The 2008 Natural Stone Awards are the most prestigious awards
available to those who work with stone, whether they are specifying,
supplying or building.
The 2008 awards are divided into five different categories. They
are: new build (both load-bearing stone and modern, non load-bearing
stone), repair and restoration, interiors, landscaping and
craftsmanship. Projects of any size will be considered in every
category.
In addition, every entry will be considered within a new
"sustainability awareness" category, which will reward an outstanding
project that demonstrates "positive elements of sustainability".
The awards showcase projects, large and small, that have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in both design and execution.
"These awards are universally acknowledged as highly prestigious
and they celebrate the use of this attractive, traditional, yet vitally
modern building material," explained the federation's chief executive
Jane Buxey. "Our members, and the architects and designers they work
with, know it is a wonderful way in which to get their work recognised
as being of the very highest standards.
"The judging panel of internationally renowned architects will
work on the premise that for successful design there should be sympathy
of scale to any surrounding building or feature and, in continuous
street frontages, a relationship to any marked general horizontal or
vertical pattern.
"They will look for an understanding of the requirements of stone
detailing and weathering to give a clean and minimum maintenance
building or landscape development. Additionally they will be looking
for innovative use of stone in all entries, while placing great
importance will be given to the overall quality of the work undertaken."
Award winners will be announced later in the year at a lunch in
London, to be hosted by television presenter Jim Rosenthal. English
Heritage, Construction Skills, British Slate Association and Watson
Burton are among the award sponsors.