Federation Square

Federation Square, dubbed "the new centre of Melbourne," is the size of an entire city block. As one of the most complex and ambitious construction projects ever undertaken in Australia, it has set new standards in all fields of design and is the most significant project undertaken in Victoria.

This choice provided a distinct economic advantage compared to paint systems.

Of the project's 3,000 total tons of steel, over one-third of it was hot-dip galvanized. This choice provided a distinct economic advantage compared to paint systems. The resulting visual appearance is also aesthetically consistent with the overall design of the project, creating a blend of typical Australian building materials. Especially challenging was overcoming the natural zinc and air traps inherent in the design of the three-dimensional frames (achieved through special venting and draining), while achieving a straightness variation of less than one millimeter. This project - which challenged typical hot-dip galvanizing processes - is an exceptional example of how a great level of innovation, planning, and persistence can lead to the successful specification and use of hot-dip galvanized steel. The end result is one of the most outstanding uses of this protection method in Australia's history.