‘Lederam’ light collection by Catellani & Smith

From Italian lighting brand Catellani & Smith, a unique line of minimal lights with discs finished with copper coloured sheet that enclose new generation LED modules within them.

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‘OverNight’ lighting by Odd Matter for Vessel Gallery

Using traditional copper plating techniques studio Odd Matter have created a series of lamps with stained glass panels held in place by copper strips which, because they are immersed over night in an electro-plating bath, grow unique and captivating crystalline edges.

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‘Kyoto’ model from the ‘Candil’ table lamp series by Alvaro Catalán de Ocón; photo by Alfonso Herranz

Madrid-based designer Alvaro Catalán de Ocón has realised this series of decorative table lamps whose composition ‘reflects the different physical properties necessary to make the electrical apparatus work.’ Composed of three simple parts in different materials: copper and brass which act as conductors and wood which has been used due to its insulative properties, the collection comprises three different models named after three cities: Madrid, Milan and Kyoto. The series was first presented earlier this year at Spazio Rossana Orlandi in Milan. (more…)

'Bell-Light' with changeable lampshades by Sebastian Herkner

Inspired by industrial looking spotlights and reflectors the German designer Sebastian Herkner just completed a new member of his ‘Bell-Light’-family. The changeable lampshades are made of copper, steel or textile, the bodies of the spots are manufactured through traditional metal compression process in brass, copper or steel. ‘Bell’ will be presented within the ‘German Living’ exhibition at the International Expo Center in the centre of Shanghai during this year’s Interior Lifestyle Shanghai fair from 13 – 16 October 2010.

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Svalbard Science Centre 78°north by Jarmund / Vigsnæs AS Architects MNAL, photo by Nils Petter Dale / nispe@datho.no

This extension of an existing university and research building in Svalbard (Spitzbergen), in the very north of Norway was realised by the Oslo based Jarmund / Vigsnæs AS Architects MNAL. The construction which also provides new facilities for the Svalbard Museum is characterised by a faceted insulated copper-clad skin. Its shape is the result of climatic 3D simulations which have been undertaken in order to assure that the accumulation of snow would not create undesired conditions in front of doors and windows.

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'Skrúdás' by Studio Granda, photo by Åke E:son Lindman

This single family home in Gardabaer, a small town close to Reykjavik was designed by the Icelandic architectural practice Studio Granda. The roof and walls are covered by sheer copper plates with minimal fenestration of the public façades. The backside of the house with its private garden, however, is characterised by a series of interconnected terraces with large sliding doors.

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'Naturally False' by Whatels, Els Woldhek

On the occasion of this year’s RCA final show Dutch designer Els Woldhek presented her highly poetic graduation project ‘Naturally False’. The series of furniture and lamps consist of a light structure of veneered wooden sticks and surfaces which are connected through a copper plating technique. This process which is based on the electrolysis of copper sulphate acid solution, lets the copper grow in an unpredictable shape around and through the wood.

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'Copper Fish' by XPACE, photo by Alexandre Kapellos

The Zurich based architectural practice XPACE realised this extension of a private house of a sculptor in Luxemburg. The copper cladded building provides a studio and a wellness area with a sauna and a viewing terrace.

'Copper Fish' by XPACE, photo by Alexandre Kapellos

“The annex responds to the constrained spatial circumstances of the site, the steeply sloping topography and the existing house by means of complex geometry and extreme compactness. The project essentially consists of two distinct parts: the upper and the lower storeys.

The studio is housed in the garden storey. The half-sunk space is shielded against the hill slope by an angled, exposed concrete wall. Because of the full-height, openable glass façade facing the garden, the studio can also be used as an outside working area. A copper-coated, two-storey air space additionally lends the relatively small studio space a surprising spaciousness. This high triangular space simultaneously acts to resolve the junction with the existing building, and feeds additional filtered light into the deeper-set studio through the large polygonal “north eye”.”

'Copper Fish' by XPACE, photo by Alexandre Kapellos

“The upper storey with the relaxation and wellness area, executed in a lightweight construction and with its corporeal appearance, is set on top of the studio. The seemingly floating wooden construction is completely wrapped round with bands of copper so that the façade figuratively ties the various functions up together into a unified whole. The course of the metal ribbons, running from the façade right through into the interior space, reinforces the complexity of the spatial layout, whilst its copper shimmer also serves to create a warm and intimate internal atmosphere. The old and the new constructions are further braced together by a spatially encapsulating layer of custom made furniture and fixtures (wardrobe/WC/bench/wash-stand/couch).
The elevated position of the upper storey, nestled amongst the treetops, provides a beautiful vista over the park-like private garden.

The roof, constructed as a sundeck and affording an open view onto the Kirchberg and the surrounding landscape, forms the upper surround of the house.”

'Copper Fish' by XPACE, photo by Alexandre Kapellos

'Copper Fish' by XPACE, photo by Alexandre Kapellos

to the XPACE profile @ Architonic