This contemporary cottage, built in a stunning seashore location on the Lyngen peninsula – a protected heritage area well within the Arctic Circle and one of Norway's National Parks – is defined by its respect for nature and restrained material palette of Nordic Green copper clad walls and roofs, seamless glazing and timber.

Although one of our oldest building materials, traditionally covering the domes and spires of our city skylines, copper also offers limitless possibilities for contemporary architectural design. The numerous natural surfaces and alloys available today, deployed in various forms and systems, give copper timeless qualities, particularly suited to juxtaposition with historic buildings. Here, copper specialist Aurubis explores how innovative architects optimise the potential of this intriguing material.