and performance of Outokumpu Dillenburg stainless steel.

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