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Slated for natural versatility
David Cooke from Cupa Pizarras discusses the versatility of natural slate when it comes to aesthetics, and the resulting design freedom it offers architects, giving recent examples
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n an age where the environmental impact of our actions is rightly under scrutiny, natural slate represents a highly sustainable roofing or cladding choice. A 100% natural material, its production process from quarry to installation is a highly efficient one that does not require any chemical treatment. Independent studies, such as the Inventory of Carbon and Energy (ICE) at the University of Bath, have highlighted that natural slate has the ability to offer the lowest environmental impact when compared to alternative roofing materials.
Performance & aesthetics With a lifespan of up to 150 years and needing only minimal maintenance, natural slate also provides a high performance and practical roofing option. In the material’s early use, it was favoured for the construction of castles and churches due to its weather resistance. However, in more modern times, it has become a popular choice for its non-combustibility and sustainability credentials. Natural slate can create a sleek and uniform aesthetic and has the added benefit of being resistant to unsightly fungus or mould growth. Also, with the growing trend for unique pitched roofs that incorporate complex shapes,
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natural slate can play a key role in a project’s success. The material can be easily cut into a wide range of sizes, for example larger, 50 x 30 cm and 60 x 30 cm formats, and shapes including rhomboid and half moon to complement a wide variety of architectural designs.
The versatility of natural slate also means that it can be used as a contemporary cladding material. An example of this can be seen at a recent project in Peckham, south London, where a 72º upper mansard was created to provide a truly striking aesthetic. Mansards are becoming an increasingly popular choice due to the way in which they efficiently use interior space, as well as how they allow natural slate to be combined with other materials. In the case of Costa Street in Peckham, natural slate was selected due to its light weight and superior strength to weight ratio, enabling a dramatic ‘leaning’ effect to be achieved.
For a £2m development at the Colin Forbes Building – part of the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences at the University of Cambridge – slate cladding was used alongside brickwork to provide a contemporary look, and complement the existing building. A ‘random’ natural slate rainscreen cladding system was specified in
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Natural slate was selected due to its light weight and superior strength to weight ratio, enabling a dramatic ‘leaning’ effect to be achieved
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