A bespoke perforated solar screen, formed from Nordic Blue Living 3 pre-patinated copper, defines the new Senior Learning Centre building at Ravenswood School for Girls on Sydney’s North Shore.
Architects BVN’s design optimises a 6.5m level difference across the site, with extensive glazing to the lower two floors. The upper two floors are differentiated by Nordic Blue Living 3 copper screens, creating a transparent skin enwrapping the building and jettied out over the lower levels. Here, a distinctive repeat pattern of perforations, inspired by the shape of gum tree seedlings found on site, were laser-cut into the copper.
Large openings with deep, copper-clad reveals ‘punch’ through the copper screen enabling clear uninterrupted views and introducing coloured light via glass bricks. Being set in front of the thermal envelope of the building, the copper screens mediate light and thermal penetration, reducing cooling load whilst allowing the interiors to feel light and airy.
BVN Senior Associate Phillip Rowden commented: ‘Nordic Blue Living 3 pre-patinated copper was selected for its striking colour contrast with the masonry surroundings on Campus. High quality materials, such as copper, were selected with high recycled content and low embodied energy – materials that are robust, beautiful and will stand the test of time.’
Nordic Blue is a factory-applied patina with properties and colours based on the same brochantite mineralogy found in natural patinas all over the world. The Nordic Copper range is available from Aurubis, part of the world’s leading integrated copper group and largest copper recycler.