Edge Hill University’s Catalyst building, designed by ABW Architects, houses the University’s Library, Careers and Student Services. Each floor differs in terms of activities, expressed externally in the copper and glass clad facades.
Nordic Brown Light copper was the natural choice for the Catalyst, strengthening the identity of the campus created by the nearby 2011 Hub building with its extensive Nordic Brown cladding. The Catalyst’s panel system, comprising metal honeycomb core and backing skin with a Nordic Brown Light pre-oxidised copper face, was prefabricated by Metal Solutions and provides exceptionally flat surfaces and seamless, flush joints between panels. The flatness of the external skin highlights the naturally developing surface of Nordic Brown Light as a living material.
Nordic Brown Light is part of an extensive range of architectural copper surfaces and alloys from Aurubis. The range includes Nordic Standard ‘mill finish’ and Nordic Brown pre-oxidised copper, with lighter or darker shades of brown. The extensive Nordic Blue, Nordic Green and Nordic Turquoise ranges have been developed with properties and colours based on the same brochantite mineralogy found in natural patinas all over the world, and offer various ‘Living’ surfaces. Copper alloys include Nordic Bronze, Nordic Brass and the innovative Nordic Royal with a rich golden through-colour.