June 29, 2025
As conversations about climate impact and material sustainability gain momentum, the construction industry faces a pivotal opportunity and responsibility - to rethink how we build. A recent article on Newsroom challenges us to consider whether some of our buildings should be allowed to "die a natural death" rather than be endlessly maintained at great environmental cost.
At Jensen Steel Fabricators, we believe steel plays a central role in making this shift toward designing and building smarter, more sustainable and more adaptable structures. Here’s why:
Traditional building materials like treated timber often rely on chemical preservatives to extend their lifespan - but these treatments come with environmental trade-offs, from toxicity concerns to disposal challenges at end-of-life. Steel, by contrast, doesn't need chemical treatment to endure. Its inherent durability means it can stand the test of time but it also doesn’t need to. Steel structures can be intentionally designed with deconstruction in mind, enabling them to be taken apart, reused, or repurposed with minimal waste. This mindset, known as Design for Disassembly, is gaining traction globally.
• Choosing materials and connections that can be taken apart without damage
• Labelling or documenting materials for reuse or recycling
• Designing buildings that can be modified, relocated, or broken down.
This concept is especially relevant to steel construction, which naturally lends itself to disassembly due to bolted connections, modular framing, and steel’s ability to retain full strength after deconstruction. And as the Newsroom article suggests, perhaps the future isn’t about preserving every building indefinitely but about designing smarter systems that allow materials to flow back into the supply chain. That’s where steel excels.
Steel is the most recycled material in the world and with good reason. Unlike many materials that degrade after one use, steel can be recycled endlessly without losing its strength or structural integrity. Due to being magnetic, steel is easy to separate from waste streams using magnets in recycling facilities. This contributes to its high recovery and reuse rate.
As proud members of the Sustainable Steel Council, Jensen Steel Fabricators supports the Steel Sustainability Golden Standard. This framework helps ensure that steel production and fabrication in New Zealand meets the highest standards for responsible sourcing, emissions reduction, and material traceability. In fact, over 85% of steel output in New Zealand is delivered by SFC-qualified (Steel Fabricator Certification) fabricators, keeping the carbon footprint of your project lower while supporting local industry and innovation.
When buildings are made with steel frames, they can be easily modified or expanded as needs change - a crucial feature in a world where flexibility and future-proofing matter more than ever. Steel allows architects and engineers to design for change, whether that means expanding a school, adapting a warehouse, or repurposing a commercial space. That’s real sustainability - not just in materials, but in mindset.
At Jensen Steel Fabricators, we don’t just build with steel, we build for the future. We’re proud to be part of an industry that’s shifting toward smarter, more circular construction models. Steel is not only strong - it’s sustainable, adaptable, and ready for what’s next.
To learn more about how we’re supporting low-impact building through steel innovation, check out our work with the Sustainable Steel Council or get in touch to discuss your next project.