A striking contemporary rooftop extension clad in Nordic Brown Light copper scalloped panels announces the rejuvenated Aberdeen Art Gallery and reinforces copper’s historic presence on the city’s civic roofscape.

Hoskins Architects’ award-winning scheme incorporated a complete overhaul of the entire listed, late 19th/early 20th century complex. The Nordic Brown Light copper rooftop extension contains a suite of environmentally controlled temporary galleries, as well as much-needed learning and event spaces, providing bold new interiors. These new spaces enable the Gallery to hold large international touring exhibitions with their associated events. The extension also facilitates use of two newly created, outdoor rooftop terraces with spectacular views across Aberdeen.

The extension was designed as a sculptural element, responding to the proportions and colours of the existing granite frontages. It is defined by vertical, scalloped panel facades of Nordic Brown Light pre-oxidised copper – a thoroughly contemporary design but sharing materiality with the buildings’ classical copper dome. Repairs to the dome itself were carried out using Nordic Green pre-patinated copper, complementing the existing historic patination. The Nordic Brown Light copper will also develop naturally over time, responding to the local environment.

The copper panels, including some perforated for transparency, were manufactured by CGL Facades. Nordic Brown Light copper was pressed and rolled to take the scalloped shape, before delivery to site and installation on secret-fix support rails with rose-golden coloured stainless steel cappings. The system forms part of a lightweight construction, minimising extra deadloads onto the existing granite walls below, with steel framing and highly insulated infill.

In 2009 Hoskins Architects won a national competition for the redevelopment and expansion of the category A listed Aberdeen Art Gallery. The Gallery, Cowdray Hall and War Memorial complex has a significant presence within the city and houses an exceptional collection, particularly of Scottish Colourists and contemporary artists.

Awarded Planning Permission in 2014, Hoskins Architects’ proposals involve various alterations to improve the visitor experience, tackling access from the street and public circulation, improving visitor services and increasing display areas. The new copper-clad rooftop extension is a symbol for the Art Gallery’s rejuvenation, and creates a striking presence for the Gallery within the City. Designed as a new sculptural element in response to the proportions of the existing frontage, the extension achieves the client’s ambitions to create a world-class venue for art and music. The extension makes use of the outdoor rooftop terraces by offering spectacular views across Aberdeen. The space contains a suite of new environmentally controlled temporary galleries, as well as much-needed learning and event spaces, providing bold new interiors that will engage and inspire visitors. These new spaces provide the Gallery with the ability to accommodate large international touring exhibitions with their associated education and corporate events. The project completed in October 2019.