Project elith is a collaboration between Dean Foskett, Phill Earley and Stone|Work|Space. The project is an initiative to develop research into the use of Portland Stone as a material for use in architectural designs. This research will also involve workshops for students to learn a range of stone masonry and carving techniques with Stone|Work|Space. The aim to combine expertise in low tech and high tech methods of masonry construction to drive a new agenda in the use and application of Portland Stone.
The workshops will be held in Portland at PSQT’ ‘Stone|Work|Space’ and will encourage students to engage with Portland Stone in a variety of ways and develop techniques to assist in the production of a unique prototype which will be displayed within the preservation area as part of a larger collection of pieces. Students will learn methods of construction focussing on crafted traditional stone masonry and carving skills in order to gain an understanding of the properties of stone. Using such a tactile material as Portland Stone that can be so finely carved, students will initially be encouraged to produce a series of small, beautifully crafted objects. The latter part of the course will see students produce a large scale prototype combining traditional and new technologies that will focus on developing geometrically complex structures using computational tools and CNC hardware.
An interview between stoneworkspace and elith will be provided shortly
We engage with design based research and believe in a prototypical approach in order to stimulate architectural ideas . We actively pursue a range of design methodologies but focus on computational techniques with an objective to nurture and develop design talent, promote material and building innovation and manufacturing techniques.
We are witnessing a resurgence in popularity for natural building resources, materials with high environmental credentials and a renewed appreciation of craft reintroduced into construction. We believe that these considerations and other influences such as ecology, topology, geology, materiality and structure can inform new rich and complex ideas. Stone|Work|Space and PSQT are the best informed resource for us to best educate and inform around this topic.
Our research focuses on the development of material systems conditioned by digital manufacturing. We aim to develop systems that are designed to be tested, developed and deployed in a range of different scales in collaboration with experts in digital computation, masters of craft techniques and specialists in production and manufacturing. Using digital tools, we hope to not only enhance design productivity within the construction industry but also expand the possibilities of design exploration. The missing link for us was a partner who can help to facilitate education of the material itself, traditional techniques, and experimental use of waste materials so for us Stone|Work|Space is invaluable to providing a comprehensive understanding for our students.
We are also very grateful for the exposure this project has received at the Natural Stone Show 2013 along side our key partner Stone|Work|Space.
Stoneworkspace’s point of view of the collaboration
We are very happy to welcome Elith as a evolving collaboration. We are excited that this initiative has been received so well by educators within architecture departments and look forward to the first courses being run next year.
It is refreshing that these two professionals are so focussed on materials research and passionate about imparting that knowledge through our collaborative programme.
Further information can be found online at ProjectElith microsite.
Stone|Work|Space & Elith Project were featured in September issue of Design Exchange Magazine! We are thrilled to have the exposure, so thank you very much to all at Design Exchange! We look forward to hearing from your readership.
We were invited by PSQT to present Project Elith at the ‘Natural Stone Show’ 2013 exhibition at ExCel, London. The response was overwhelming and we are grateful to everyone who came to visit the stand and showed an interest. … Read More
2012
2013
2014
Stone|Work|Space & Elith Project were featured in September issue of Design Exchange Magazine! We are thrilled to have the exposure, so thank you very much to all at Design Exchange! We look forward to hearing from your readership.
2013 Statement: Stone|Work|Space continue talks with Project Elith about running educational courses at our facility. We are also very excited about this partnership pulling interest from some of the UK’s top architecture schools.
