Rutland Architectural Copper - Gutter Supplies

Sunday, August 29, 2010

The European Copper in Architecture Awards are biennial awards which recognize excellence in design for European architectural projects incorporating copper roofing, copper wall cladding and other copper architectural design elements. The 15th iteration of the awards will officially be launched in September 2010 for architectural projects completed between April 2009 and May 2011 with the judging and presentation of awards occurring in 2011. The previously concluded 14th European Copper in Architecture Award competition celebrated the use of copper in architecture in all of it's forms and selected the best in contemporary copper architecture from across Europe. Some of the European Copper In Architecture award winners are described and shown below.

Archeology Museum of Vitoria Spain European Copper in Architecture Award Winner street view pictured here

Archeology Museum of Vitoria Spain European Copper in Architecture Award Winner courtyard view one pictured here

Archeology Museum of Vitoria Spain European Copper in Architecture Award Winner courtyard view two pictured here

Archeology Museum of Vitoria Spain European Copper in Architecture Award Winner corner view pictured here

Archeology Museum of Vitoria, Spain -Overall Award Winner
(photo credits www.copperconcept.org and www.copperinfo.co.uk)

The Archeology Museum in Vitoria, Spain was overall European Copper in Architecture Award 14 winner. The Archaeology museum shares a courtyard with the historic Palace of Bendana. The building facade is comprised extensively of copper alloy cast bronze and glass. The effect has been characterized as an ageless fortress in an urban setting which reveals more of itself as you enter the courtyard. The architects of the project Mangado y Asociados S L describe the building as "a compact jewel box concealing the treasures that history has entrusted to us".

Mediacomplex 22@ Barcelona,Spain is highly commended European Copper In Architecture Award winner pictured here

Mediacomplex 22@ Barcelona,Spain is highly commended European Copper In Architecture Award design winner tower view pictured here

Mediaplex Complex 22@, Barcelona, Spain
(photo credits Alejo Bagué, courtesy www.copperinfo.co.uk)

The Mediaplex Complex 22@ in Barcelon, Spain was a highly commended award winner and is comprised of two contrasting main elements. The factory is a horizontal block adjoining a 19th century factory building and is comprised of smooth, opaque, perforated panels of copper. The tower utilizes copper faced screens over it's vertical grid of glazing providing shade. Both architectural elements make extensive use of copper, use copper as a unifying material and share common proportions.

Housing at Frederikskaj Copenhagen, Denmark a European Copper In Architecture Commended Design Award winner pictured here

Housing at Frederikskaj Copenhagen, Denmark a European Copper In Architecture Commended Design Award winner side view pictured here

Housing at Frederikskaj Copenhagen, Denmark
(photo credits www.copperconcept.org and www.copperinfo.co.uk)

Housing at Frederikskaj Copenhagen, Denmark was a commended award winner and is a residential project of 152 light, airy and spacious owner occupied apartments or condos located directly on the harbor. The architect who see the building akin to a luxury ocean liner docked at port, used materials with a nautical heritage including textured and smooth copper, hardwood windows and glass in a thoroughly modern design. The beautifully detailed but understated copper cladding provides solidity in concert with the concrete frame and blends well into the nearby commercial area.

8/29/2010 12:43 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Sunday, August 22, 2010

Copper Architecture Awards

Each year the North American Copper in Architecture Awards acknowledges and spotlights selected North American building projects for innovative and exceptional use of architectural copper. The architectural copper awards program highlights a wide scope of projects which highlight craftsmanship, attention to detail, and architectural vision. Copper has historically long been used for its great natural beauty and finish, it's durability and performance, copper's long service life and recyclability. Copper is still today a superior building material and also one of most eco-friendly and green building materials, which is being utilized and adapted for an ever wider variety of contemporary and cutting edge building and architectural applications. Three of the twelve copper in architecture award winners are described and shown below.

Waipolu Gallery and Studio,Oahu,Hawaii with copper wall cladding and copper roofing pictured here
Waipolu Gallery and Studio, winner of North American Copper in Architecture award pictured here
Waipolu Gallery and Studio, Oahu, Hawaii
(photo credits Nic Lehoux, Vancouver, BC - Courtesy Copper.org)

The Waipolu Gallery above uses copper wall cladding and copper roofing which were chosen for this project as copper will perform well over a very long time and with very little maintenance in a very corrosive ocean side location. Copper's beauty and fluidity compliment the modern art contained within the structure. The copper provides a softer contrast to the other more linear materials used. Excellent workability or malleability of copper was advantageous allowing easy re-working or shaping on site. The building architects also like there will be changes in copper's patina or color over time, producing an ever evolving work of art. The studio with it's stainless steel, glass and concrete linear space is joined by a floating glass bridge to the copper clad gallery. The glass bridge rises above a limestone staircase which connects the building's three levels.

Mark Olsen Project,Holladay,Utah with copper roofing, copper gutters, downspouts, conductor heads and copper finials pictured here

copper gutters and downspouts with copper conductor heads, copper finials and copper diamond shaped roof tile shown with copper patina pictured here

Mark Olsen Project, a residential winner of North American Copper in Architecture award pictured here

Mark Olsen Residential Project, Holladay, Utah
(photo credits David Daniels of David Photography - Courtesy Copper.org)

The Mark Olsen Project exhibits excellent old world craftsmanship, with a copper roof and other architectural copper features such as copper finials, copper gutters and ornamental downspouts with copper conductor heads, copper crown molding, fascia and soffit, copper chimney top shroud and extended copper window box. This stately home has exquisite detailing and exudes quiet elegance from it's naturally weathered copper features. 16,000 pounds worth of hand crafted architectural copper work are used for this home's architecture. The copper roof is comprised of diamond shaped interlocking copper shingles, copper ridge vents and flashing. Of note, no sealants were used, only traditional craftsmanship and installation techniques were employed along with some soldering work on the copper gutters providing very long term durability with little to no maintenance required.

closeup of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Charleston, South Carolina copper arches, copper spire and copper finials pictured here

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Charleston, South Carolina side view with copper arches, copper spire, copper cross, copper finials and stone veneer tower pictured here

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Charleston, South Carolina front view with it's stone veneer tower, copper arches, copper spire, gold leaf copper cross and copper finials pictured here

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist Charleston, SC
(photo credits Steven of the Churches of Charleston Project
& Jeni Rone of Sea Star - Courtesy Copper.org)

One hundred fifty years in the making, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Charleston, South Carolina has at long last been restored after being completely destroyed by fire in 1861. A soaring neo-gothic style copper spire, which had long been planned, was finally realized this past spring. The stunning beauty of the copper spire with it's gold leaf finished copper cross can be seen across the Charleston skyline and out to Sullivan Island. The cathedral's tower was finished with a stone veneer and at it's top there are four copper clad archways with copper torch finials. The copper spire with gold-leaf copper cross finial is perched on top at center of the copper arches. The 200 square feet of gold leaf which covers the cross will last at least 40 years without touch-up while the crowning copper art work comprised of arches, finials, spire and cross at the peak of the cathedral will last and stay beautiful for generations to come.

8/22/2010 12:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Architectural CAD Drawings

CAD is an abbreviation for computer aided design and is sometimes also referred to as CADD, or computer aided drafting and design. CAD is used to create technical drawings for printed distribution or electronically by computer file. CAD is used in many industries to design almost any kind of product, proving very useful in rendering different shapes and configurations for new product concepts from perfume bottles to automobiles to space ships. CAD is also being used to create computer animation or special effects for movies, web sites and advertising. Architectural CAD drawings provide multiple or three dimensional views of individual architectural structures or whole buildings. Construction, engineering and architectural CAD show multiple views or images of objects exactly to scale and like manual drafting they may specify dimensions, materials, tolerances and attachments. Architectural CAD working drawings provide useful, detailed information for all phases of architectural design, planning, building material requisition, construction details and installation.

copper finial - roof finial architectural CAD drawing and specifications pictured

copper chimney cap architectural CAD drawing and specifications pictured

leader head - conductor head architectural CAD drawing and construction specifications pictured

Rutland regularly works with architects, builders, general contractors, designers, renovators and LEED green builders to supply them with CAD drawings and specifications of Rutland products and also to create custom designs for their building projects. Many of Rutland's wide array of architectural products already have an architectural CAD drawing PDF file available for viewing, downloading or printing. Architectural CAD drawings may be requested for any of Rutland's other products or for custom architectural designs based on your own requirements and specifications. Rutland is also able to work from your own building CAD drawings or blueprints to design custom gutter systems and architectural features such as cupolas, chimney caps, finials, spires, copper domes, turret roofs, gazebo roofs, dormers, roof vents, wall vents, louvers, chimney pots, awnings, deck railings - widow's walk, fire pits, copper kitchen hoods, sinks, canopies, leader heads, historical restoration work, etc. View some of the over 250 Architectural CAD Working Drawings and Construction Details already available from Rutland, manufacturer and wholesale supplier of architectural copper work, gutter supplies, building decorative metal fabrication, roof structures, copper kitchen decor, copper sculpture, copper home decor and natural stone products.

8/10/2010 12:52 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Friday, July 23, 2010

Green Building Materials - Copper - Natural Stone

Copper and natural stone make ideal green building materials for both the exterior and interior of all buildings, including commercial, public and residential buildings. What is green building? Simply put green building means the construction, renovation or remodeling of houses, public and commercial buildings so they are more durable, environmentally responsible, energy efficient and healthier for their occupants throughout the building's lifespan or life cycle. This is basically accomplished by designing and constructing buildings that last a long time, are more efficient, use less energy and water and are healthier spaces to occupy and live in. Historically, well designed and constructed buildings have delivered short term goals of utility, economy, durability and comfort. Green building really just takes the next step in building even better homes, commercial and public buildings by improving on their long term durability, quality, efficiency, high performance, human health, environmental impact, life cycle cost and sustainability. A building's total life cycle cost includes it's design, siting, construction, operation, maintenance, repairs, replacements, renovation, deconstruction, salvage, disposal and recycling. Green building materials typically include: renewable plant materials such as quick growing straw, bamboo and wood from sustainably managed forests; materials which are non-toxic, reusable and recyclable such as dimension natural stone, recycled stone and recyclable metals. Eliminating construction materials and interior finishes which have emissions of toxic gases such as formaldehyde and VOC's improve a building's indoor air quality and is healthier for occupants. Moisture control and eliminating biological or organic sources of mold, bacteria, fungi and pathogens will also promote healthier air and living space. Implementing green building techniques reduces negative impact on human health and the environment during multiple phases including the production of building materials, building construction, occupation, building operation and maintenance of a green design building. While many green buildings cost a premium which averages just less than two percent initially, green building will typically yield a financial return or savings of over ten times that initial premium during the life of the building. Green building simply saves money, protects the environment and provides healthier living spaces. The strong case for green building is abundantly clear considering the positive impact on human health, our environment and our finances.

copper mining quarry in Chile pictured here

natural stone quarry shows dimensional stone from mined natural stone deposits in Beijing, China pictured here

Copper Mining Quarry and Natural Stone Quarry

Natural resources such as copper and natural stone are mined or quarried and minimally processed natural materials as opposed to artificially manufactured materials, faux or simulated materials. Pure copper and natural stone share many green building material qualities: they are mined or quarried directly from the earth and minimally processed using environmentally conscious techniques; all waste material can be used or recycled; they require no external finishes or chemical treatments; they generate no harmful emissions or byproducts; they do not promote growth of mold, germs or other harmful pathogens; they are healthy, hygienic and non-toxic; they promote more even indoor temperature and healthier indoor air quality; they are moisture and corrosion resistant; they weather extremely well naturally; they are not flammable materials; they are not damaged by water; they do not break down, decompose, decay or deteriorate like previously living organic materials and most man made materials; they age beautifully and gracefully as natural patina formation, discoloration, pitting, dents or cracks enhance character and natural appearance; they require little upkeep or maintenance; they are extremely durable, outlasting the owner's lifetime and the building's lifespan; they are salvageable, reusable, absolutely recyclable and retain their value extremely well. Copper and natural stone are two of the oldest, most durable building materials used by mankind and countless buildings and structures incorporating natural stone and copper architecture stood for centuries. Copper and natural stone were used because they were abundant resources found directly in the natural environment, required minimal processing and were fairly easy to work with. Today spending even a little more for natural, earth friendly, durable materials has proven cheaper in the long run because they won’t have to be replaced as often, maintained as much and can be recycled. Considering on building materials life-cycle cost, rather than focusing solely on initial cost can yield some eye opening results.

green building Sala at Penn State with Gold LEED certification pictured here

City Center building with Gold Leed certification in Las Vegas pictured here

LEED Gold Penn State SALA and City Center LEED Gold in Las Vegas

We spotlighted the Penn State Sala building above in a previous blog for it's heavy use of copper (over 80,000 pounds) helping it achieve it's U.S. Green Building Council Gold LEED certification and remarkably at no additional cost over conventional building. The recent City center in Las Vegas also received LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council for six of it's buildings, including Aria, Vdara, Crystals, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas and Veer Towers. That made City Center one of the largest sustainable green building developments in the entire world. The immense project entailed collaborative involvement by eight renowned architecture firms. Green building material selection, included extensive use of natural stone for interior spaces and exteriors of the buildings. While other green materials were considered, natural stone provided the architecture with a natural textured, tactile feel and the richness, warmth, comfort, earthy look and colors they sought. The Aria building encompasses 70,000 square feet of natural quartzite stone cladding in a varying thickness mosaic pattern on it's exterior walls. Inside the buildings, different uses of natural stone were employed including a mosaic stone, stacked stone, flat honed or polished stone, to provide contrasting looks and changes in texture. Everyone involved with the project was happy with the results and the buildings continue to garner positive feedback and compliments. See additional pictures of City Center and information on it's green building features in the Stone World article Stone Contributes to LEED Certification for New Las Vegas Landmark

architectural copper work and natural stone masonry on home pictured here

natural stone wall cladding and copper gutters on house pictured here

Architectural Copper Work and Natural Stone Wall Masonry

View additional natural stone pictures of genuine natural stone installations at the Rutland Minstone website, encompassing natural stone tile flooring, natural stone walls, natural stone patios, garden stone paving, landscaping, slate roofs and stone columns. Slate, travertine, quartzite, limestone, sandstone and flagstone tiles, wall veneer panels and pavers are some of the featured natural stone applications. With large advances in mining, processing and shipping technology, use of natural stone has grown from use primarily only in major buildings and large expensive estates to becoming a staple in homes and buildings of every size and budget today. There has been a drastic reduction of genuine stone prices over the last decade or so. Around the world there is now an enormous inventory of natural stone and even more is being discovered every day. A combination of many technological advances and this very plentiful supply have combined to make natural stone very affordable and price competitive with man made materials, while having better green building characteristics and life cycle cost benefits. People have embraced the beauty and elegance of this unique, all natural material for their floors, wall coverings, kitchens, baths, outdoor landscaping and paving. Consumers prefer natural stone because it is the real thing which can not be duplicated in a laboratory or factory but is nature's very own genuine product. Natural stone is created by nature in many thousands of color variations with no two natural stone pieces exactly the same. Nothing approaches the uniqueness, durability, wide applicability of genuine natural stone and pure copper. From the beginning of time to far into the future, copper and natural stone have always been excellent green building materials while having natural beauty, grace, warm richness and timeless elegance.

7/23/2010 9:06 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Wednesday, December 16, 2009

LEED Certification Green Building

LEED or Leadership in Energy and Environment Design is a third party certification and building rating program for building performance across several key areas. LEED attempts to measure a building's performance and sustainability across such areas as: optimizing energy efficiency as well as use of renewable energy; efficient and sustainable use of building materials and resources, including reuse, renewability, recycling and durability; innovation of design, incorporation of high recycled and regional content; water conservation; ensuring infrastructure and limiting neighborhood and environmental site impact; indoor air and environmental quality, including occupant comfort; reduction in CO2 emissions; efficient operation with low or reduced maintenance and energy costs. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED is a voluntary certification which strives to verify and promote sustainable high performance buildings or communities with less environmental impact, improved livability and long term savings. While LEED is still evolving, incomplete and not nearly perfect, building rating systems, certification and verification are raising our awareness and expectations for building performance and helping shift the construction market and demand toward healthy sustainable building, our long-term well-being and environmental responsibility.

copper cladding exterior walls are recycled from regional sources in Penn State's SALA green building shown here

Penn State SALA Building - Recycled Copper Cladding

Copper used in green building materials and strategic building components contributes to high environmental and building performance in many areas, most of which qualify for credits towards LEED certification of a building. For example Pennsylvania State University's School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA) used over 80,000 lbs (35,000 kgs) of copper in its construction and it was the first building to achieve a gold LEED certification at no additional cost. Most noticeable is the pre-patinated, 95% recycled copper cladding used for the exterior walls as shown above. This green building project used copper extensively for copper's green properties: high recycled content; local or regional availability; durability; high rate of recyclability at end of building's useful life; low or non-existent maintenance costs for copper; workability of copper. To maximize these benefits, in addition to wall cladding, copper was used for all soffits, sun shading and even on ceilings of large atriums. Looking at long term cost factors also ensured copper's prominent role in this green building project. Copper's legendary durability is measured in generations rather than years or decades with little to no maintenance required throughout it's lifetime. Virtually 100% of the copper can be recycled upon eventual demolition or replacement of the building and recycled copper maintains 95% of the value for new mined copper. Copper also has the best heat and electrical conductive properties of any viable metal as well as superior resistance to corrosion. Copper's many attributes are reflected in copper's contribution to green building high performance with 13 possible LEED credits across 3 performance areas. Copper's aesthetic qualities also ensure green building architects achieve attractive, visually appealing green LEED designs without sacrificing any efficiency, performance or environmental objectives.

Bethel Woods Performing Arts Center shown here with extensive use of copper throughout and in sweeping copper roof design

Bethel Woods Performing Arts Center - Extensive Copper

Copper, Green Building and Green Certification Links:

Building Green: How Copper Can LEED the Way
http://www.copper.org/environment/green/casestudies/building_green.html

Canadian Copper Association – Green Building
http://www.coppercanada.ca/greenbuilding.htm

North American Copper in Architecture Awards
http://www.ccbda.org/NACIA2009/main/naciamain.html

North American Initiative on Copper Architectural Applications
http://www.ccbda.org/architectural.htm

European Copper in Architecture Awards
http://www.copperconcept.org/

Copper Building Products – International Site
http://www.copperinfo.com/cproducts/building.html

U.S. Green Building Council – LEED Certification
http://www.usgbc.org/

Green Building Rating Systems - Worldwide
http://www.worldgbc.org/green-building-councils/green-building-rating-tools

BREEAM: Environmental Assessment Method for Buildings Around The World
http://www.breeam.org/

Reference Source for Environmental Products and Services
http://www.greenbooklive.com/

Green Guide to Specification - Best Environmental Performance with Life Cycle Analysis
http://www.bre.co.uk/greenguide/podpage.jsp?id=2126

Features of ENERGY STAR Qualified New Homes
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=new_homes.nh_features

EPA Indoor Air Quality - Indoor airPLUS Program
http://epa.gov/indoorairplus/construction_specifications.html

12/16/2009 10:21 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Friday, December 11, 2009

Green Home - Copper Building

Green, green home, green building, going green, sustainability and LEED are all catch phrases that seem to be catching steam and quickly building momentum these days. What does go green and green building specifically mean? Green building is the philosophy, design and implementation of the most efficient use of resources, that are both environmentally responsible and positively affect our health throughout the building's entire life cycle. The building's life cycle starts with siting, includes design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and then finally demolition. The total long term environmental cost of all building components is calculated and factors into green building design. Green building extends traditional building's short term concerns of economy, utility, durability and comfort with long term goals of sustainability, high performance, human health and environmental impact. The environment is impacted by the production and consumption of materials, natural resources, energy, water and land. Our environment is adversely altered by the building's inhabitants generation of waste products, water pollution, air pollution, heat and noise. Ultimate effects may include harm to human health, degradation of the environment including the atmosphere and loss of natural resources. Green building's goal is to reduce or eliminate any adverse health and environmental impact for every kind of building including residential, public, governmental, religious and commercial.

Copper Mining

The whole field of green building is literally exploding and there is so much information already available out there on many of the aspects involved with green building. Today's blog is just an overview that defines what green building is and there will be a subsequent series of articles that will cover in more depth the many aspects involved. We will also closely examine and feature the role of copper in green building and green homes. Copper homes, copper building and copper architecture play an important part in virtually all green building designs, including some or all of the following: plumbing, wiring, solar panels, windmills, tankless water heaters, external wall siding, roofing, guttering, roof structures, flashing, chimneys, fascia, vents, duct work, healthier copper kitchen designs, even outside door and window cladding. Copper usage in fact can contribute upwards of 13 points in various areas towards LEED green building certification.