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Throughout history copper has always

ascinated people with its naturally chan-

ging surace, malleability and unique vi-

sual characteristics. Architects and ar-

tists continue to fnd inspiration and seek

new possibilities with this most adaptablematerial and the copper industry is keen

to work closely with them in realising new

concepts.

Elsewhere in this issue o Copper Fo-

rum there are numerous examples o the

diversity that copper oers architects,

ranging rom the new golden alloys to the

development o variable pre-patinated f-

nishes. In this and in previous issues we

have also seen the many dierent clad-

ding and roofng techniques available, as

well as the individual work o artists and

interior designers using copper.

But innovation in response to the imagi-

native demands o today’s designers con-

tinues. Here, we explore just some o the

latest copper techniques available now.

SHAPING THE FUTURE

A completely new kind o press modelling

technology or copper oers a new design

reedom by introducing three-dimensio-

nal shapes and decorative elements into

açade design. It also provides endless

opportunities in interior design and de-

coration, cladding and mouldings. Digital

COPPER INSPIRATION

Exploring the latest techniques including pressmodelling, peroration and surace treatments

press modelling is a highly automated

system or sheet copper which takes th-

ree-dimensional design straight rom the

designer’s desk to the fnished product.

TRANSPARENCY AND OPACITY

The use o copper mesh and perorated

copper sheets oers a resh design di-

mension or buildings. They can be used

externally as rain-screens, solar shading

and opaque cladding - or internally as par-

titions, screens and other interior design

elements. Transparency can be generated

by stretching or piercing copper sheet, or

weaving copper wire into a mesh. Coppersheet is easy to water-cut and perorate

in various ways and the dierent shades

o colour and surace treatments widen

the design possibilities even urther. An

impressive example o perorated copper

technology is the Parventa Library buil-

ding in Latvia (eatured in the last issue o

Copper Forum CF27/2009). Here, the sizes

o perorations were varied to generate

text graphics quoting the lyrics o Latvian

olk songs!

RICH AND VARIED SURFACES

The surace o copper is vibrant, multia-

ceted and ever changing: the glowing, li-

vely suraces and individual colours are a

source o inspiration or creative minds.

But advanced technology provides scope

or a rich diversity o colour shades enable

applications beyond architecture. Copper

is a versatile and durable natural material

the surace o which is easy to vary by pati-

nating, moulding or dyeing. Individual sur-

aces can be produced or either custom-made bulk products or one-o projects.

Copper withstands dierent treatments

extremely well and moulding, shaping or

patination does not weaken the quality o

the material. It is certainly worth experi-

menting with these new types o products.

INTERIOR INSPIRATION

Copper is ideal or interior design instead

o conventional materials or in combina-

tion with them. The surace o coppercan be varnished or waxed to preserve

its distinctive colour and shine indoors.

The applications or copper internally are

endless - on ceilings, kitchen cupboards

and suraces (where the material’s anti-

microbial properties are important), cor-

ner mouldings and detailing (to provide

continuity throughout an entire building),

and eature elements such as freplaces

and light fttings.

International Copper Promotion Council (India)l602, Omega, Hiranandani Gardens Tel: (91) 22 6693 7989 Fax: (91) 22 6693 9282 www.copperindia.orgl l

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International Copper Promotion Council (India)l602, Omega, Hiranandani Gardens Tel: (91) 22 6693 7989 Fax: (91) 22 6693 9282 www.copperindia.orgl l