UniCote Steel provides innovative solutions to the challenges of building in Australia’s climatic extremes with Unicote Coastal and UniCote Extreme.
Architectural innovation thrives at the intersection of functionality and aesthetics. And it’s here that UniCote Steel has firmly established itself with UniCote Coastal and UniCote Extreme, delivering remarkable solutions for coastal and corrosive environments. Both products represent a significant advancement in the architectural materials market, blending unparalleled resilience with extensive design versatility. “The inspiration for UniCote Coastal and UniCote Extreme stemmed from addressing the challenges faced by architects in the Australian landscape,” explains James Gregory, UniCote’s general manager – marketing and innovation.
“More than 80 per cent of Australians reside near coastlines, yet the market lacked architectural building materials tailored to these environments, both in terms of colours and performance.” UniCote Coastal and UniCote Extreme are specifically designed to meet the evolving needs of architecture in challenging climates, enabling the creation of structures that withstand coastal and marine conditions while maintaining design excellence. By filling a crucial gap in the market, UniCote offers unmatched performance and extensive design versatility for projects facing even the harshest conditions.
Recently undergoing a rebranding, the transition from MagnaFlow to UniCote Coastal marks the introduction of a new era of materials engineered to confront the rigours of nature head-on. Not all steel is made the same or performs in the same way, with warranties often diminishing the closer a project is to coastal or corrosive influences – the only way to be sure is through warranty pre-approval. This evolution underscores a dedication to offering solutions that address locational challenges, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in architectural design.
A core innovation of UniCote Coastal is the incorporation of magnesium into its alloy, setting a new benchmark for corrosion resistance. Boasting a protective metallic coating 30 per cent thicker than traditional painted steel equivalents, this enhancement significantly increases the material’s durability and ensures that warranties remain robust. This breakthrough demonstrates UniCote’s commitment to redefining the capabilities of steel for coastal architecture.
UniCote Extreme elevates this commitment with an option for marine-grade aluminium. This variant provides ultimate saltwater corrosion protection, leveraging its natural oxidation reaction for unparalleled resistance in projects set in the harshest conditions. It exemplifies UniCote’s drive to develop materials that allow architects the freedom to realise their design visions without being limited by environmental challenges. Together, the Coastal and Extreme ranges present more than 60 colour options and assure guaranteed durability.
The Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville exemplifies the efficacy of UniCote Coastal. Tasked with enduring the twin threats of a tropical climate and proximity to saltwater corrosion, the project required a roofing material that could meet these challenges without compromising the design’s integrity. “Crafted to withstand the elements, UniCote Coastal offers exceptional corrosion resistance and weather endurance, making it the ideal solution for projects like the Queensland Country Bank Stadium,” says Gregory. With a design inspired by the pandanus tree, the stadium needed a roofing solution that was both resilient and emblematic of the region’s identity. UniCote Coastal was pivotal in bringing this vision to life, ensuring the stadium’s place as an iconic feature of the Townsville landscape and a showcase of innovative architectural thought.
Looking ahead, UniCote Steel remains committed to leading the way in material innovation, ensuring the architectural landscape can thrive even in the most challenging environments. With UniCote Coastal and UniCote Extreme, the company continues to enable architects to seamlessly merge functionality with aesthetics, allowing for the realisation of visionary projects without compromise.