“The Sustainable Lightness of Steel Constructions” by Manni Group
The new publication expanding the scope of off-site construction.
The Sustainable Lightness of Steel Constructions, authored by Grazia Marrone, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at the Department of ABC of the Politecnico di Milano, intertwines the intense research activity which has been conducting with Manni Group for several years and the company’s industrial expertise. The book, published by The Plan and promoted by Manni Group, offers a new perspective on off-site steel architecture, contributing to the contemporary debate on the evolution of the construction industry towards more sustainable approaches.
The volume begins with a cultural reflection: the osmotic relationship between Architecture and Industry is not a new topic, but today it assumes an entirely new centrality. From the first insights of the Modernist Movement to the current logic of Industry 5.0, we are witnessing a paradigm shift that goes beyond the purely technical dimension of the Off-site approach, focusing on sustainability in all its complexity.
A new paradigm that, paraphrasing Mies van der Rohe, the great master of steel and architecture, can be summarized by the motto “More with Less”, here understood as the ability to achieve better performance by using less material, but more effectively.
Alongside the theoretical dimension, the volume explores technological potentials, telling the story of an innovative and rapidly expanding supply chain: from hot-rolled steel structures to Light Steel Frame systems, to sandwich panel facades—all adaptable to different levels of off-site assembly, from 2D systems to 3D volumetric modules.
At the close, a collection of over 20 case studies showcases applications and experiments in various contexts, offering the designer an overview of the performance and aesthetic potential of lightweight off-site steel systems, assembled dry. Through these real-life examples, the publication emphasizes the importance of spreading a more conscious building culture, where the relationship between Architecture and Industry is central to addressing contemporary challenges.
The book is available for purchase on the Maggioli Editore online store.