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Sandstone is a perfect and suitable material to be shaped from the imagineering of Australian Architects and Landscape Architects for commercial and residential sandstone projects.

COMMERCIAL SANDSTONE PROJECTS & ARCHITECTURAL OPTIONS FOR CNC PROFILED SANDSTONE CLADDING

Australian Sandstone can be cut and fashioned into an infinite array of finishes, from smooth and curvature to split and textured.

Sandstone Finishes’ are characterised by the texture or machine work done on the surface of the sandstone when it is shaped (profiled). 

Hence, the origin of the industry term was ‘profiled sandstone’.  

In reality, any texture is possible on the surface of the sandstone.  Many of the CNC profiled designs we receive and execute could not have been achieved by any other material, testifying to the versatility of sandstone.

SANDSTONE AS A CLADDING MATERIAL FOR COMMERCIAL PROJECTS

Considering other cladding materials, many feature over-engineering from manufacture to processing and the product’s shaping.

A case in point would be concrete cladding material. 

Concrete is a non-natural material involving chemicals and a surplus of energy in its production.  Concrete cladding is potentially far more harmful to the environment in these respects and can subsequently be subject to concrete cancer as it ages.

As a cladding material in commercial sandstone projects, sandstone has minimal environmental impact. 

From extraction to processing, there is a small carbon imprint featuring a low environmental impact from quarrying to raw processing and finer sandstone profiling.

Sandstone is 100% recyclable. It is also a timeless material, as many historical buildings remain a testament to our major cities, built and clad in sandstone.

Gosford Quarries also have rehabilitation programs to ensure our extraction sites are honoured and returned to a natural state.  We are singularly dedicated to environmental care.

SANDSTONE AS THE PERFECT DESIGN MATERIAL OF CHOICE FOR COMMERCIAL PROJECTS

Any architect or landscape architect drawing or design can be executed to the surface of sandstone in the same way as conceived; the same sandstone finish they have specified (or at times CREATED as in nominating shapes of a specific type not seen previously in formal design).

In Australia, Gosford Quarries has the leading sandstone technology to profile sandstone to any dimension (dimension stone), size and sandstone finish.  This is known in the industry as CNC Sandstone Profiling Technologies.

Historically, banker stonemasons shaped sandstone manually when no CNC profiling machines existed.  Sandstone shaped manually is known as ‘carved sandstone’.

Carved sandstone is still a bespoke product that is executed by hand at our factories today.

Gosford Quarries uses a variety of industry-leading stone masons who innovate the sandstone finishes that inspire Australian Architects’ imaginations.

Sandstone is a unique cladding solution as it’s available in a range of beautiful tones and has an unparalleled variety of textures that can be nominated to complement any design and space.

Gosford Quarries Sandstone

SANDSTONE CLADDING AND CURVED CLADDING IN COMMERCIAL SANDSTONE PROJECTS

Sandstone Cladding is also known as sandstone tiles, sandstone veneer, and sandstone facade. The intent of the descriptor by the professional determines the name. However, they are all the same physical product.

Modern Australian Architecture and the integration of sandstone in design are seeing more architects nominate CNC-profiled Sandstone Finishes to execute striking and beautiful building shapes and their ‘skinning’ in architectural design.

Curvate or curved and profiling sandstone walling is becoming a stand-out feature in award-winning nationwide designs.

Incredibly eye-catching feature walls, artistic profiled facades and grand sandstone columns are possible in any configuration architects envision.

FEATURED PROJECT: COMMERCIAL SANDSTONE IN THE HARBORD DIGGERS ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

Gosford Quarries works alongside talented Australian architects to discuss the parameters and opportunities of using Australian sandstone in their designs. One example is the Harbord Diggers Club, designed by the team at Chorfi Architecture.

We sat down with Adam Iversthe Marketing and BD Manager at Chofri Architecture, and asked a few questions about the project and the various elements of sandstone used in its design.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE AUSTRALIAN SANDSTONE FOR THE HARBORD DIGGERS PROJECT?

Australian sandstone was an obvious choice when developing a material palate for the Harbord Diggers.

This decision was generated by a headland vernacular approach to the site. The project is on one of the city’s iconic headlands, surrounded by spectacular coastal sandstone formations and textured by the native coastal landscape.

“The headland landscape extends across the courtyard to amplify the scenic quality of the precinct while a pair of sandstone buildings rise above as sculptural counterpoints with flowing forms to frame coastal views from the apartments… A civic scaled veranda merged into the contour of the headland with juxtaposed vertical stone counterpoints above combine to create a powerful composition, this is the New Harbord Diggers.”

— Tai Ropiha - CHROFI ARCHITECTS

WHAT IS THE VALUE OF SANDSTONE AS COMMERCIAL CLADDING, AND WHAT PROPERTIES DOES SANDSTONE BRING AS A NATURAL STONE CLADDING MATERIAL?

Commercial Sandstone Cladding is:

  • Natural

  • Robust

  • Maintenance free 

  • Durability

  • Appearance

  • Strength

  • Quality

The outcome of the sandstone cladding blends fantastically into the coastal environment, complimenting the surrounding tones and materials and continuing the landscaping language throughout the development. 

WHERE WAS THE STONE FEATURED IN THE PROJECT, AND WHY DID SANDSTONE WORK IN THIS INSTANCE?

The material palette was developed in response to its coastal location, focusing on natural materials and craftsmanship.

Sandstone is featured throughout the majority of the development, both on the interior and exterior, injecting an exciting balance of soft tones and organic material.

Due to the skylight above the sandstone cut, natural daylight will wash this surface. The penetration of natural sunlight will be harnessed and brought deep into the space using materials and surfaces such as the pool to reflect light and movement within; at night, the rock is lit and resonates a unique quality of light. 

The façade treatment across the buildings, 50mm sandstone cladding, is designed for a minimum lifespan of 50 years. It is anchored in place with marine-grade stainless steel pins and aluminium fixings to avoid corrosion.

Learning from the previous venue, material maintenance and hardiness were heavily factored into the final selections. 

WHAT MADE SANDSTONE A CONTEMPORARY CHOICE AND WHAT CHALLENGES WERE ENCOUNTERED IN REALISING THE PROJECT?

Reconciling the visual impact of the development upon the headland was one of the obstacles encountered. Significant parts of the building program remain exposed, particularly from the north, where the headland can be appreciated in its entirety. From this aspect, the larger building forms are too tall to be mediated by the landscape.

The largest and most prominent building form is re-worked as a pair of sculptural features to sit as vertical sandstone counterpoints to the horizontal heath-covered landform to contribute to architectural interest in the appreciation of the headland.

DID GOSFORD QUARRIES EXPERTS HELP, SUPPORT, OR HAVE ANY INPUT?

GQ experts were extremely helpful and supportive throughout the delivery of the project. No, we did not use the in-house design service.

DID YOU USE OUR IN-HOUSE DESIGN SERVICES?

GQ experts were extremely helpful and supportive throughout the delivery of the project. No, we did not use the in-house design service.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE GENERALLY TO DEAL WITH GOSFORD QUARRIES?

Working with Gosford Quarries was great; our contact was very knowledgeable of the product, easy to contact and went over and above to help.

HAVE YOU BEEN NOMINATED OR HAVE WON ANY AWARDS FOR THE HARBORD DIGGERS PROJECT?

Yes! We WON:

  • 2021 NSW AIA, Award for Residential, Multiple Housing

  • 2021 NSW AIA Award for Urban Design 

  • 2018 The Urban Developer Award, Mixed Use category

— Tai Ropiha - CHROFI ARCHITECTS

HAVE YOU NOMINATED GOSFORD QUARRIES SANDSTONE FOR ANY OTHER PROJECTS (COMPLETED OR UPCOMING)?

We have nominated Gosford Quarries Sandstone for the supply of stone at the North Head Viewing Platforms in Manly.

THE ADVANTAGES OF CNC PROFILED SANDSTONE USED IN COMMERCIAL SANDSTONE PROJECTS

Sandstone’s versatility as a material is myriad in features.

Sandstone’s strong feature is its fire-safe rating, which meets all legal and technical requirements for building façades. This is crucial in commercial projects.

“For architects, sandstone is appealing in the customisability of cutting exactly to architectural drawings and specs.  There is incredible accuracy and precision available with CNC machines and the latest sandstone technology.”

— Tai Ropiha - CHROFI ARCHITECTS

In fact, as an architect is visioneering, prototypes of sandstone designs can be made to scale to ensure precision and design are met with the exact specifications of the architect.

GOSFORD QUARRIES – PREMIER SANDSTONE SUPPLIER FOR AUSTRALIAN COMMERCIAL PROJECTS

“Gosford Quarries also have tours of our facilities and technology available at our quarries and workshops.  Commercial entities and architects are welcome to book individually tailored tours to grasp further and understand how cutting-edge technology can execute an architect’s vision.”

— Tai Ropiha - CHROFI ARCHITECTS

Gosford Quarries Sandstone

As a local company, our size and capability offer faster lead times and conflict resolution for commercial projects.  Our sandstone experts are available for quotes. 

Gosford Quarries is a trust-worthy sandstone supply company celebrating its 100th Anniversary. We are the Sandstone experts, giving you peace of mind in terms of capability, lead times, expert advice, and post-sale customer service.

Gosford Quarries also offers support for tendering for commercial projects.  We can work with you to help with the design suitability you envision and the sandstone specification for any scale project.

Choose Gosford Quarries Sandstone

Call us on 02 8585 8282 to discuss your next commercial sandstone project, book a quarry tour, or speak to one of our dedicated CNC sandstone profiling technology experts.

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