Natural Stone Home

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 03:52:45 GMT

Tye Residence (aka Natural Stone Home - Archipro)

Every so often a project is achieved where the synergy of components makes an exceptional finish. This collaboration between client, stonemason, quarry, and builder has achieved a unique home.

The clients engaged Robin Dalton of Southern Stonemasons Wanaka very early in the process of designing the house. Robin’s outstanding craftsmanship and knowledge has helped to drive the final result.

The clients were committed to achieving a particular aesthetic and visited the quarries to understand the extraction process. They were involved from the early stages of design, through construction and decided to combine stone from two quarries to achieve the aesthetic they wanted.

From the design stage the house was engineered around the size of stone required, rather than engineering dictating the stone footings. The depth of stone is a critical part to the process. The veneer was designed at 250mm, which is wider than usual and allowed larger stones to be incorporated.

Communication and a strong relationship both with the clients and builders was a critical aspect to the high-quality finish achieved in this home. Certain design elements required collaboration, to the point of cutting out a cardboard template of some of the stone shapes needed to be found in the quarry.

Stone was mechanically fixed to the underside of steel lintels. Doing so hides them so to imitate a structural stone form rather than veneer. This technique is generally used to fixing stone panels to high rise commercial buildings. This method of construction is not common in New Zealand and almost unheard of in schist as it requires specialist knowledge. Robin mechanically fixed stone in South Africa and has since taught his whole Wanaka based team this method.

Between conversations around depth of stone, hiding the steel lintels (by mechanically fixing stone to the underside of the lintel), achieving unusual angles and using stone from different quarries, the completed home is proof of what can be possible.

More detail available through https://archipro.co.nz/project/natural-stone-home-wanaka-stone

Oamaru Stone – New Zealand’s Limestone since 1900

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 23:27:31 GMT

Is Oamaru limestone a good choice for your project?

What is Limestone?

An entirely natural material, limestone is a sedimentary rock composed of calcium carbonate in the form of mineral calcite. The Oamaru limestone from Parkside Quarries has been created from minuscule marine particles from the nearby ocean, compacted by pressure millions of years ago. Then with the natural pressures of the earth's tectonic plate activity, rises and falls of sea level, erosion and deposition, finally pushed above sea level. Undoubtedly, Oamaru limestone is one of the purest building materials available.

How much limestone is there?

Around 10% of the earth’s crust is limestone making it an incredibly abundant resource. Parkside Quarries, where Oamaru limestone is sourced, has been operating commercially for over 100 years. We still quarry from a pit opened in 1991 and presently quarry from an additional 2 pits which produce slightly different qualities. There are further areas within the operation from which we can mine in the future.

What Are the Advantages of Oamaru limestone?

Dependability

Compared to many other building materials, limestone provides dependability like no other. This characteristic can be demonstrated by detailing its use throughout history. Limestone has been used as a building and surfacing material for centuries. The Greeks and Romans used Limestone in the building of numerous statues and buildings thousands of years ago. In New Zealand, there are many examples of iconic structures made from Oamaru limestone such as town halls, banks, churches, and schools.

Versatility

Limestone can be used as panels for cladding, interior walling, tiling, or for other surfacing purposes. Limestone is a perfect addition to a landscaping project. It can be carved, shaped, and formed in a way to add a sculptural element to your project such as a fireplace, window and door surround, columns. Whether you are looking for a classic block or more crafted limestone features, limestone provides every project with a unique and natural aesthetic.

Cost-Effectiveness

An entirely plentiful material, efficiently extracted and local, limestone is relatively inexpensive even once the cost to transport from Oamaru is added. Versatile, dependable, and cost-effective, Oamaru Limestone is shaping up to be a top contender on the list of possibilities for use in your building project (Not to mention we are not even done covering its advantages)!

Eco-Friendliness

Due to its abundance, the use of limestone in buildings and structures can be considered environmentally conscious. In using it, we are not stripping the Earth of a rare or scare material. More than that though, we are conscious of resource-efficient management of this material and operate a circular economy that sees offcuts, shavings, and lime dust all repurposed as a soil conditioner or to assist with the digestive health of animals and granivorous birds.

Stand by for a look at some of the creative projects featuring limestone around the globe,

perhaps there’ll be some inspiration there for you.

For more information about Oamaru Limestone please contact Parkside Quarries .

nzsma

Natural Stone Home

Tye Residence (aka Natural Stone Home - Archipro)

Oamaru Stone – New Zealand’s Limestone since 1900

Is Oamaru limestone a good choice for your project?