Amid heritage and inter-war buildings in Sydneyʼs Surry Hills, Paramount House Hotel occupies a 1930s brick warehouse, neighbouring a landmark art deco building. Completing an irregular city block once associated with film pioneers Paramount Pictures Studio and 20th Century Fox Film Association, the hotel’s design by Breathe Architecture reflects this historic context.
The copper chevron screen crowns the building’s 3-storey brick shell, enwrapping an added storey. Nordic Copper was formed into rectangular tiles by CASA Group. Architectural Roofing & Wall Cladding Pty then designed, using 3-D modelling, and assembled the modular sub-frame façade system off-site before delivering and installing the 7m long modules. With some tiles perforated and others tactically omitted, the system comprises three scenarios, adding richness and visual interest.
Contextual Response
Breathe Architecture said: ‘Contextually responsive to its Sydney location, Paramount House Hotel is truly unique. It is about expressing everything that was old and true, honest and raw, about the existing warehouse. To the existing brick and timber shell, we brought a robust, authentic palette of structural and architectural metalwork, concrete, recycled timber, locally designed tiles, textiles, fixtures and fittings. The delicate jewel-like Nordic Copper chevron crown captures the spirit and excitement of the golden era of film. The project explores the narrative between artefact and ornament, of place and of home.’
Some suites include an external terrace tucked in behind the copper screen, to provide shade, natural ventilation and interaction with both streetscape and climate. With a combination of perforated and opaque Nordic Copper tiles, the chevron facades – and their selective omission – curate views to the city, as well as modify daylighting and reduce glare. The same theme has also been employed for copper partition walls throughout the hotel's reception lounge, inside the former film storage vault.
Unrivalled Performance
Copper has an unrivalled lifespan, no maintenance and full recyclability. With an ‘A1 (non-combustible material)’ fire classification to EN 13501-1, it is suitable for cladding tall buildings, using appropriate constructions. It is also non-toxic with inherent antimicrobial qualities making it ideal for touch surfaces internally as well.
Nordic Standard is part of an extensive portfolio of architectural copper surfaces and alloys from Aurubis, part of the world’s leading integrated copper group and largest copper recycler. Choices include Nordic Brown pre-oxidised copper offering lighter or darker shades of brown determined by the thickness of the oxide layer.
The extensive Nordic Blue, Nordic Green and Nordic Turquoise ranges have been developed with properties and colours based on the same brochantite mineralogy found in natural patinas all over the world. As well as the solid patina colours, ‘Living’ surfaces are available for each with other intensities of patina flecks revealing some of the dark oxidised background material.
Copper alloys include Nordic Bronze and Nordic Brass, which can also be supplied pre-weathered. The innovative Nordic Royal is an alloy of copper with aluminium and zinc, retaining its golden colour. Nordic Decor mechanically applied surface treatments are also available.
