Natural stone for architects – the obvious choice

For architects, the choice of building materials on offer today is both exciting and confusing in equal measure! So, with all the man-made options available, why should today’s architects consider including natural stone in their designs?

Natural stone – the lasting choice

In this article, we’ll look at the popularity of natural stone with the architects of some of today’s most ambitious building projects. Also, we’ll show how Stamford Stone can help architects transform their plans into a finished building – with beautiful natural stone sourced from our own UK-based quarries.

Natural stone for architects

Natural stone can add a special touch to literally any building project. It works equally well with classically inspired designs and cutting-edge innovations. What’s more, the almost infinite variety of colours and textures mean that every piece of natural stone is totally unique.

For example, our own UK-quarried natural limestone was formed around 165 million years ago. Its distinct patterns make it a very popular natural stone for architects. It adds warmth and character to any design project, great or small.

As a naturally occurring material, stone also has a relatively low environmental impact. This is especially true if you use locally quarried natural stone. This means you avoid the environmental (and real) cost of transporting it over long distances. In addition, natural stone is also amazingly robust and extremely low maintenance. Plus, its natural good looks even improve with age!

Another benefit of natural stone for architects is that our expert team can cut it to any size to suit your design requirements. Importantly, this allows for almost infinite flexibility which you simply can’t achieve with most other construction materials.

At Stamford Stone, we’re not just experienced in the supply of architectural stone. We’re also used to working in close partnership with architects to help turn their design visions into reality.

Expert architectural services at the ready

We don’t just operate our own UK-based quarries and supply beautiful natural limestone. We also offer a wide range of specialist architectural services. So, whether you’re designing a new build from scratch, an extension to an existing property, or a conservation project, let us help.

Why not make use of our extensive experience of stone construction? We can support you with feasibility assessments, CAD work, planning applications, working drawings and 3D-visuals. What’s more, our approach is totally flexible. If you need us to take a lead in the process, rest assured we’ll be up to the job. But if you’ve got most things covered and just need a bit of support here and there, we can help too.

The University Arms Hotel in Cambridge is a shining example of how our collaboration with architects reaps rewards – and stunning results! We worked closely with the architects and construction company to deliver on this ambitious hotel renovation project.

Other recent projects involving natural stone for architects

At Stamford Stone, we’ve built our reputation on providing beautiful natural stone for architects for a wide range of building and restoration projects. Here are a few recent examples we’re especially proud of…

Nazrin Shah Centre, Worcester College, Oxford.

Located at the heart of Oxford’s historic city centre, home to a wealth of listed buildings, this is one of our most ambitious projects to date. We proposed masonry-grade Clipsham limestone as it is a feature of many of the historic buildings nearby. Its naturally varied striations and rough surface were just what the architects wanted for this striking building.

Self Build, Scraptoft, Leicestershire.

This self-build project is a Stamford Stone success through and through – from the foundation aggregate to the Clipsham limestone walling and exterior limestone paving slabs. Inside, the Stamford Stone theme continues, with limestone flooring and fireplaces.

Church of King Charles the Martyr, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire.

We used 500 square metres of our Audbourn natural stone flooring in this major church renovation project. Natural stone lends itself beautifully to church settings, and we think the finished results speak for themselves.

How can we help you?

If you’re an architect, why not get in touch to discuss your next design project? Give us a call, drop into our showroom, or request a sample. We look forward to hearing from you.