Structural stone used in buildings is explored in this week’s Architecture Business Directory. Throughout 2021, architects and engineers from Amina Taha’s Groupwork to Webb Yates have championed the use of structural stone in construction. Major highlights have included innovative applications with key environmental benefits, given stone’s lower carbon footprint and reusability.
French architect, Fernand Pouillon, was instrumental in modelling the use of pre-cut stone blocks in large-scale projects. Stone has also been used in combination with concrete for structural reinforcement. Webb Yates successfully showcased stone’s application in long-span structures, replacing traditional steel and concrete with stone and timber composites. A prominent project demonstrating these developments was ‘Conversation’ at the London Festival of Architecture 2021, designed by NVBL. The project paid tribute to the historical use of stone, reinforcing its modern relevance and potential.