Copper.org: Building and Architecture News

October, 2011 Edition

2011-10-05

When the temperature outside soars above 90 degrees, walking into a building that’s well air-conditioned is a welcome respite. This instant rejuvenation comes with a cost, paid in demand on the electrical supply. In warmer climates, the constant demand for energy during a hot summer’s day require additional “peaking power plants,” to kick in strictly to support the load when air-conditioning demand is at its highest. These plants are less efficient than base power plants, and expensive to build and operate. This and more information...

December, 2010 Edition

2010-12-28

When Habitat for Humanity–St. Louis found vacant property just north of downtown, the construction team wanted to build homes that were not only energy efficient but safe for its new tenants. The nonprofit agency was able to accomplish both by using sustainable materials and installing ecofriendly products, such as tankless water heaters, geo exchange heating and cooling systems, structural insulated panels, white TPO roofs, low (volatile organic compounds) VOC paints and copper fire sprinkler systems. This and more information...

August, 2010 Edition

2010-08-31

For new construction or repairs, copper is still the benchmark for plumbing and heating systems due to its reliability, long life, and overall value. With today’s new joining methods, copper can continue to offer school districts a lifetime of safety and value while cutting down on installation, labor and future repair costs. This and more information...

January, 2010 Edition

2010-01-29

Dangling in the air, dozens of stories on top of the Georgia State Capitol Building to airlift an iconic statue for renovation can be nerve-wracking for the craziest of thrill-seekers. But for Cameron Forbes, it’s just another day in the office. This and more information...

July, 2009 Edition

2009-07-24

Over the past three years, the mammoth MGM Mirage CityCenter project—a 66-acre, $14 billion new construction gamble in the heart of Las Vegas—has played out like a real-life cliffhanger novel.

Its main characters include a Hollywood movie empire, cash-rich Arab sheiks, high-rolling international financiers and some of the world’s biggest casino operators. The project has teetered on the edge of bankruptcy, but with completion now less than a year away, it’s about to pay off.

This and more information...

February, 2009 Edition

2009-02-10

Personal commitment to an idea is a rare commodity in business. So when Thomas S. Monaghan purchased 270 tons of copper sheet metal to roof his dream project—a Catholic university in southwest Florida—he faced a difficult decision when the copper’s value more than doubled within two years.

This and more information...

January, 2008 Edition

2008-01-07

It’s still called a handbook, although some in the building community might refer to it as “the Bible.” And it’s still available in printed form— should anyone still want to order it that way. But over the past two decades, the Copper in Architecture Design Handbook has transformed itself time and again according to the technology of its day. Along with format changes to keep pace with the advent of computers, the content has also seen numerous updates to keep pace with construction and design practices... This and more information...

October, 2007 Edition

2007-10-05

Mankind has been using copper for so long (about 10,000 years) and for so many purposes (ornaments, weapons, building materials, electronic components, etc.) that some might assume we'll soon run out of the stuff. This and more information...