Adrian James Architects has designed a sustainable “habitable power station” in Oxford, named Copper Bottom, featuring a green-patinated copper shell and solar panels to generate more energy than the house consumes.
Sustainable Design Meets Sculptural Form
Copper Bottom, a self-build project by Adrian James for his family, is located on Harcourt Hill in Oxford, surrounded by wildflower meadows. The two-storey house follows a simple cuboid form, covered by a sculptural copper shell that provides shelter and minimizes energy demand. The design aims to achieve a high sustainability benchmark.
“The starting points were a compact form, a roof maximising southerly aspect for solar panels, and an envelope which sheltered the windows from high sun,” James explained. “These primary moves established the basics, then it was a case of sculpting this basic form to create something uplifting and resonant.”
The Origami-Inspired Copper Shell
The defining feature of Copper Bottom is its “origami-esque” shell, which includes an angled roof that cantilevers out to block high summer sun while allowing low winter rays. Creased bulges on the east and west sides of the house create deep reveals for the windows, enhancing energy efficiency.
On top, two “ears” form ventilation stacks to draw in cool air at night and expel hot air accumulated during the day. James described the form as having “subtle hints of something zoomorphic and something mechanistic,” capturing a sense of dynamism.
A Self-Sustaining Power Station
The roof of Copper Bottom features 37 photovoltaic panels, generating more energy than the house requires. The house is zero-carbon in operation and is expected to offset its embodied energy. “The intention is for the house to be a habitable power station – actually something we want all our designs to be,” said James.
The superstructure is made of prefabricated timber panels with lightweight timber trusses supporting a plywood skin. An air-source heat pump reduces the energy demand for water heating, and the focus on airtightness improves energy efficiency.
Material Choices for Durability and Aesthetics
Copper was chosen for its durability, low maintenance, and sustainability. The green-patinated copper was pretreated in a factory to achieve a verdigris finish, harmonising with the surrounding greenery. The interior features white walls, a central double-height gallery space, and a large textured brick feature wall.
The flooring combines large format porcelain tiles on the ground floor with stained oak joinery and flooring upstairs. Large windows offer expansive views of the surrounding countryside and the spires of central Oxford.
Copper Bottom represents a blend of contemporary architectural design, sustainability, and a deep respect for the natural environment.