North Steel Homes is the leading company in the Steel Construction sector in North Cyprus. There are not many alternative companies in this sector and we took the opportunity of discussing this steel structure system, which is still rarely used on the island, with company director, İhsan Büyük.

• First of all, we would like to know how you became involved with this building system. Can you tell us what kind of education you received and how you started the business?

I am originally from Düzce. In 1999 we experienced the Gölcük and Düzce earthquakes on the 17th of August and 12th of November; I started university the same year. At university, earthquake resistant structures were focused on and our teachers talked about steel constructions; our teachers tried to steer us in this direction. It wasn’t a new construction method, but more research had been done on more durable structures due to the effects of the earthquakes. It was then that I decided to focus my studies on steel construction.

After graduation I came to North Cyprus in 2005 and worked as an onsite construction manager for various construction companies. In 2012 I saw a gap in the sector for steel construction and established North Steel Homes.

• Concrete Structures are the biggest rival of Steel Constructions. When compared, what are the striking differences between the two types of building methods?

I always wondered why this construction system was not preferred in Turkey or Northern Cyprus, while many developed countries had been working with this system for years. The main reason was because there are too many sectors working together in the field of concrete construction. This is why concrete will always be preferred. Although we are not completely against reinforced concrete, we are also aware that it destroys nature and cannot compete with steel structures in terms of resistance to natural disasters. Moreover, basic materials such as sand and gravel used to make concrete, come from the mountains. I feel natural resources should be used more efficiently. Of course, we can build concrete structures when required but our top priority and main concern is always to use steel.

If we compare the construction procedures, steel construction projects go through the same permission processes as concrete structures. The project is approved by city planning, by the architects and engineers’ association and the chamber of electric and mechanical engineers. The only difference is that the project’s static calculation is done based on steel.

• Is there an economical advantage to using steel?

Yes, there is. Being able to recycle the materials used is the most important economic advantage. In addition to being an environmentally friendly structure due to the materials used in its construction, it can also be dismantled, restored and transported. Most importantly the only rubble left over is the foundation. Also, sound and heat insulation are 5.5 times better and so the structure becomes more economical in the long run. Sheathing and insulation are standard materials used in steel construction adding no extra cost.

According to research, prefabricated buildings last for 30-40 years, while concrete structures have a life span of 70-80 years. Steel structures on the other hand can stand for 90-100 years because they can be dismantled, rebuilt and maintained, this then extends their lifespan.

You have the opportunity to dismantle your home and move it to another piece of land you might buy. For example, let’s say the area your house is located in has grown and developed and your villa is now stuck between apartments, you have the opportunity to move your villa to a quieter area. Besides, demolition of concrete structures is expensive and it creates pollution whereas steel structures offer an advantage in every aspect.

For a standard housing project, square metre prices per unit is 30-40 % more economical than reinforced concrete during the building process. When we consider the maintenance fees that may occur over the years, insulation and recycling, this cost increases to 60-70%.

• How do designs come about while building?

While designing, many points that cannot be created with concrete can be easily replaced with steel structure systems. It is cheaper and easier to build the details requested. Steel beams are the cheapest system to use in order to create a wall with a niche, a suspended ceiling or a section with spotlights. If you want to create a large living room without beams, steel construction is the only system to use. Many reinforced concrete structures seek help from steel construction systems in special cases.

• How long does a steel construction take to build and deliver?

This changes according to the size of the project, but a standard villa project takes approximately between 3 to 4 months to complete. This is half the time it takes to complete a concrete structure. Since materials are produced in a factory and not on site, the quality of materials is constantly monitored and any error can be corrected immediately. In emergencies, construction can be hastened by increasing the equipment and number of workers. For example, in 2013 we were given a project of 8 residences from the Turkish Armed Forces which we completed and delivered in 28 days. In China, a 15-storey hotel was completed in 15 days. These are costly projects that need to be up and running as quickly as possible, but in normal conditions we can deliver a project in 3-4 months with an optimum cost. If requested, the time can be shortened.

• Can you give us more details on the recycling process?

The steel skeleton, which is our main material, can be disassembled and re-assembled six times without any difficulties, then worn parts can be replaced and used again repeatedly. There are two sections that cannot be used after being dismantled. One is the foundation concrete and the other is the exterior plaster. Apart from these sections, every piece we use such as the steel skeleton, insulation materials in the walls, the second layer of wallboards, windows, doors, windowsills, and electrical installations are all reusable. You can either reuse the materials or recycle them. In general, 70% of the structure can be dismantled ready for re-use. The best examples for this are the offices and living areas we build on construction sites.

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