Landscape architects in search of quality hard landscaping materials, with a tight lead time, need to look no further. Hardscape’s beautiful selection of European granite provides the perfect solution. The Iberian stone is available in an inspiring range of colours, with robust technical qualities and swift delivery.
A hidden gem
Perhaps unknown to some, the Iberian Peninsula is saturated with natural stone of every geological period, from the Ediacaran to the modern day. The stone is also richly served by the great river systems of the region: the Ebro, the Douro, the Tagus, the Guadiana and the Guadalquivir, thus creating some very rare rock formations.
With a passion for geology, Mathew Haslam, Hardscape’s managing director, has had trading relations in the region for over 20 years. Building on this deep-rooted relationship, in 2014 Hardscape made a commitment to partnering production operations in Galacia Spain and Marco de Canavasses Portugal. As a result, Hardscape now has exclusivity over some stone commodities from singular quarry sources.
Pioneering technology for bespoke stone cuttings
In April 2018, Hardscape’s logistician, Glenn Bradley, visited all of Hardscape’s production operations within the Iberian Peninsula to oversee the installation of new equipment that the facilities have invested in.
In Galacia, Hardscape now has 5 and 6-axis production-ready CNC machinery, while in Marco de Canavasses the company has just installed a 5-axis CNC machine. These machines give the production team much more flexibility in cutting the stone down into a range of sizes to suit individual specifications.
From Iberia to Ireland
During his visit, Glenn also inspected four new quarry sources. He was on a mission to look for new additions to Hardscape’s ever-growing product range, given the increasing popularity and high demand for the stone in Northern Ireland.
In Belfast, for example, the stone was recently specified for one of the largest schemes in the city: Lagan Weir Bridge and Lookout. The bridge, that connects Donegall Quay with Queen’s Quay, replaces the old footbridge and represents a £5m investment in the city from the department. The project boasts a palette of Portuguese granites ranging from Roriz, to Grey Real and to Black Favaco.
Many of Hardscape’s Iberian Peninsula stones are unique and enigmatic: Preta Johann, Silva Montemuro, Silva Vilar, Pink Forte, Azul Noche, Azul Platino and Blanco Cristal amongst them – all are technically tested to lawful date-valid Standard and CE requirements.
If you are seeking something really unique for your design or are a contractor working to a short lead time (three weeks), then Hardscape’s Iberian Peninsula stone could be just what you need.
For further details on any of our European granite products and other material choices, please contact Hardscape at enq@hardscape.co.uk
