Stone Stories: Andrew Piva
Q: How do you work with Eco Outdoor to get the end-result you want?
At B.E Architecture we’re interested in how buildings are put together, how materials can evoke a particular feeling. Each building has its own identity, and it’s that collection of materials – how we put them together, how we detail it – which defines that. Eco Outdoor understand our focus on excellence and our clear emphasis on materials. Very early on, we have conversations about what the buildings could be. Sometimes the Eco team might say, ‘Hey, it’s great that you guys want this but this quarry isn’t going to be ready for the amount of colour you want’, or, ‘We’re going to source it from here or there.’ Their skills ensure we get the end-result we want.
Q: The 15-year-plus relationship has been very fruitful, then?
Eco Outdoor has always facilitated going that extra mile. Not only did we collaboratively develop the particular sizing of the Fallow granite, but also the finish – where the stones were flamed, sometimes double and triple flamed, and then brushed, sometimes triple brushed, which gives a smooth-to-the-touch but undulating feel. We’ve never felt we’re an irritant in seeking further customisation. It’s a very important relationship and it’s something that we’re very respectful of because it enables us to do what we do well.
“Eco Outdoor were enthusiastic to test different techniques and propose alternative treatments we may not have considered in the early research and development stages.”
Q: What drew you to Eco Outdoor’s Fallow Granite?
We know that granite is highly customisable and durable, so it’s a positive stone to use, but in the past a lot of granite has been too cold and austere. It can also be high contrast or homogenous – Fallow has a much more even, soft, tonal range and a lot of character in it. In a house setting, it felt much more at home. We also wanted to create different textural qualities on the tiles. The process of triple-brushing Fallow meant that we still had the surface undulation but a much softer texture. When you hone and change the surface finish of natural materials, they still present the same as their original state, allowing us to maintain a minimal material palette and creating a unified experience that flows seamlessly through the home.
Q: How did Eco Outdoor work with you to create custom pieces?
When researching a suitable stone, we weren’t afraid to test different surface finishing and tooling techniques to achieve a desired outcome. At Armadale Residence, you’re seeing honed wall and floor tiles, but the bathtub is flamed on the outside and honed on the inside to create a silky-smooth internal texture. Eco Outdoor were enthusiastic to test different techniques and propose alternative treatments we may not have considered in the early research and development stages. Understanding from Eco Outdoor what can be achieved, and the potential limitations of these manufacturing processes, helped us fine-tune the designs and best manage the cost outcomes, too.
Photography Peter Clarke and Derek Swalwell
Product Fallow granite and Torino bluestone
