Copper doesn’t just make cents

The surge in copper prices has recently lead to thefts of this red metal all over the world. Gutter, cables, coils or pipes have been ripped off buildings and they are sold on the black markets. These thieves are only interested in financial gain but architects are using copper more and more, not for just practical purposes but also for its aesthetic allure. Let’s have a look!

Happo Museum – Tshwane, South Africa

Hapo Museum (hapo = hope or dream in the Khoi language) was designed by GAPP, Mashabane Rose Architects and MMA to showcase over 3 billions years of history in South Africa. The building complex is clad with copper panels which are meant to age naturally. “With walls and roof all clad in copper sheeting, the outcrop will rust to green and merge with the natural landscape.” state the architects.

Fujitsubo Beauty Parlor – Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo’s trendy Omotesando district has an incredible parlor Fujitsubo (“barnacle” in Japenese) Beauty Parlor. Japenese Archivision Hirotani Studio built it with a great example of copper cladding continuously from rooftop to the ground. It is bright and reflective and supposed to age incrementally to degrees dependent on amounts of sunlight and rain received at different areas of the structure.

Fujitsubo Beauty Parlor, Japan

The Rock at Wellington International Airport – Wellington, New Zealand

This “Rock” was designed by Studio Pacific Architecture. They wanted to combine functionality and capacity that should become a memorable visitor experience at the airpoirt. The rock’s folded copper-clad walls are intended to invoke the character of Wellington’s South Coast area.

Wellington’s Rock, New Zealand

There are even more copper buildings like Villa ArenA Woonmall Restaurant – Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Schloss Grafenegg Concert Hall – Grafenegg Castle, Austria, Svalbard Science Centre – Longyearbyen, Norway and others.

Villa Arena, Netherlands

Schloss Grafenegg Concert Hall, Austria

Svalbard Science Centre, Norway

You can find more about copper products on Shanghai Metal Corporation’s website or send us inquiry. Our English speaking personnel will gladly help you with any problems. We will be happy if you follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LindkedIn. You could also download our new application by scanning QR code below.

 

 

 

 

 

Silvia M.//SMC Editor

You can find more articles written by this author here.

Credits : weburbanist.com, inhabitat.com, copperinvestingnews.com, archdaily.com, googleimages

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Sculptures That You Need To Look At Twice

We have seen the famous ones; the statue of liberty, the thinking man, Christ the Redeemer. But, these artists have though outside the box with their creations – take a look:

The Caring Hand by Eva Oertli and Beat Huber [Glarus, Switzerland]

Diminish and Ascend by David McCracken [Bondi, Australia]

Cartoon Sculpture by Neil Dawson [New Zealand]

Shanghai Metal Corporation manufactures the Corten Carbon Steel used to make statues. As an ISO 14001 (International Quality Management System) Company and recipient of the “Star Enterprise Award,” Shanghai Metal Corporation prides itself on exceeding international standards of quality and reliability. We guarantee the best prices, quality support, and fast delivery. To find out more, please visit our Website or send your inquiry here. Follow us on  LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel. Or you could try our new mobile app by scanning our QR code.

Sources: Bored Panda, Your Amazing Places, Distractify

Siobhan R.// SMC Editor

Read more articles by this author here.

 

#BuildingValueAcrossTheGlobe

New Zealand & ‘Number 8’ Wire

A little known fact unknown outside of this group of islands is the cultural importance that galvanized steel wire has to the small South-pacific nation of New Zealand. In this country of just over Four Million People the locals are said to be bought up on a number 8 wire mentality. That is to say that a New Zealander (or Kiwi) is adaptable, innovative and with a piece of number 8 wire can fix just about anything.

So where does this term come from? Number 8 wire was a standard British gauge of wire which was used extensively throughout New Zealand for a multitude of purposes; primarily for fencing and within the agricultural industry. It has since been replaced (along with the imperial system of measurement) with the equivalent metric 4mm gauge but the spirit of term and mentality of New Zealanders still lives on as you can see below; where creative and patriotic New Zealanders such as this Morrinsville farmer, Mr Tony Gray have found a niche use for the wire in a more artistic context.

Ironically the vast majority of such wire was and is imported into New Zealand and this trend continues today this is not dissimilar to the iconic New Zealand ‘Kiwifruit’ which is in fact of Chinese origin. Shanghai Metal Corporation manufactures Galvanized steel wire in any number of customizable thicknesses making it suitable for any number of purposes and applications. To find out more or see how we can customize this material to your requirements your can visit our website here.

Furthermore to continue reading industry and product related articles you can follow us on Facebook, WordPress, Tumblr, Twitter & Linkedin. Or by using your smart device, scan the QR code below!

Dominick F.//SMC Editor

Sources:100% PureNZ; MotorbikeHolidays; Waikato Times

The Solution for Overcrowded Prisons – Container Jails

Shipping containers are made to be durable. Because of their strength they are also an ideal building material that can be used to build safe homes. Actually, the safety level of shipping containers is so high that they can be used also to build prisons.

In Australia’s Victoria, the local government is establishing a prison system made out of containers. The plan is to set up 50 containers for a hundred prisoners until Christmas. Victoria is an area of overcrowded prisons, and therefore containers bring an excellent solution for the problem. Australia is also planning to apply the same solution in other areas as well.

Victoria’s prisons are meant for medium-security prisoners. The next question could be, taken the fact that shipping containers are as they are, how can one increase their security level? Modifying the prisons environment would be the only option. Setting up an Alcatraz style prison in the middle of an area of water area would work.  That is actually something that can be implemented with containers.

The idea of floating container recreation centers is being implemented in Europe. The city of London is planning to construct a village of shipping containers on the River Thames. The 15-acre site would have 50 homes, cafes, bars and restaurants. They have also implemented some smaller scale projects in the Netherlands.

Whether it is container apartments or just tools for shipping goods, Shanghai Metal Corporation can offer the solution. We sell premium shipping containers that can be used according to clients’ preferences. To know more about our containers, please visit our website. Also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Try also downloading our mobile application by scanning the QR code below.

Tuomas P. // SMC Editor

Pictures and original articles: Rawlinsons.co.nz, Sourceable.net, Theage.com.au, Abc.net.au, Asiapacific.anu.edu.au, Greenbiz.com, Daily Mail, Odt.co.nz