BlueScope Steel announces the addition of six new colours to the COLORBOND Metallic
steel range.
Developed in close consultation with leading colour consultants and
building professionals, the new colours represent the most significant update
to the COLORBOND Metallic steel range in 14 years. All six colours feature
enhanced metallic lustre and sheen resulting from the innovative BlueScope
technology that strategically locates mica particles within the paint system to
boost light reflectivity.
A result of BlueScope’s collaboration with leading colour expert Harley
Anstee of Nexus Designs, the new COLORBOND Metallic steel range include three
colours in varying shades of grey ranging from light to dark, in addition to a
pearl white, rich copper and a deep, dramatic black.
According to Mr Anstee, BlueScope extensively researched the colours
with the aim of delivering a contemporary palette that will be relevant to the current
and future needs of designers while unlocking new application possibilities. Many
professionals, including architects, building designers and interior designers
were consulted for their opinion.
BlueScope provided Nexus Designs with new and existing
COLORBOND Metallic steel product samples. Seventeen colours were
researched over 12 months. Anstee explained that the process included producing
a colour board for each one, containing a physical product sample and
supporting images of the colour in a variety of buildings, landscapes and
architectural details.
Associate director of Fender Katsalidis Mirams Architects, Richard
Weinman participated in the colour selection process and said the six chosen
colours will provide architects with a fresh design palette. Describing
the new colours as tonal and timeless in character, Mr Weinman said he was
heartened that BlueScope consulted directly with the building professionals
that actually use their products.
Mr Weinman also said that refreshing the COLORBOND Metallic steel
colour palette allows architects and the design community to look at the
application of the material in different ways. Having used COLORBOND steel
many times in the past, he adds that they will definitely be using the new
COLORBOND Metallic steel in future projects because the colours are very
much within their aesthetic.
BlueScope marketing manager - Coated and Industrial Products, Gregory
Moffitt said the new colours were developed in direct response to industry and
customer feedback. Just as paint systems for cars continually evolve to
make vehicles more attractive, BlueScope saw a need to invest in a new approach
for the paint technology used for COLORBOND Metallic steel. The company
also wanted to ensure the new palette included emerging colour influences and
trends, resulting in a mix of earthy, neutral and striking tones.
The new COLORBOND Metallic steel colours include ARIES, a bold
copper colour reminiscent of the sand and rock forms found in many areas of
Australia; GALACTIC, a white shimmering colour extremely adaptable across a
wide range of applications and locations; COSMIC, a silvery grey colour coordinating
perfectly with pale and limed colours; RHEA, a hazy, pale grey colour with a
warm yellowish overtone; ASTRO, a cool, mid grey colour that can be used
exclusively or as a highlight colour; and CELESTIAN, the darkest of the
COLORBOND Metallic steel colours with powerful, solid and imposing characteristics
that add strength to a building.
