Material choices: 11 designers share the products they’re specifying following the engineered stone ban

Since its introduction within the Eighties, engineered stone has grow to be one in all Australia’s top-selling benchtop supplies, with over half 1,000,000 put in in houses previously three years1. Nevertheless, its excessive crystalline silica content material – as much as 97 percent2 – poses critical well being dangers for employees concerned in its manufacturing and set up. Foreshadowed by the asbestos ban in 2003, rising instances of lung illness and silicosis prompted all state and territory Work, Well being and Security Ministers to help a ban of engineered stone, efficient 1 July 2024.

Why engineered stone?

Engineered stone’s silica focus considerably exceeds the quantity discovered within the likes of marble, which comprises about 2 p.c silica3. Its larger density of nanoscale particles also can penetrate deeper into the lungs when mud is produced.

Further considerations have been raised concerning the better processing of the composite materials, which means less-skilled employees are in a position to produce better portions in a single shift, leading to larger publicity levels4.

What are the alternate options?

With limitation comes creativity – many designers are reconsidering fashionable purposes of conventional supplies like metal, timber and tile. Others are embracing new merchandise comparable to 5 Mile Radius’s customized slabs crafted from recycled development waste.

In the hunt for the proper benchtop, we consulted a collection of architects and inside designers about their experiences working with 11 floor alternate options and the artistic materials software strategies they explored.

Tile

Challenge: Foam Home, VICInterior Designer: Amelda Wilde

From the road, Foam Home responds to the coastal vernacular of Torquay, whereas the interiors evoke escapism and 80s nostalgia. Amelda Wilde’s design options texture, color and intensive tiling – permitting the benchtop and splashback to function a press release.

“The revived use of tile benchtops at Foam Home was a perfect answer, bringing a powerful sense of color and playfulness, sturdiness and financial empathy. The fact is, there isn’t any such factor as an ideal benchtop, that retains a flawless aesthetic with heavy use. I’m all the time enamoured with imperfection and character from genuine use – benchtops are essentially the most hardworking materials in a house, revealing the fact of household life.”

– Amelda Wilde, inside designer

Marble

Challenge: Daddy Cool, NSWArchitect: Sample Studio

Aptly named Daddy Cool, Sample Studio’s intensive retrofit of a Paddington terrace dwelling revitalises the residing areas for a father and his two grownup kids. The kitchen is anchored by a big marble island, with its sculptural kind an exemplar of making artwork out of the on a regular basis.

“Our stonemason met our ambitions to push the fabric functionality to its limits. The island sports activities a sculptural curve to the bottom; a formidable and much-adored element of the island. We reserved use of the Verde Guatemala marble to the island solely, however all through the mission there are objects we’ve clad in dramatically veined stones of an identical color tone.”

– Lily Goodwin, Sample Studio co-director

Laminate

Challenge: Wilam Ngarrang Retrofit, VICArchitect: Kennedy Nolan

Designed by a reno- vate-to-rent mannequin, Kennedy No- lan’s delicate retrofit of an current Fitzroy residence block achieves improved thermal efficiency, with an inside fit-out that explores the thought of ‘minimal intervention’.

“Australian-made Laminex was a terrific value level for this mission – it’s a dependable kitchen materials, and we had been drawn to this vary be- reason for the colors out there. We chosen Laminex Moroccan Clay very early within the design course of – it felt proper at dwelling with the prevailing clinker bricks and Nineteen Seventies aesthetic.”

– Rachel Nolan, Kennedy Nolan principal

Stainless Metal

Challenge: Union Road Home, VIC Architect: Prior Barraclough

Prior Barraclough’s transformation of an outdated Northcote employee’s cottage, Union Road Home, contains the addition of a brand new timber-clad kitchen and eating room, complemented by low- profile stainless surfaces. The pared-back materials palette works to ship a clear look that focuses on precision.

“Stainless allowed us to realize an especially effective work floor to cap the island bench and to completely combine the sink with out seen joints. It has a ravishing lustre, reflecting the encompassing timber linings, however can be hardwearing, simple to work with and recyclable.”

– Michael Barraclough, Prior Barraclough director

Concrete

Challenge: Niwa Home, QLD Architect: John Ellway

Niwa comes from a Japanese phrase for ‘backyard’ or ‘courtyard’, encap- sulating the mission’s connection to the outside. To realize this, the concrete kitchen bench seamlessly extends to a weather-hardy threshold for the outside staircase, as one steady materials.

“My purchasers love the altering character of the concrete floor over time. It’s not excellent, it does typically stain with sure meals like citrus and wine, so a bit like a stainless-steel bench it’s good to be snug with the adjustments. The beautiful factor is you could refinish the floor on web site sooner or later. A light-weight grind and reseal.”

– John Ellway, Architect

Porcelain

Challenge: Alba – Clovelly Seashore Home, NSWArchitect: studioplusthree

Echoing the location’s coastal context, Alba embraces a restrained but relaxed materials palette of pale ma- sonry and timber. In line with the impartial tonality, studioplusthree opted for porcelain benchtops, which embrace an identical cantilevered island bench.

“We discover that porcelain has a particular mixture of qualities. As a result of the porcelain slabs are thinner and stronger than a materi- al like pure stone, much less materials is used which is a bonus from a sustainability perspective, in addition to permitting effective detailing. The scale of the sheets – as much as 3.2m – permits for surfaces with out joint strains or grout, which is nice visually in addition to being simpler to maintain clear for kitchens and bogs.”

– Simon Rochowski, studioplusthree director

Brass

Challenge: Fusilier Cottage Addition, TASArchitect: Bence Mulcahy

Fusilier Cottage underwent a retro- match of the prevailing 1840s Georgian dwelling, preserving its kind and elevating its perform. Architects Bence Mulcahy chosen supplies that will develop a particular patina, comparable to timber and brass, to meld with the unique bluestone.

“Brass has been a constant materials for benchtops in a few our latest tasks. For Fusilier Cottage we positioned a excessive precedence on pure supplies that will age and texture over time. For brass, pre-aging is a handbook course of and takes some observe and expertise to excellent. Fortunately our contractor has each.”

– Shamus Mulcahy, Bence Mulcahy director

Copper

Challenge: Paperbark Pod, QLD Architect: Bark Architects

In designing Paperbark Pod, Bark Architects explored the thought of utilizing materiality as a timepiece for the evolution of a house – which led to the choice to make use of copper in numerous codecs. Not solely has it been used to clad the benchtop, however it is usually discovered on lavatory surfaces, within the entry arbour, surrounding the outside bathe enclosure, and in choose gentle fittings.

“Accompanying the nice and cozy plywood inside, the choice to specify copper because the benchtop materials on this mission was pushed by its distinctive aesthetics and the pure patina that develops over time, making a residing art work that evolves with the kitchen. This ever-changing character aligns with the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, the place magnificence is well known in imperfection.”

– Stephen Guthrie, Bark Architects director

Marble off-cuts

Challenge: Potts Level mission, NSW Architect: Second Version

Second Version was concerned in revitalising the kitchen of a small-footprint artwork deco residence. The bones of the prevailing stable timber kitchen had been retained and all new elements utilised marble offcuts from an area marble suppliers’ yard. The off-cuts had been puzzled collectively to create the benchtop, splashback and cabinets.

“There’s a major quantity of marble off-cuts out there within the Sydney metro space, making it a readily accessible useful resource. Past availability, marble’s sturdiness was a key consideration, particularly since our purchasers like to prepare dinner and entertain. In essence, the selection was a mix of designing for availability, efficiency, and aesthetics.”

– Shahar Cohen, Second Version co-founder

Timber

Challenge: Coopworth, TASArchitect: fmd Architects

Occupying a primary web site on Bruny Island, fmd’s design of Coopworth options intensive glazing set alongside pure birch plywood panelling to border farm vistas. The pure materials palette extends to the kitchen, the place a press release island bench, crafted utilizing alter- nating lengths of recycled timber, provides texture to the house.

“The kitchen benches are con- structed from recycled Messmate timber boards that had been sourced from our shopper’s childhood household farm. They’d been saved for a few years and we had been looking for the fitting mission for them. Our purchasers had been excited to see this piece of household historical past given a brand new life and it has confirmed to be an actual speaking level when visitors come round.”

In 2020-2021, Australia produced 25.2 megatonnes of constructing and demolition waste – about 60,000 Boeing 747s. 5 Mile Radius is working to divert a few of that wastefrom landfill.

Future choices

Because the title suggests, 5 Mile Radius sources development waste destined for landfill inside a 15-minute drive from their manufacturing facility, to repurpose it into distinctive and sustainable benchtops. Crafted from salvaged moist concrete and recycled glass, brick, stone and ceramics, not solely are the benchtops extremely sustainable, however they’re hardwearing and proof against stains, scratches and warmth.

“Suggestions from our purchasers has been overwhelmingly optimistic. They recognize the distinctive look of every benchtop, the story behind the supplies, and the product’s contribution to sustain- skill. Shoppers have additionally famous the sturdiness and ease of upkeep as vital advantages. Some have even highlighted the satisfaction they really feel in selecting a product that helps native companies and reduces environmental waste.”

– Clare Kennedy, 5 Mile Radius artistic director

1 Australian Housing Trade Affiliation

2, 3, 4 Protected Work Australia