The cladding of a building can have a significant impact on a user’s experience within it. From the outside, it can evoke emotions and capture an essence of what the visitor is likely to gain. Bold and bright materials may signal a fun environment that appeals to the senses, whereas a highly-glazed facade could suggest a more corporate space, demonstrating transparency and productivity.

In this month’s issue, FC&A explores the different uses of striking golden cladding on two unique projects. The first of which is Copenhagen’s newly-completed Urban Hospice, where the designers opted for a golden skin to offer a peaceful and tranquil environment for patients in need of palliative care. NORD Architects also selected this material to portray a warm and protective setting which, combined with Kebony wood, will age gracefully over time. To read more about this shining example, turn page 14.

Meanwhile on page 30, the new home of retail store, Royal Design, uses a golden copper alloy to exude the same quality that is intrinsic to its products. Using Aurubis’ Nordic Royal golden copper alloy, the designers were able to create complex shapes to enhance visual impact and reveal different architectural experiences.

Elsewhere in this issue, Waterloo Air Products discusses the importance of air distribution and control at top biomedical research facility, Francis Crick Institute, Vastern Timber talks about the benefits of British oak and Firestone Building Products explains why sustainability needs to be part of a ‘built to last’ construction culture.

I hope you enjoy this edition. Don’t forget you can also access all of the magazine’s features, product news and supplier information at your fingertips via Future Constructor & Architect’s state-of-the-app. To download your version free of charge, simply search ‘fc&a’ on Google play or the App Store.