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Architect wants brass facade with lasting variation [Norway] 

September 14, 2009

hi, i´m an architect working in Stavanger, Norway. at the moment I'm designing a single family house, and I would like to clad it with a metal that has some variation. I've seen some examples of oxidized brass that I found beautiful because of the variation and nature-like expression. I'm afraid though, that the facade will turn brown and heavy after some years, and that the wanted expression gradually disappears. it would be of great help to me if anyone has an opinion about how to do this. I know my client doesn´t want to treat the facades in the future, so it should be a lasting expression.

thankyou,

Mikal Hafsahl
architect - Stavanger, Norway

Some bronze would be very slow to change color.
You could find a book on patina to get the desired colors and then clear coat it with an automotive quality clear coat.

James Watts
- FL

After chemical colouring (or natural ageing) your parts must be clearcoated -- some years ago Germans (Fraunhofer institut fuer silikatforschung-ORMOCER clearcoats) developed high quality modified silane based clearcoat for conservation of bronze statuary -- maybe that can be useful?! Hope it helps and good luck!

Goran Budija
- Zagreb, Croatia

Dear Mr.Mikal Hafsahl,
You may consider using Titanium nitride coated stainless steel. It is an yellow coloured coating which looks some what like gold but does not have the luster of gold. It is deposited by various PVD processes. Colour variations are also possible. TiN is a hard and wear resistent coating used for prolonging the life of cutting tools etc. It is fairly stable and unlikely to fade by weathering. It seems TiN coated SS sheets are available.

H.R. Prabhakara
- Bangalore, Karnataka, India