A dramatic curved, copper-clad wall surmounting the new University Sports Hall is the latest addition to Bristol’s skyline.

Designed by NVB Architects, the University of Bristol Centre for Sport, Exercise and Health, located next to the Senate House, is arranged over three levels with the clear span, international standard sports hall at the top. It has been designed to allow natural light to penetrate into the heart of the sports hall, avoiding the artificially lit spaces of many buildings of this type. This is achieved using a curved copper ‘barrel vaulted’ wall with roof-lights helping to reduce the requirement for artificial lighting.

‘Mill finish’ copper was chosen for the distinctive curved ‘barrel’ walls because of its natural patination over time, starting with today’s chocolate brown which complements other materials in the building, then gradually darkening and eventually leading to the distinctive green patina seen on older buildings. The malleable nature of copper and its ability to accommodate virtually any shape were also considered important, and the ‘long-strip’ installation method was used to avoid horizontal joints.