Copper at the Seaside

Wilkinson Eyre Architects’ recently completed Splashpoint Leisure Centre in Worthing is clad in Nordic Standard copper from Aurubis Architectural and red cedar – a palette of self-finished, natural materials selected to age gracefully and withstand the aggressive conditions of its unique maritime location.

The new pool complex includes a six lane, 25 metre pool; a combined learner/diving pool; indoor leisure pools with rapids, flumes and outdoor waters; a health and fitness centre; café and flexible space for other activities. Its design is defined by sinuous, ribbon-like forms linking land and sea – likened to a series of twisting sand dunes. Copper and timber were chosen as materials that complement each other well and that form part of the English seaside tradition.

The architects also considered copper to be: “a material that truly ‘roots’ itself to the site; the material metamorphoses from its traditional rich, reflective copper red through to the dull dark browns and further to a vibrant green patinated finish.” Two different forms of copper have been used to create variation along the length of the western façade: the primary wall and roof surfaces use flat cladding panels and projected windows use a perforated rain screen system. Copper roofs and facades were installed by Kingsley Roofing.

In addition to Nordic Standard, other Aurubis Architectural surfaces include Nordic Green and Nordic Blue factory-applied patinas – developed with properties and colours based on the same brochantite mineralogy found in natural patinas all over the world. Nordic Brown pre-oxidised copper gives either light or dark brown oxidisation that otherwise takes time to develop in the environment. Copper alloys include the new Nordic Bronze, Nordic Brass and the innovative Nordic Royal – an alloy with a long-lasting golden colour. Aurubis Architectural is part of the world’s leading integrated copper group and largest copper recycler.

For more information, visit www.aurubis.co.uk/architectural