Story: Building materials

Steel frame construction

Steel frame construction

The steel frame of the State Insurance Tower (known as the Bank of New Zealand Tower up until 1998) is seen in this view looking down Lambton Quay, Wellington, in 1979. Steel frames in multi-storey buildings must be encased in concrete or covered by fireproof materials so that their designed bearing capacity is not reduced in the event of a fire.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection (PAColl-7327)
Reference: EP/1979/2632/10
Photograph by Ron Fox

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Jeremy Salmond, 'Building materials - Steel, aluminium, plastics and insulation', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/25119/steel-frame-construction (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Jeremy Salmond, published 11 Mar 2010