COMMENT
19
SPA SURFACES
The Bürgenstock Spa Hotel near Lucerne, designed by Berlin-based architects plus 4930, includes copper interiors with enhanced surfaces © Olaf Rohl
commercial HQ redevelopment in Guildford. Here, the updated, glazed entrance atrium now incorporates feature walls – including inset doors – faced with horizontal copper panels, alternating in three different surfaces: bright ‘mill finish’ alongside light and dark brown pre-oxidised copper. Structural columns are similarly enwrapped with alternating finish copper bands and the copper detailing is even continued into elements of bespoke furniture. This internal copper cladding had a post-lacquer finish to arrest further oxidisation, retaining the three colours, protecting the surface and giving a reflective surface.
The same horizontal copper panel composition of three surfaces continues past glazing to the outside. Here, the building’s entrance has been transformed with new copper-clad canopies to create a strong, easily recognised identity. Externally, the copper has not received a lacquer finish, as its architects explain: “We consider copper’s natural surface development outside, reflecting the local environment, to be one of the material’s key attributes. An attractive, gradual weathering and softening of the differentiation between the three different copper surfaces on the canopies has already begun – and will continue over time – as we anticipated.”
An alternative approach is to consider today’s wide range of copper surfaces and alloys, material forms and installation systems separately for external or interior applications. And the latest developments in abraded and embossed mechanical surface treatments are particularly
Copper and its alloys already enjoy a long heritage inside buildings, contributing a distinctive tactility to door furniture and handrails, and visual richness to lighting and other fittings
suited to interior design, adding another level of ‘close-up’ visual richness, texture and tactility.
This is demonstrated in the redesign and remodelling of a legendary 1980s spa hotel overlooking Lake Lucerne. Externally, it is clad in vertically arranged brass cassettes creating a flat surface, interspersed with generous glazing. Over time, the brass will weather naturally to complement the brown copper facades of the original building. But copper also forms an integral part of the interior design, particularly in the hotel’s grand entrance which welcomes guests with a blend of natural, warm and soft tones. Here, walls and columns are surfaced in continuous copper with a brushed, semi-matt finish. Different copper surfaces are used to highlight fireplaces in individual suites, creating a feeling of richness and warmth. To fully realise the potential of copper and its alloys – both as architectural and interior surfacing materials – designers need to understand their differing characteristics. The dedicated expertise of copper suppliers will prove to be essential.
Chris Hodson is a member of RIBA and consultant to Aurubis
ADF OCTOBER 2019
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