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Learning Centre differentiates the upper two fl oors with blue ‘living’ pre-patinated copper screens, creating a transparent skin enwrapping the building and jettied out over the lower levels. Large window openings with deep, copper-clad reveals ‘punch’ through the copper screen to break up the elevations, enable clear uninterrupted views across the grounds and introduce coloured light via glass bricks. The architects said: “Our material palette required high proportions of recycled content and low embodied energy. High quality materials, such as copper, were selected for the exterior with longevity a key consideration – materials that are robust, beautiful and will stand the test of time.”
Being set in front of the thermal envelope of the building, the copper screens mediate light and thermal penetration, reducing cooling load while allowing the interiors to feel light and airy. The resulting combination of colours from framed areas of amber and blue glass bricks, vignettes of clear open views and areas with fi ltered light from the perforated copper screen give each space a unique feel and view. At night, the building undergoes a transformation, acting as a lantern illuminating outwards to the community.
Copper alloys Of course, copper alloys have also been used throughout history and bronze and brass – which can also be pre-weathered – remain popular for architectural applications. But, in addition, an innovative alloy of copper with aluminium and zinc gives a rich golden through-colour which is retained, simply losing some of its sheen, as the oxide layer thickens with exposure to the atmosphere to give a protective matt fi nish.
A perforated skin of this golden copper alloy was used to enwrap The Deptford Lounge in London, combining Tidemill Primary School and a state-of-the-art library. Pollard Thomas Edwards architects’ scheme creates a highly innovative mix of co-located uses on a single site. The complex houses facilities shared between the new primary school and the whole community via the Deptford Lounge, including a rooftop sports pitch, a fl exible suite of assembly spaces and a dining hall and kitchen.
For the golden wrapping applied to the facades, rigid folded cassettes of the
ADF MAY 2023
Ravenswood School for Girls, Gordon, Australia. Photo © Tom Ferguson
copper alloy provide sharp, clean joints between clearly defi ned panels, set-out in a stretcher bond pattern, referencing historic timber hull construction in ship-building associated with Deptford. Different levels of perforation and solid panels are used, so that the transparency of the wrapping adds another dimension to the play of light. The architects commented: “From a distance the golden form appears solid but close-up reveals itself as transparent and light- weight, fl oating above its glazed base.” “On a functional level, the wrapping provides solar shading to the large areas of glazing, while also allowing suitable levels of light in. We sought an inspiring material, with refl ective properties that would give the building a jewel-like quality set against its main street context. Copper and its alloys have sound sustainable credentials with exceptional durability and lifespan. The weathering characteristics of this copper alloy are important: the material is virtually maintenance free and provides a surface that will change very little over time.”
Chris Hodson is architectural consultant for Aurubis
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One of the most exciting developments being explored by innovative designers is the diversity of forms of copper including surface textures and perforated, expanded or woven mesh material for transparency
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