KME Germany GmbH & Co. KG featured in Archello’s list of the 25 best metal cladding manufacturers. KME offers a wide range of exceptional copper and copper alloy product solutions for roofing, cladding, gutters, and downpipes. The company’s TECU® Gold aluminum alloy roof and facade cladding panels provide a striking natural surface finish. Designer Maurice Mentjens chose to work with TECU® Gold as part of an eye-catching museum renovation project.
A gold-clad reliquary
In the city of Weert in the south-eastern Netherlands, the renovation of the Gemeentemuseum Weert — Museum W — by designer Maurice Mentjens includes a shiny new face. Museum W is located in Weert’s former town hall. The oldest parts of the building date back to the mid-16th century — however, its present-day appearance is the result of a major restoration in 1913 in the Renaissance Revival architectural style. The museum underwent a further renovation between 2019 and 2021 when a partially new extension was built at the rear of the building and clad with a golden facade. Museum W’s collection includes many religious pieces, something that inspired Maurice Mentjens when thinking about the renovation: “Museums are the holy places of our present-day secularized society and works of art are the relics of every culture. These are preserved for posterity in museums,” he says. “Based on this premise, we conceived the idea of designing the rear facade of the museum to resemble a gold-clad reliquary in which relics of the holy are housed.”
Tecu® Gold
“We chose Tecu® Gold because this material always remains gold in color and does not turn brown like brass,” says Mentjens. “Moreover, Tecu® Gold ages much better than gold-anodized aluminum.”
Michael Giebler, a project consultant at KME, describes TECU® Gold: “TECU® Gold is a fascinating copper-aluminum alloy for roof and facade cladding. The original golden color of the surface mattes after processing on the object and develops into an impressive golden-brown patina when exposed to the weather. Architects and designers can use TECU® Gold to create unique, warm gold-colored surfaces that are reminiscent of precious metals and leave a lasting impression.”
A golden facade
The TECU® Gold panels used on the Museum W extension are one millimeter in thickness — sheets are folded at the edges to increase rigidity and stability. A 20-millimeter-thick hard-pressed insulation panel is glued behind each TECU® Gold panel. TECU® Gold is made from CuAl5 copper-aluminum alloy which is high in strength and corrosion-resistant.
The facade shutters on Museum W are fixed in place due to financial constraints (only the new entrance door can be opened and closed). The design of the shutters very much enhances the overall aesthetic value of the building and adds a certain element of intrigue — 40-millimeter-wide seams between the shutters give the impression they can be opened and closed. The addition of two screens, showing art videos and providing information on current museum exhibitions, further augment the facade’s visual appeal. Moreover, the large windows offer a glimpse of what the building holds in-store for visitors.
New and old in harmony
The use of a gold-colored facade as part of a historic building might raise more than a few eyebrows. However, the combination of the facade’s accurate detailing and professional execution ensured its glossy appearance, adjacent to the original heritage building, did not raise too many concerns. “Even though there were some opponents to the plans in the beginning, mainly from the population of Weert, the golden facade has improved the environment enormously,” says Mentjens. “This was previously an insignificant corner — five transformer houses, i.e. five ugly steel doors with air grilles, were, fortunately, moved to an adjacent building.” He continues: “Everything was coordinated with the Monuments Committee of the municipality of Weert, the province, and especially the National Cultural Heritage Agency. Thankfully, all committee members were enthusiastic about the design concept and proposed use of TECU® Gold.”
The striking image of TECU® Gold facade cladding will affect the mood and ambience surrounding a building. Michael Giebler believes this is the case in terms of Museum W and describes several possible effects:
“Elegance and prestige: the golden facade gives the building a luxurious and noble appearance. Passers-by and visitors may perceive this as a sign of prestige and exclusivity.
Artistic expression: The unconventional facade cladding can be interpreted as an artistic statement. It attracts attention and encourages reflection.
Light reflection: Gold reflects light in a special way. Depending on the time of day and sunlight, the facade can shimmer and shine. This can create a positive, inviting atmosphere.
Cultural references: Gold has historical and cultural significance. It can evoke past eras and create a link to art and history.”
Aging and sustainability
The cladding’s finish will acquire a matte effect with age, though it will “remain golden with a slight sparkle,” says Mentjens. “Around five years ago we visited the Icon Museum in the German city of Recklinghausen — it was twelve years old at that time and looked very beautiful. This made us decide to use Tecu® Gold.”
“With Museum W, the golden facade is reminiscent of a reliquary that connects the past with the present,” says Michael Giebler. “The TECU® Gold, with its natural, adaptable, and unique aging properties, emphasizes the architect's design concept and also the general idea of a reliquary.”
TECU® Gold is 100 percent recyclable and fulfills high performance standards. “TECU® stands for a combination of high quality and comprehensive service,” says Giebler. “KME supports planners, architects, building owners, and processors worldwide with its technical application consulting service.”
TECU® Gold provides a sustainable choice for both roof and facade cladding:
TECU® products are made from copper and copper alloys using 100 percent recycled material.
Products are certified as environmentally friendly according to environmental labels ISO 14025 and EN 158041.
The material’s natural patina contributes to longevity and sustainability.
Thinking back on the project, Mentjens believes that Tecu® Gold was the very best choice — “I certainly wouldn't do it differently now,” he says.
