When the redevelopment of Perth's Yagan Square began in 2016, the architects and project planners shared a vision for a bustling, lively precinct joining Northbridge to the city. Today, the multi-award winning square serves as a transit area for city workers and residents and is a popular shopping, dining and community meeting space.

A striking feature of Yagan Square is its illuminated Digital Tower. The 45-metre high tower comprises 14 steel columns wrapped in a large circular screen that displays artistic works to the thousands of daily passers-by. The square's central meeting and performance spaces are also steel structures. In total, more than 600 tonnes of steelwork was used across this project.

Project partners

• Fabricator: Fremantle Steel Group
• Applicator: Fero Group (now DSI Underground)
• Architect: Lyons Architecture and Iredale Pedersen Hook Architects
• Landscape Architect: ASPECT Studios

Coatings

The steel coatings were spray applied in the yard, prior to transportation to the site. The following systems were used in the MIO colours Mid Grey and Natural Grey:

External steelwork

• 1^st coat: Dulux® Zincanode® 402 @ 75-microns (µm)
• 2^nd coat: Dulux® Ferreko® No.3 MIO @ 100-microns (µm)
• Topcoat: Dulux® Ferreko® No.3 MIO @ 100-microns (µm)
• Stripes and bolts as well.

Digital Tower columns

• 1^st coat: Dulux® Zincanode® 402 @ 75-microns (µm)
• 2^nd coat: Dulux® Ferreko® No.3 @ 90-microns (µm)
• Topcoat: Dulux® Ferreko® No.3 @ 90-microns (µm)

What was the challenge?

The Yagan Square redevelopment, which was completed in 2017, required extensive preparation and painting of all external mild steel surfaces.

The architects and asset owner sought a matt, sparkly finish for the steel. Our coatings system needed to realise the architect's aesthetic vision while guarding against corrosion and delivering an extended maintenance cycle of 25-plus years.

What were the inspection findings? 

Six years after its initial application, Dulux Protective Coatings' system at Yagan Square underwent a visual inspection. The coatings were in very good condition at ground level and in excellent condition above that.

"The Ferreko No.3 was in sound condition, with no flaking or delamination present on the tall columns. This demonstrates the system's corrosion resistance," explains Kyle Nesbitt, WA's Technical Sales Representative. "At ground level, some staining and marking of the coating was visible. This is a common challenge in high use public spaces, as low sheen finishes are susceptible to marking if touched. However, the overall aesthetic impact is excellent for a large monument like this."

Coating rating after 6 years

Rating 1* (above public access)

Rating 2* (at ground level)

Up close

"The challenge with this project was to achieve the corrosion protection a public asset needs, while achieving the architect’s vision for a low sheen sparkly finish. If the coating system breaks down too early, re-painting the Digital Tower in particular would be very challenging. Our system offers a maintenance cycle of 25-plus years to first major maintenance. That's as long as you can get." Joel Bock, State Sales Manager WA.

System benefits

The combination of Zincanode® 402 and Ferreko® No.3 gives the external steel at Yagan Square a sparkly matt finish with an extended maintenance cycle.

• Zincanode® 402 is a two pack epoxy zinc rich primer formulated for cathodic corrosion resistance in harsh corrosive environments.
• Ferreko® No.3 is a two pack epoxy coating formulated with micaceous iron oxide (MIO) pigment that imparts outstanding durability. It offers excellent barrier protection as well as a subtle metallic sparkle.

Find out more about our MIO coatings range.

* Coating Inspection 5-Level Rating System

Coatings are inspected to determine the degree of deterioration. Ratings indicate the following condition status:

1. No film damage other than dirt and minor staining
2. Soiled, stained, ingrained dirt, chalking or loss of gloss
3. Minor film damage (cracking, flaking or erosion of topcoats) in small areas
4. Minor corrosion where up to 0.5% of the base metal is showing signs of rusting
5. Widespread and excessive corrosion and damage

Case Study PDF

Image courtesy of Lyons Architecture and photography by Peter Bennetts.