Surface Design Awards – Complete

• INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE YEAR - NEW
  This is a new category that recognises wall, floor, ceiling and surface design products, including decorative, creative and inventive surfaces for the interior of buildings including both commercial and residential properties.

This project was conceived by Steve for his Client Marcus Clay who wanted a Wow factor for his leisure: bar area for his farmhouse.

Steve selected the materials ( Patagonia Quartzite) from his supplier in Italy and created this stunning backlit 200mm thick low level preparation island that sits alongside the huge backlit bar that takes centre stage in the entertainment room, perfect for private parties with friends and family.

The bar is 75mm thick and is a very random Patagonia where as the low level island is nearly all crystal other than the very strategically places Miele flush fit hob.

Steve used tall Perspex rods to act as fibre optic supports for the book matched pieces for the low level island and smashed glass to support the pieces making up the bar tops, this meant that there was ‘no’ shadows showing how the materials are supported.

bar cost £35,000
Island cost £20,000

The led lighting was also completed by Planet Granite including Samsung chips with aluminium heat sink.

Very difficult to fabricate all cut with 5 axis waterjet ensuring perfect joining to downstands and excellent pattern matching.

Patagonia Quartzite very unusual block was selected due to its almost’all crystal’ uniqueness.

The bookmatch slabs complement the design perfectly for the island and the 200mm thickness, whereas the random pattern Patagonia suits the layout of the bar tops, Planet Granite have also shown great consideration for the jointing on the bar tops.

I don’t believe there will be a similar home installation like this in the UK due to the complexity of the lighting installation and the Perspex supports with a very difficult material to fabricate.

Using natural stone for a bar top and incorporating LED lighting can be a sustainable design choice for several reasons:

1. Durability and Longevity: Natural stone, such as granite or marble, is incredibly durable and can last for decades, reducing the need for frequent replacements. This longevity minimizes resource consumption over time.

2. Reduced Maintenance: Stone surfaces are easy to clean and require minimal maintenance, reducing the use of chemical cleaners and water over the long term.

3. Energy Efficiency: LED lighting is energy-efficient and consumes less electricity compared to traditional lighting sources. This helps lower energy bills and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

4. Resource Efficiency: Stone is a natural resource, but it can often be sourced locally, reducing transportation-related carbon emissions. Additionally, stone is recyclable, and remnants can be reused in other projects.

5. Aesthetic Appeal: The use of natural stone and LED lighting can enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of the bar, attracting customers and potentially increasing revenue for the business.

6. Customization: LED lighting allows for creative and customizable design options, enabling unique and eye-catching effects without excessive energy consumption.

However, it's important to ensure responsible sourcing of natural stone to minimize environmental impact during extraction and processing. Additionally, using energy-efficient LED fixtures and controls can maximize sustainability benefits.

Overall, combining natural stone with LED lighting can create an attractive, durable, and sustainable bar top design when executed thoughtfully and responsibly.

The carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with a marble worktop can vary depending on several factors, including the source of the marble, transportation, and the specific processes involved in extraction and manufacturing. On average, the carbon footprint for producing and installing a square meter of marble worktop can range from approximately 150 kg to 300 kg of CO2 emissions.

It's important to note that the carbon footprint can be influenced by factors such as the distance the marble travels in this instance the Jobsite is situated 4 miles from our factory.

The biggest issue we faced was actually placing the cut pieces onto the fibre optic rods without breaking the material or moving the rods , we had to place the pieces perfectly without the luxury having a second chance or being able to move the pieces afterwards.it was extremely scary as if we had had a breakage we did not have a second chance.