The library

Surfaces that
are allowed to age.

Around four hundred samples sit on the ground floor of the studio. Each one is recorded with its source, how it weathers, and whether it was worth the carbon. These are the ones we keep reaching for.

  • Honed Limestone surface

    Honed Limestone

    Soft mineral surface

    Surface
    Fine-grained
    Palette
    Warm ivory
    Application
    Walls & floors
    Family
    Stone

    Quarried in Jutland. Honed rather than polished, so it holds light instead of throwing it back.

    Used in The Coastal House

    Surface profile, 56 readings
  • Smoked Oak surface

    Smoked Oak

    Deep natural grain

    Grain
    Open & tactile
    Tone
    Deep brown
    Finish
    Natural oil
    Family
    Timber

    Fumed, not stained. Colour runs through the section, so wear reads as patina rather than damage.

    Used in The Coastal House

    Surface profile, 56 readings

  • Patinated Zinc

    Pre-weathered sheet

    Profile
    Standing seam
    Tone
    Slate grey
    Application
    Roof & fascia
    Family
    Metal

    Arrives grey. There is no awkward decade of a roof looking new.

    Used in Stillwater Pavilion

    Surface profile, 56 readings

  • Lime Render

    Breathable wall finish

    Coats
    Three, hand-floated
    Tone
    Chalk white
    Application
    Masonry
    Family
    Mineral

    Vapour-open, forgiving of hairline cracks, and repairable by anyone with a float.

    Surface profile, 56 readings

02 — Written down

What we learned, at length

A sample tells you what a surface is. The journal is where we record how it behaved once it was on a building.

03 — Come and handle them

Samples are better in the hand.

The library is on the ground floor and open to clients and collaborators, Tuesday to Thursday. Bring a drawing, or bring nothing.

Arrange a visit See the work