Two New Ludgate Portland Stone Feature Wall
[edit] stoneCIRCLE manufacture for award winning project
[edit]
The New Ludgate scheme consists of two buildings nestled between St Paul’s Cathedral and Ludgate Circus. It has won the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) top prize for Commercial Office Building of the Year 2016 and the City of London Building of the Year Award and is shortlisted for the NLA Office Building of the Year Award.
Two New Ludgate is a £260 million development by Land Securities, the UK’s largest commercial property developer. It provides 193,000 sq ft of Grade A office accommodation and 7,500 sq ft of prime retail space. Two architectural firms were involved Sauerbruch Hutton designed the building and Fletcher Priest designed One New Ludgate and oversaw the scheme.
The main reception for Two New Ludgate has a feature wall in Portland Stone. The curved wall is 8m high and 30m in length. Putney & Wood, the stone contractor’s in-house designers used CAD to detail every stone before creating a visual representation of each elevation. A 3D model was then created as a final check before production. stoneCIRCLE was one of 3 firms involved in manufacturing the frieze and they used the latest CNC processing machinery alongside 3D modelling to ensure pinpoint accuracy. The stones had to be sanded by hand after manufacture to remove machining marks.
Once on site, Putney & Wood’s installation team aligned each textured panel before mechanically fixing them. This was further complicated because the joints flowed with the vertical curvature formation of carved stone panels, while maintaining a consistent 3mm width. The result is a stunning, homogenous effect which has to be seen to be fully appreciated.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Key points for construction at a glance with industry reactions.
Functionality, visibility and sustainability
The simpler approach to specification.
Architects, architecture, buildings, and inspiration in film
The close ties between makers and the movies, with our long list of suggested viewing.
SELECT three-point plan for action issued to MSPs
Call for Scottish regulation, green skills and recognition of electrotechnical industry as part of a manifesto for Scottish Parliamentary elections.
UCEM becomes the University of the Built Environment
Major milestone in its 106-year history, follows recent merger with London School of Architecture (LSE).
Professional practical experience for Architects in training
The long process to transform the nature of education and professional practical experience in the Architecture profession following recent reports.
A people-first approach to retrofit
Moving away from the destructive paradigm of fabric-first.
International Electrician Day, 10 June 2025
Celebrating the role of electrical engineers from André-Marie Amperè, today and for the future.
New guide for clients launched at Houses of Parliament
'There has never been a more important time for clients to step up and ...ask the right questions'
The impact of recycled slate tiles
Innovation across the decades.
EPC changes for existing buildings
Changes and their context as the new RdSAP methodology comes into use from 15 June.
Skills England publishes Sector skills needs assessments
Priority areas relating to the built environment highlighted and described in brief.
BSRIA HVAC Market Watch - May 2025 Edition
Heat Pump Market Outlook: Policy, Performance & Refrigerant Trends for 2025–2028.
Committing to EDI in construction with CIOB
Built Environment professional bodies deepen commitment to EDI with two new signatories: CIAT and CICES.
Government Grenfell progress report at a glance
Line by line recomendation overview, with links to more details.
An engaging and lively review of his professional life.
Sustainable heating for listed buildings
A problem that needs to be approached intelligently.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson apprentice award
Deadline for entries has been extended to Friday 27 June, so don't miss out!
CIAT at the London Festival of Architecture
Designing for Everyone: Breaking Barriers in Inclusive Architecture.
Mixed reactions to apprenticeship and skills reform 2025
A 'welcome shift' for some and a 'backwards step' for others.