There was a time not so long ago when all the new buildings we seemed to see were made to something of an identikit. Materials were the same, there were few individual features, construction processes were quick and easy, designed to minimise the cost and maximise the profit. It was a sad sight, in part because it seemed to condemn traditional skills and character-rich materials to the bin.
Thankfully, in recent years we’ve seen an increase in the popularity of new builds that in many ways don’t look old at all. They still incorporate all the usual mod cons, of course – state of the art plumbing, the latest technologies and user-friendly appliances – but at least they look, well, different. Here at AGM Stone, we see this as a very welcome trend indeed.
One of the more pleasing aspects of this is the increasing usage of reclaimed stone. Whether it’s used for walls, paths, fireplaces, frames or anything else, it’s great to see its utilisation. It was so wasteful to see perfectly good stone heading off to the waste tip, especially when it could have had decades of use once again in a newly built residential home or commercial building.
Look to the past for a better future
In towns and cities all over the UK, we’re seeing a welcome return to buildings that are created with a sense of individuality. There’s nothing to be gained by building a row of houses that look exactly the same as the row of houses in the next street, apart from saving a few pounds at the expense of individuality. Architects are regularly daring to be different now, and we applaud them for it.
It’s worth remembering that when you complete a brand new construction project, it isn’t there just for the current population. It’s there to be used and enjoyed for future generations as well, so why not do all you can to make sure it lasts for a long time, looking as beautiful in fifty years as it does now? Paying homage to the skills and techniques of the stonemasons of the past surely deserves to continue.
If you’re an architect or surveyor in Scotland and you’re keen to incorporate reclaimed stone in your next project, we’d like to hear from you. Here at AGM Stone, we have a young, energetic and talented team of specialists, and we’re always keen to work with reclaimed materials. If your commitment to the environment matches ours, why not give us a call today on 07493 348 845? We hope to be hearing from you soon.
