2016 Natural Stone Awards
Great Britain has a fantastic tradition, especially within the heritage building sector, of using stone local to a project. Hundreds of churches, cathedrals and historic monuments up and down the British Isles were created from stone quarried close to the site, helping create a unique local aesthetic, something commented on by The Right Honourable Michael Portillo in his address at the 2016 Natural Stone Awards. This tradition is one that has been continued as these buildings require repair or maintenance work and heritage architects endeavour to use the original stone or an alternative quarried close by.
Stone Federation’s technical helpline receives a large number of enquiries from architects and clients looking to source stone similar to the original as, in some cases, the quarries are no longer in operation. What is encouraging is that in almost all cases, these queries lead to the use of an alternative British stone, thus continuing the tradition and supporting our indigenous quarries. Through a well-established network of industry experts, the British stone industry has, on the whole, managed to avoid losing these projects to imported, and arguably, unsuitable alternative stones.
It was encouraging to see Historic England as one of the main sponsors for the 2016 Natural Stone Awards. Clara Willett, Senior Architectural Conservator at Historic England commented at the Awards that “Historic England feel its really important to support events like The Natural Stone Awards because the quality of craftsmanship, the care in selecting natural, indigenous stones and selecting suitable replacement stone is so important in supporting and looking after our historic buildings.“
The Natural Stone Awards are also a good indicator of the state of the industry and it was encouraging to see that in the 2016 awards, 100% of the stone used on the winning, highly commended and commended projects in the Repair and Restoration category was British stone. The winning project, the Wimpole Gothic Tower project in Cambridgeshire saw the structure repaired and stabilised for the next 200 years while maintaining the weathered beauty of the tower. The choice of stone, namely Barrington Clunch, came as a result of research undertaken by the principal stone contactor and English Heritage. The Awards judges felt that this was “…an exemplary way to carry out this kind of restoration.”
2017 will see one of the Federation’s other sector focussed initiatives, Stone Heritage, launched to the sector. This group will have strong links with the Quarry Forum thanks to the significant part British stone has to play in the repair, restoration and conservation of our island’s historic buildings and monuments.
If you’re undertaking a heritage project and want to explore the options that British stone can provide you with, take a look at the stone sourcing tool on the Stone federation website: http://bit.ly/BritStone.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
IHBC NewsBlog
IHBC London Branch Conference launched and open for booking
‘Creative Conservation: Partnerships and Public Value’ - 4 Oct, Royal College of Physicians - leading speakers, unequalled debate - a CPD opportunity not to be missed!
IHBC latest Jobs etc skills review
Specialist areas and skills in demand, from design and project management to regulation and more featured in our celebrated – and very cost-effective - IHBC Jobs etc service.
Ideas bear fruit, as early career members ‘reverse mentor’, generating fresh perspectives on the institute’s future plans and structures!
IHBC Scotland at Listed Property Show in Edinburgh
IHBC Scotland will host a CPD session at the Show on 27 October, while an IHBC stand will offer more informal access and conservation advocacy to visitors.
IHBC Heritage from the doorstep
A traditional building in the Appleby Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) is filming its ‘work in progress’ as part of work grant aided by Historic England as reported by Cumbria Crack!
English Heritage celebrates the Cooper Car with a blue plaque.
A blue plaque has been placed at the home of the former Cooper Car Company, marking its motoring heritage.
Community Tree Planting Grants and £1.5million woodland fund look to make London the world’s first National Park City.
‘What if mothers or teenagers designed our cities?’ An opinion piece in the invites us to consider what our cities would look like if cities reflected their diverse populations.
V&A Dundee opens Saturday 15 Sept
IHBC NewsBlogs reports on some building construction and collection highlights, including spectacular drone footage of work in progress and to completion.
IHBC supports LPOC petition on VAT reductions for Listed Buildings
LPOC notes ‘...it is perverse that repairs should be subject to VAT when new development is not'.
Loyd Grossman recently appeared on a BBC radio programme to discuss NIMBYism in heritage and development, the programme is currently available on BBC iPlayer.
Call to share land value with communities
England’s SoS for Housing, Communities and Local Government is sent an open letter by leading campaign organisations calling for land value to be shared.
Redrock Stockport wins 2018 Carbuncle Cup
The 2018 winner of the Carbuncle Cup is Redrock Stockport, a £45m leisure complex and car park designed by BDP for the local council.