Kew

Stone Used: Oyster Limestone (installed in the Ashlar style)

This exceptional project in Kew involved a close collaboration between our team, Christopher Doyle Architects, Davies Henderson, and Limestone Australia to bring a complex and beautifully detailed design to life. The stonework, which included intricate elements such as solid stone arches, round tapered columns, balustrades, finials atop moulded gables, crucifixes on the front fence, and round walls on the front fence, required precise craftsmanship and careful planning.

We worked hand-in-hand with Limestone Australia to source the Oyster Limestone directly from the quarry, ensuring a smooth and seamless transition from quarry to installation. Every stone element on this project, from the grand arches to the smallest decorative detail, was either hand-carved onsite by our expert stonemasons or machine-cut by Limestone Australia for us to complete the final touches. This level of involvement from both parties ensured that each piece of stonework was tailored specifically to the design requirements.

Project Scope and Details:

This project took over 18 months to complete the stone works, largely due to the intricate and highly detailed nature of the work. Most of the stone elements were constructed from solid stone veneer, with the exception of a few sections where we used 30mm thick stone tiles to clad against concrete brick walls, specifically along both sides of the driveway. This choice allowed for a beautiful, consistent finish while maintaining structural integrity.

Limestone Australia played a pivotal role in supplying and cutting the stone for the Ashlar pattern, using approximately 10 different sized blocks to create the visually striking pattern seen on the stone walls. The Ashlar style, known for its clean, straight lines and rectangular stone blocks, was meticulously executed. To ensure absolute precision, we worked from laminated plans for each section, allowing us to install the stone exactly as specified by the architect.

The Columns and Arched Elements:

One of the more challenging aspects of the project was the large stone columns, each requiring wooden arched templates to support the massive stone pieces, each weighing over 80kg. We carefully installed the arched blocks, ensuring they were perfectly aligned before removing the templates. The final step involved joining the blocks with mortar and performing touch-ups to achieve a seamless, flawless finish.

At the rear of the property, visitors can see the stunning 17 arches—comprised of both elliptical and segmental designs—each hand-carved and installed by our talented stonemasons. The level of craftsmanship involved in creating and fitting each arch is nothing short of spectacular, and the result is a striking architectural feature that enhances the beauty of the home.

Collaboration and Scaffold Design:

We also worked closely with WMA Scaffold, who helped design a custom scaffold system tailored to this project’s specific needs. Given the heavy and large-sized stone pieces, the scaffold system was critical to the successful installation. It facilitated the movement of the stone around the site and into designated areas for installation, ensuring that our stonemasons could complete their work safely and efficiently.

Steve Mawdsley – Limestone Australia (RIP)

While we were deeply involved in this project and collaborating closely with Limestone Australia, we were devastated to receive the news that Steve Mawdsley, the director of Limestone Australia and someone we had worked with for over 15 years, had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. Tragically, Steve did not live to see the completion of this project. In his absence, his son Craig stepped in and worked alongside us to ensure the project was finished to the highest standards, just as Steve would have wanted.

We would like to take a moment to recognize Steve Mawdsley for his invaluable contribution to this project and for the long-standing partnership we shared. His legacy and dedication to his work will always be remembered.