Dudley Evolve

Nordic Brown / Nordic Light Brown / Nordic Standard Dudley College’s aspiration for a bold contemporary building which respects its historic town Centre context is realized with completion of Dudley Evolve, characterized by horizontal copper panels from Nordic Copper. Metz Architects’ design is a thoroughly modern building, civic in character and acknowledging its prominent position. It aims to provide an exciting, stimulating learning environment and act as a landmark - not just to inspire students but also as a demonstrable statement of confidence in Dudley, its regeneration and future. The focal point of the scheme is a cantilevered theatre auditorium, clad in bands of randomly arranged horizontal copper panels with three different surfaces. In addition to Nordic Standard mill finish copper, Architectural, supplied panels in Nordic Brown and Nordic Brown Light, both pre-oxidized at its factory to give straightaway the same oxidized surface that otherwise develops over time in the environment. The thickness of the oxide layer determines its colour: either Nordic Brown Light or the darker Nordic Brown.