Timeless Metal Touches

by Stacy Rinella | September 10, 2024 9:33 am

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Architectural copper has been a cornerstone in building design for centuries, long celebrated for its unique appearance and exceptional staying power. From ancient temples to contemporary skyscrapers, copper’s versatility and enduring appeal make it a favored choice among architects and designers worldwide.

Copper has a rich history in architecture, dating back to ancient civilizations. The Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks utilized copper in various forms, from roofing to decorative elements. Its resistance to corrosion and ability to withstand harsh weather conditions made it ideal for structures meant to last.

One of the most compelling reasons for using copper in architecture is its durability. Copper develops a natural patina over time, enhancing its appearance with a distinctive greenish hue and providing a protective layer that resists corrosion. This patina, often seen on historic buildings, is a testament to copper’s ability to endure and maintain its integrity for centuries.

Ornamental copper’s visual appeal is unmatched. It offers a range of colors, from its original reddish-brown to the rich greens and blues of its aged patina. This evolving palette allows architects to create dynamic and engaging designs that change with time, adding a living element to buildings. Whether used for roofing, cladding, or interior accents, copper brings warmth and sophistication to any project.

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Architectural excellence

Architectural copper is more than just a building material; it is a timeless symbol of beauty, innovation, and staying power. Its unique properties and versatility ensure it will continue to be a key element in architecture and design for years to come. As architects and designers strive to create sustainable and visually captivating spaces, copper remains an invaluable resource that restores the past, innovates the present, and evolves the future.

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Working with copper presents many fine points and challenges, Larry Peters, building construction project manager for the Copper Development Association (CDA), explains.

“Copper’s strongest attributes include long-term performance, extraordinary recyclability, and adaptability to a wide range of shapes and applications. The formability of copper allows fabricators to adapt widely used roofing and wall-cladding approaches such as double-lock standing seam and flat-seam systems to fit vastly different architectural styles, whether historic or innovative.”

Peters says that when it comes to challenges, even copper cannot overcome poor design or installation. Teams must work with skilled design professionals and experienced contractors. There are also industry-standard references like the Copper in Architecture¹ handbook to make sure their designs will function as intended.

 

Restoration metal

The courtyard of the New York State Capitol in Albany, N.Y., recently earned a spot in the top five restoration projects by the North American Copper in Architecture (NACIA) award by the Copper Development Association (CDA).

Listed on the National Historic Register of Historic Places and covering 2.2 ha (5.5 acres), the New York State Capitol represents one of the last monumental U.S. structures built entirely of masonry. The building features a central open-air courtyard with a passage and restaurant infill roofed and clad in architectural copper. For this project, architects Bell & Spina led the restoration of the courtyard and Hawk Street passageway into a public space as initially intended in the 1865 Fuller master plan.

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The scope included waterproofing and restoring copper cladding systems in accordance with extensive design renderings and technical designs developed in consultation with the NYS OGS Capitol Architect, NYS State Parks Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and the Capitol Commissioners.

To accomplish this, the team developed extensive details and set installer qualification requirements for fabricating the custom ornamental copper architectural wall panels, standing-seam panels, and flat-seam copper panels on the project. The restoration work was completed by Greenwood Industries and VMJR Companies and included complete roof removal and replacement, as well as structural reinforcement and insulation. The team also carefully restored and/or recreated all copper elements, including flat-seam and standing-seam roofing, wall cladding, downspouts, intricate rosettes, egg-and-dart trim, and ornamental scrollwork integrated into the wall panels and new windows. They designed all elements to match the original profiles while, in some cases, improving the design to allow for superior performance.

For a restoration project like the New York Capitol, there are ways the team can ensure the restored copper elements match the original profiles while also improving the design for superior performance.

“Teams should start by performing a survey of the existing building, working with skilled architects, engineers, and contractors to identify areas in need of repair or restoration,” Peters explains. “While reviewing, they should consider questions like the following: How is water shedding? Does the new design account for thermal movement? Was the original design good, but ultimately, was its performance limited due to improper installation technique? In addition, teams should look at creating mock-ups, as they can prove very helpful when refining solutions.”

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Bold new build

This residence earned a spot in the top five, but this time for new construction projects; CopperDrifts, a beach house near Provincetown, Mass., was designed by Charles Rose Architects. Copper flat-lock and standing-seam exterior panels enhance its form and visually integrate with the landscape.

Peters says when it comes to working with architectural copper, they have learned from historical projects like the New York Capitol that they can apply to current projects like CopperDrifts.

“Architects and contractors have centuries of experience working with copper for roofing, wall-cladding, flashing, and decorative applications. This experience includes many lessons learned from historic buildings like the New York Capitol that can inform new construction. Standards and guidelines use the industry’s collective experience and offer a good starting point.”

The 650-m² (7,000-sf) residence is built on the crest of a vegetated dune at the Cape Cod National Seashore. Clad primarily in copper above a rough concrete base, the house has weathered into a rich patina that visually recedes into the surrounding landscape while providing an enriched material experience for the residents and their guests.

The 355-ml (20-oz) flat-lock panels range from 305 to 406 mm (12 to 16 in.) high in relation to the scale of each building. Panels aligned with fenestration were sized to minimize waste, with custom field-bent and soldered window trim details and copings. The standing-seam copper elements at the chimneys accentuate the verticality of these volumes; the custom chimney caps are designed to shroud the flues from high winds and downdrafts.

The structure comprises three volumes extending east to west across the dune’s crest, all connected by outdoor entertaining spaces. The two largest structures slip past each other. A central stair in the interstitial gap links the seven levels of the home, including access to a roof deck, a screened porch, a shaded terrace, and a pool deck.

“Certainly, copper remains popular in residential construction. Owners of all types of homes appreciate the performance advantages and classic appearance of copper and use it to upgrade their gutter and flashing systems or to add ornamentation with canopies, chimney caps, and accents,” says Peters. “We see full copper roofs and walls mainly on high-end, architect-designed residences.”

Peters adds copper remains a mainstay of historic restoration and classically designed buildings, but we increasingly see it applied to contemporary structures. “CopperDrifts is a great example—the modern lines and excellent craftsmanship of the copper elements on this building earned it a 2024 NACIA award.”

Source URL: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/articles/features/timeless-metal-touches/

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