Important changes to European environmental certification now recognise the contribution an infinitely recyclable material like copper can make to the circular economy, and will help specifiers to select the most sustainable materials.
Focusing on a single material – as we do here with copper in all its forms – enables illuminating comparisons of different architectural approaches by different designers. A common thread in this issue is the designer’s fascination with copper as a living, changing material, often reflecting a building’s context, whether historical or geographical.
As usual, we showcase a range of inspirational projects from around Europe and beyond. But what stands out in this issue is the diversity of approaches to materiality in design, combining copper with other high-quality materials.
In this issue, we focus on some of the fresh opportunities in contemporary design being explored by architects, taking copper and its alloys beyond the numerous established surfaces, forms and installation systems available today.
Before assessing the environmental benefits of architectural copper, it’s worth going back to basics. Copper is a natural element within the earth’s crust which has been incorporated into living organisms throughout the evolutionary process. It is an essential nutrient required by virtually all higher life forms and nature is well adapted to making best use of copper, protecting itself from any negative effects. This applies at the most basic levels right up to the most complex metabolic functions of the human body. It also holds true with the long-term effects of copper on buildings.
Copper and the Home is a biennial competition established in 2006 that challenges the minds of young designers, architects, engineers and students across Europe to explore and harness the properties of copper that make it essential to modern living, and reimagine how it can improve our lives and enhance our daily routines through creative design.
WINNING WAYS WITH COPPER
It is a pleasure to open this issue with the results of the 2017 European Copper in Architecture Awards. But there is far more to read as well, with a wide selection of other projects from around Europe and well beyond, and our second ‘Copper Inside’ interior design supplement.
The results of the 2017 European Copper in Architecture Awards 18 have just been announced. The Maersk Tower research complex in Copenhagen, designed by C.F. Møller Architects and characterised by its grid of copper fins, was the outright winner. Two infrastructure projects were Commended and the Hydropolis water sculpture pavilion in Wrocław, Poland, received the Public Choice prize.
The diversity of surfaces offered by copper and its alloys today is greater than ever. It is important to appreciate the living nature of the material and its evolving appearance on buildings, driven by local environments. In this and future issues, we aim to show changes over time with featured projects –
Craig Casci (GRID Architects, London), Maxime Enrico (LAN, Paris), Ebbe Waehrens (BBP ARKITEKTER, Copenhagen) and Ville Hara (Avanto Architects, Helsinki).
Eight diverse projects from across Europe have been shortlisted for the 2017 European Copper in Architecture Awards. This article gives a preview of the shortlist and a glimpse inside the judging process.
Extended Deadline, you have until 12th May to submit your project.
Architects are being called to showcase their most arresting copper and copper alloy designs as the European Copper in Architecture Awards 18 opens for entries.
Copper and its alloys such as brass and bronze are increasingly used in the word of design thanks to their instantly-recognisable beauty and extraordinary versatility. We would like to draw attention of designers working with copper to enter A' Design Award & Competition.
As usual, this issue presents some of the best architecture from around Europe. It showcases the rich variety of surfaces that copper and its alloys can deliver for contemporary design – whether gold, brown, green or blue – all living materials continuing to develop in the local environment. But what stands out from our eleven projects is the wealth of different, sometimes innovative, approaches taken by designers today with how and where they use copper.
The 2016 100% Design Show held in London in September proved yet again that interior designers are still making the most of the properties and colours available through copper, brass and bronze.
