Flexible Architectural Stone rivals Cast stone and Quarried Architectural Stone

SYTEX UK Ltd     

Britain once led the world with stunning architecture, demonstrating the wealth and sophistication of the nation as well as the technical skills of our artisans. Grand examples still stand the test of time and are part of our cultural heritage being some of the most famous landmarks in the world.

This historic building in London was to be substantially extended and required the existing period features to be faithfully reproduced.

Here SYTEX has reproduced the original features which were applied to the rendered building after construction

In recent years, with economic pressure ever increasing, the trend has been inevitably to eliminate the decorative in favour of the practical as ‘the bottom line’ in any project takes on a greater and greater significance. The result has been to see so many of the details that characterize a building, sacrificed and we are presented with countless examples of plain, non descript constructions devoid of individuality or a soul.

The same is not true in other countries and it is not down to their superior economic standing. The USA does not enjoy the same historic catalogue of architecture that we so often take for granted, yet on even the most mundane supermarket you can witness style and flair introduced into the exterior facades. Domestic dwellings have seized these opportunities and now display elaborate ‘Chateau style’ window surrounds and sills, keystones, columns, arches and banding, all demonstrative of a grander, more affluent era.

How is it possible that architectural design in the UK has been over taken by designs from abroad if it is not down to greater economic strength? The answer lies in the greater freedom they have to express their vision whilst still adhering to strict economic constraints. One huge advantage has come from the use of FoamStone (or FOAM STONE), the high density EPS foam, coated with a stone like skin that looks and feels like stone, yet is light to handle and simple to fit. This one product, more than any other, has given architects the ability to express design in a way not seen since the industrial revolution. The ability of the product to produce any architectural feature, any shape, any size and economically, has lead to a renaissance of detail at every level. Hence construction techniques have been simplified, with the inherent cost savings associated with such methods, and the detail has come from light weight features added either during or after construction.

So why has Britain lagged behind the rest of the world? Primarily, because until now, FoamStone architectural products were not available here in the UK.  There has long been a conservatism in the building industry, partly due to our historic traditions, that has resisted embracing new technology and methods. However these new ideas have now stood the tests of time, and extremes of climate, and with our own economic constraints there has never been a better time to explore the endless possibilities and savings this product can offer.

Renovation and restoration projects benefit from our ability to create any shaped profile with no minimum quantity or expensive set up costs. Even complex shapes (like the huge corbels seen elsewhere on our web site) can be manufactured to blend in seamlessly with existing historic details, easing the nightmare of tackling alterations to old and neglected heritage architecture.

So come on Britain. Take up the challenge. Be it a renovation, restoration or new build, let’s put design detail back into our buildings and resume our rightful place at the heart of architectural excellence. 

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