Bronze Cladding
Architectural bronze cladding encompasses copper-tin and copper-silicon alloys used for premium facade systems, spandrel panels, column covers, and decorative architectural elements. Silicon bronze (UNS C65500, ~96% Cu, 3% Si) is the preferred alloy for modern architectural cladding due to its superior corrosion resistance, excellent formability, and warm golden-brown patina development. Phosphor bronze (UNS C51000, ~95% Cu, 5% Sn) and aluminium bronze (UNS C63000, ~82% Cu, 10% Al) are used for specialised applications requiring higher strength or marine-grade corrosion resistance. Bronze cladding develops a distinctive warm brown patina that darkens over decades, distinct from copper's green verdigris, providing a living aesthetic that connects buildings to their temporal context. The material is non-combustible (Euroclass A1), fully recyclable, and offers exceptional longevity exceeding 100 years with minimal maintenance.
- Rainscreen facade cladding
- Spandrel and column cladding
- Monumental and heritage architecture
- Interior feature elements
- Perforated screening and sun shading
Bronze (copper-tin alloy) is one of humanity's oldest engineered materials, giving its name to the Bronze Age (c. 3300-1200 BCE). Architectural use of bronze dates to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, with monumental applications including the Colossus of Rhodes (c. 280 BCE) and Roman temple doors. The Renaissance saw exceptional bronze work by Ghiberti (Florence Baptistery doors, 1425-1452) and Donatello. Industrial-era bronze cladding emerged in the late 19th century with American skyscrapers, notably the Wainwright Building (1891) and later the Seagram Building (1958) with its iconic bronze I-beam mullions by Mies van der Rohe. Post-war developments introduced silicon bronze alloys (developed 1930s-1940s) that became the standard for architectural applications due to superior corrosion resistance and lower cost than tin bronze. Contemporary notable projects include the de Young Museum, San Francisco (2005, perforated copper-bronze panels by Herzog & de Meuron), One New Change, London (2010, bronze mesh by Jean Nouvel), and 56 Leonard Street, New York (2017, bronze-anodised aluminium by Herzog & de Meuron). In Australia, bronze cladding appears on premium commercial and institutional projects including heritage restoration work and contemporary mixed-use developments.
DISCLAIMER: This specification document is generated from the CLAD Materials Atlas Database. Information is for general guidance only and does not constitute professional engineering advice. Values are typical and may vary by batch, manufacturer, and production run. Verify suitability for specific project applications independently.