Inspirational Nordic Copper

Nordic Copper offers an extensive range of natural surfaces and alloys that can be applied in numerous ways to clad a wide variety of building types from major public buildings to distinctive individual homes. A growing series of building studies – via www.nordiccopper.com – showcase the diversity of surfaces, forms and applications available today.

Copper’s unique architectural qualities are defined by its naturally developing patina – which cannot be replicated successfully using other materials with surface coatings. Within a few days of exposure to the atmosphere, a copper surface begins to oxidise, changing from the ‘bright’ mill finish to a chestnut brown, which gradually darkens over several years to a chocolate brown. Continued weathering can eventually result in the distinctive green or blue patina seen on older roofs.

Natural Processes

The Aurubis ‘Nordic Copper’ range provides all these surfaces straightaway. The processes involved are generally similar to those taking place over time in the environment, utilising copper mineral compounds not alien chemical processes.

All these surfaces form an integral part of the copper, generally continuing to change over time outside, and are not lifeless coatings or paint.

The Nordic Copper range includes Nordic Standard ‘mill finish’ and Nordic Brown pre-oxidised copper offering lighter or darker shades. The extensive Nordic Blue, Nordic Green and new Nordic Turquoise ranges have been developed with properties and colours based on the same brochantite mineralogy found in natural patinas all over the world. As well as the solid patina colours, ‘Living’ surfaces are available for each, with variable intensities of patina flecks revealing some of the dark oxidised background material.

Copper alloys include Nordic Bronze and Nordic Brass – which can also be supplied pre-weathered. The innovative Nordic Royal is an alloy of copper with aluminium and zinc, which retains its golden colour and simply loses some of its sheen over time. A wide choice of Nordic Decor mechanically applied surface treatments is also available for various surfaces and alloys, particularly suited to interior applications.

Diversity and Performance

Apart from traditionally-jointed, rolled material supported by a substrate, other forms of copper for architecture include profiled sheets, extremely flat honeycomb panels, pressed surfaces for texture and modulation, and perforated, expanded or woven mesh for transparency. But there is more to architectural copper than meets the eye, with an unrivalled lifespan and no maintenance. Its ‘A1 (non-combustible material)’ fire classification to EN 13501-1, is also suitable for cladding tall buildings, using appropriate constructions.

The lifespan of architectural copper can be regarded conservatively as 200 years, subject to substrate and structure, with significant impacts upon comparative whole of life costs. As a lightweight and flexible covering, structural support demands are reduced, resulting in lower carbon. Copper is also fully recyclable utilising long-established practices – 97% of copper in construction comes from recycling – and has other impressive sustainability and environmental credentials. And, of course, copper retains a high scrap value at eventual demolition.

To explore inspirational Nordic Copper building studies, visit: https://www.nordiccopper.com/copper-stories/