The Stockholm Project
Introduction
In this project, I will be focussing on the architecture of the Swedish capital, Stockholm, as I find each building structure, especially the rooftops, rather intriguing with its ever-changing colours and clean edges. Although it is the same old buildings that remain in the city as time evolves the rooftops seem to as well. For instance, the Stockholm City Court once had a copper-bronze rooftop, but has now transformed into patina colour. This is due to a natural weathering process where the copper is constantly reacting with the oxygen in the air (oxidation). Over a very long period of time the effects of oxidation begin to show, when the copper becomes discoloured turning into a mouldy turquoise- green. (Copper Development Association Inc, 2016)
Stockholm Roofs: Why?
Copper roofing for instance is highly popular in Sweden, as this traditional material has been used for almost 400 years. It is said that the royal palace in the country, Tre Kronor, during the late 16th century was constructed with a copper roof as the traditional straw roofs was seen as a ‘fire hazard’ by the monarch at the time, King Johan III. From then on, especially the beginning of the 17th century, the use of copper roofing grew throughout the capital, and was popular amongst the architects of the time. (Sundberg, R., 1999)
Advantages of Colour:
In 21st century Sweden, there are (still) harsh winters with temperatures plummeting to -3 degrees Celsius and the use of copper roofs helps with this. When situated in such a cold country, it is only sensible to preserve as much heat energy as possible to efficiently warm up a home or building. The obvious solution would be to have dark rooftops. Although available in various colours, dark colours such as black will absorb any internal or external light (sunlight) and convert this into heat energy, which will in turn warm up the home.
This would save up to 80% of the cost contributing to energy bills. Meaning only 20% goes towards heating and energy bills, which is significantly low. (All Roofing Solutions, 2016)
However if original copper sheets are used for the rooftops of homes, rather it is 80% saved on cooling bills (air conditioning) , as the light coloured and shiny surface of the material will reflect the heat off the roof back into the environment. Either way copper roofing seems to be the solution or the way forward for a more eco-friendly world and energy efficient homes and housing. (All Roofing Solutions, 2016)
This would save up to 80% of the cost contributing to energy bills. Meaning only 20% goes towards heating and energy bills, which is significantly low. (All Roofing Solutions, 2016)
However if original copper sheets are used for the rooftops of homes, rather it is 80% saved on cooling bills (air conditioning) , as the light coloured and shiny surface of the material will reflect the heat off the roof back into the environment. Either way copper roofing seems to be the solution or the way forward for a more eco-friendly world and energy efficient homes and housing. (All Roofing Solutions, 2016)
Copper Roofs
Advantages of Copper
Disadvantages
When it comes to such metal roofing, there are very little disadvantages, which are usually minor and therefore outweighed by the advantages.
Further Advantages
- It’s highly resistant to many elements, more so than the modern high tech roofs. Firstly, it is weatherproof, can withstand heavy rainfalls, fires and heavy snowstorms and blizzards, and therefore is water tight and fireproof. (Sobczuk, L, 2011 )
- As many architects, designers and those in the building industry would usually say, there is an aesthetic appeal about such roofs that give a building more character, substance and uniqueness.
- In Stockholm, the roofing makes the city and the simple structure of the building look far more appealing than the typical clay roofing tiles. Therefore, in my eyes the structure as a whole beats the sophisticated houses with the interesting wooden or bamboo cladding, any day. Houses or rather buildings are given real authenticity and again, character.
- Copper is the long-term roofing solution, as it requires little maintenance and is said to last at most 50 years, which proves its durability.
- With such great ductility and malleability, this is the most convenient material for complex and unusual roof structures making it not only makes it convenient but also energy efficient than other materials. As the copper can cover all angles and curves of the roof with the most complex of structures, no energy is lost even through the minute of gaps within the roof. (Sobczuk, L, 2011), (All Roofing Solutions, 2016).
- There is not much weight or stress put on the structural frame of the building/house as the copper is lightweight.
- The change in colour to patina green, over the years is particularly attractive to some architects and homeowners as the home is given a distinctive look, all throughout the natural weathering process. During this colour transition the roof becomes two or more different tones, which some home-owners particularly like as it looks unlike any other making it unique not just to look at but to study as the colour constantly evolves until it reaches patina green. (LGC Roofing, 2015), (Roofingcalc.com, [no date]).
- This weathering process protects the copper from corrosion, meaning that no matter the extreme weather, it will not wear away or rust which is partly why it is so durable.
Disadvantages
When it comes to such metal roofing, there are very little disadvantages, which are usually minor and therefore outweighed by the advantages.
- As copper is a rare material to extract and produce each roof panel is rather expensive and therefore makes the overall roofing process, including installation, rather costly. In addition, specialist contractors and roofers in copper will also need to be hired and as installing such a material on to a roof is rather complex and requires highly skilled and trained professionals, the labour cost will obviously be more than usual. (All Roof Solutions, 2016)
- Softer materials such as wood absorb and dissolve the sound better than metals and therefore copper during extreme weathers, such as thunderstorms. Having copper roofing would mean that you would have to prepare for all the noise during heavy rainfalls etc, which is a huge sacrifice, especially as it could interrupt your sleeping pattern.
- With no noise dampening, the noise from the roofs during the extreme weather is like typical metal and brass instruments such as the trumpet, the ride, crash, and symbol of a drum kit. As the rain drops or hail stones hit the roof, like these instruments the noise is projected and amplified more so that traditional roofing solutions such as asphalt shingles and wood due to its acoustic nature. (All Roof Solutions, 2016)
- During specific seasons, the weather obviously changes and this affects the roofs, as it will tend to expand and contract in these periods. As a result, sometimes the roofing becomes loose and therefore the “fasteners” need to be tightened. Although this may appear to be a major problem, it in fact isn’t. (All Roof Solutions, 2016)
- Copper roofing is at most from £110 and above per square metre, not to mention the labour, material and installation cost which could be from £30,000 and above depending on the size of your roof and its pitch. (Roofingcalc.com, [no date])
- As copper is becoming increasingly popular with homeowners, architects and builders, the costs has been reportedly increasing at a weekly rate, which means although this is an energy efficient and sustainable material to use, it will be extremely expensive and perhaps unaffordable for many in the future. If so this would in effect defeat the whole purpose of sustainable and eco-friendly homes as many would have to go back to square one- the basics of brick & clay tiles and asphalt shingles. This would be a setback.
Further Advantages
- There are said to be available technologies to help slow down or even prevent the copper’s natural process of expansion and contraction.
- This material because of all its advantageous qualities and natural beauty could potentially increase the resale value of your home and building.
- Copper is a sustainable resource as it can be recycled repeatedly, which makes it slightly more eco-friendly than other roofing materials.
Zinc Roofs
This second material is also seen in many of Stockholm’s architecture, typically as the matt black rooftops of the city’s skyline.
Advantages
Metal
Melting Point (degrees Celsius)
Copper 1083
Aluminium 860.3
Iron 1536
Steel 1510
Zinc 420
(Metal information from The Engineering Tool Box, [no date])
Disadvantages
Advantages
- Zinc roofs are highly malleable, more so than copper and can perform well at pitches between 5 and 90 degrees, meaning that it can be fitted exactly over a building envelope, so curved roofs aren’t impossible to have on a building. This is because zinc is quite thin and usually comes in 0.7mm sheets. It has become an architect’s number one material, as it can be shaped to follow curves as well as angles, meaning that the most complex and unique of architectural designs can be made possible. (SIG Design Technology, 2014)
- Zinc is not only used for roofing but in the works of famous architects such as Frank Gehry, it can be used for the entire exterior of a building. However, this is another matter/project for another day.
- Like copper, zinc is weatherproof, non-corrosive, but has an even longer life span of up to 100 years.
- There is a natural coating of patina on the surface of the material, which protects it from moisture, which is why it is non-corrosive. This is turn helps the zinc sheets remain in its original form. (JTC Roofing Contractors LTD, 2013)
- Similar to copper it is a recyclable material; however, this is an inexpensive material as it is cheap to produce. As zinc has a lower melting point, 420 degrees Celsius, than other metals such as copper (1083 degrees Celsius) and iron (1536 degrees Celsius), it takes less energy to produce which makes it much easier and cost efficient to produce making it readily available. (Lenntech, 2016)
Metal
Melting Point (degrees Celsius)
Copper 1083
Aluminium 860.3
Iron 1536
Steel 1510
Zinc 420
(Metal information from The Engineering Tool Box, [no date])
- There are many long-term benefits to zinc, as it is cost effective and in general much cheaper than other materials such a stainless steel and obviously copper. So in terms of money, less is invested into cladding and roofing costs meaning that there is a better return, as well as environmental benefits.
- Less investment, more profit/savings
- There is less money spent on roofing repairs and maintenance. With the use of a black roof, less money is contributed towards heating and the overall energy bills, particularly during the winter, as it is believed that with this material in particular 10%-25% of costs could be saved similar to copper roofing.
- It is said that zinc is “self-healing” meaning that if the metal is scratched over a short period of time the scratch will fade and disappear. (JTC Roofing Contractors LTD, 2013)
- The great thing about zinc is that it is flameproof and therefore fireproof. So if the entire cladding and roof of a building were made from zinc, during extreme heat, fires, and lightening, the building would withstand. In rural Australia and in general the whole country, there are often bushfires, which leave many of the homes as well as the crops and land destroyed. But, with zinc or even copper houses, this could prove to be a shelter of protection and possibly an evacuation centre- a safety house.
- However, with this idea in mind, windows would need to be flame proof as glass is highly flammable, therefore, a solution could be airtight zinc/copper shutters. But then again this would depend on the intensity of the fire and the melting point of the material.
- For more detailed information on the benefits of zinc roofs and cladding please refer to this link http://www.metalconstructionnews.com/articles/magazine-features/benefits-of-zinc-make-it-popular-cladding.aspx
Disadvantages
- Although a non-corrosive material it is said that corrosion can still occur, but from the underside of the metal due to “condensation of moisture”. Therefore, the roof will have to have a protective coating on it underside. (Jones Roofing, 2013)
- For a more detailed explanation and understanding of this, please refer to http://www.jonesroofing.com.au/benefits-disadvantages-zinc-roofing
The Aesthetic Quality
Why are these rooftops so appealing?There's an industrial brutal look to it that just catches our attention, whether or not we like it on the first look eventually we warm up to it becoming one of our favourites. It almost grows in beauty.
Although there is an industrial look to the buildings mainly because of the rooftops, the actual exterior of the buildings have a much softer look. Painted buildings in various colours rather than having a brown brick city. So you don't see poverty in the buildings, but wealth and riches in it, even if it doesn't seem so- it is masked. Maybe this is because I'm used to the houses in the UK and in my opinion, the type of bricks and the state of them determine wealth and poverty and social classes. This is simply an observational theory, which I quite difficult to explain now but is very apparent in the traditional UK homes. Unique look like no other city doesn't feel like a dream or fantasy like the modern high-tech homes, but this skyline feels more real, more believable and somewhat more homely. It's like life and living at face value, there is familiarity and security we feel all based on the exterior of a structure. We don't feel disconnected to it as you would with modern state of the art homes unless you have built this or designed this yourself. The familiarity of tradition is what makes you feel at home when you're in a building or viewing it, it's what makes you appreciate the architectural quality of it in the most unlikely of ways. So basically it is the familiarity of traditional materials that gives a structure, whether old or new, its aesthetic quality as well as deign or even opposed to design. It's about being surrounded by the building, being near it and in it embracing it in the flesh. How would you feel about it then, would you feel connected to it, at home and at ease with it or exposed, uncomfortable, and withdrawn from it- disconnected. I can see characteristics of Disney in each of these buildings, especially with the first two as the dome roof and pointed tower makes it seem quite majestic. It's like the typical building you'd see with stories such as 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame- dated and historic. It's presented as though there is deep misery and doom within the city- a sort of pathetic fallacy illusion created by the black rooftops yet there is fun, adventure and excitement within the city surpassing our expectations especially those who are unfamiliar with the architectural styles of Sweden. It's like a child expecting the worst to happen when unexpectedly they find an enticing magical world beyond the dark. Overall, it gives the city an ancient historical look yet has a modern appeal to it. There is a lot of history behind each building, but collectively there is beauty and the history brings forth a sort of beauty out of the home. With the Stockholm skyline, I like the way the little pockets of copper roofs, now turned patina green are woven through the city skyline of zinc, because it represents tradition, familiarity and evolution without the structures losing it original feel. |
Analysing the Architecture of Stockholm
The contrast of a cream yellow against the black gives a sort of sophistication to the building, which is further emphasised by the simple arched and circle window shapes along with the decorations. The minimalist look of the exterior is achieved effectively and the simplicity gives it a classy look, whilst maintaining the homely and welcoming feel of the house. This is because with such warm and dark colours and the use of common building material, a sense of familiarity is created.
Aristocracy, historicism and a sense of wealth is what comes across when I see the building. This is evident with the exterior of the ground floor as I associate the visible bricks and slightly smaller windows with the workers and servants quarters, especially having watched programmes such as Downton Abbey. |
At this specific angle, the building looks rather 2D and actually is given its 3D element from the glass balconies. It reminds me of the modelling software Sketch Up, when you're first creating a basic house and the square has to be extruded to give it that 3D reality.
I like sandy wallpaper texture of the exterior as well as the colour because whilst the structure achieves a modern look, it still manages to maintain the traditional feel and elements of the city's traditional buildings. |
This specific structure, especially the ceiling, reminds me of the folds in curtains. It looks like a collapsing curtain that has been laid over the building and is falling through and therefore looks animate. Because of this, a sense of claustrophobia is created particularly with the roof structure at different curved angles. I can imagine that if you're walking down a set of straight stairs, that you'd be quite nervous seeing the roof constantly move and change angles from the corner of your eye.
To an extent, I think that this element of fear as well as the roof design itself makes the overall structure exciting and intriguing because no one expects this feeling especially when inside a building. We associate being inside a place with protection and safety- being away from a danger zone, and in a safe haven. I also like the fact that the interior structures of a building could be just as interesting as the exterior, it's quite nice to see that architecture doesn't just stop at the exterior but continues right through to the interior. |