Dalski Stone Showroom

(COMMERCIAL – BUILT – SYDNEY)

This design was the winner of a two week competition asking for a design in the courtyard of the Dalski Stone Showroom in Sydney, using only the existing pieces of stone stored in their warehouse.

The idea was to mix and match the samples to have as many different types and finishes of stone side by side as possible, creating a sculptural composition with some variation in the thickness to allow for shadowing. Finally a few 3D pieces were added with a 1.5m cantilevered stone beam included for dramatic effect.

Dalski Stone Competition 01_board 1_Stephen Varady Image © — Dalski Stone Competition – Panel 1

Dalski Stone Competition 01_board 1a_Stephen Varady Image © — Dalski Stone Competition – Panel 1 detail

Dalski Stone Competition 02_board 2_Stephen Varady Image © — Dalski Stone Competition – Panel 2

Competition Text

This design has taken a selection of the available Dalski stone samples and created a sculptural three-dimensional artwork on the wall of the courtyard at the Dalski Stone Showroom in Chippendale, Sydney.

The composition has been arranged to show off different types of stone (sandstone, limestone, marble), a variety of different colours within one type of stone (azor cherry, azor woodgrain, cebul), and also the different types of finish (honed and polished), in a striking and inventive way.

The pattern is composed using a variety of combinations so that some types of stone can be compared to different types of stone; the same types of stone can be seen in smaller or larger quantities; and different finishes can be seen separately or next to each other.

The composition uses standard thicknesses and standard sizes as well as economically cut smaller sizes, giving an accurate representation of what is currently available in stock.

The wall could be constructed as a simple relief composition, or could include the more dramatic protruding elements (incorporating steel supports) that would further highlight the different types of edge finish – butted, mitred, etc.

This wall would be a bold, dramatic addition to the Dalski Stone Showroom, and would become a talking point within the stone and design communities alike!