Flooring

摘要

Natural stone paving, whether in granite, limestone, marble or even sandstone, is the perfect adjunct to a stylish building interior or external courtyard. Currently an influx of stones from China and India is opening up the market even further. Not only are natural stones from these developing countries cheaper than those from Europe or even South America, but they come in a wide range of types, colours and textures. And, in the case of China at least, they can be supplied ready-cut to fine tolerances. The £2m makeover of the Victoria & Albert Museum's central courtyard in London is a good case in point. In the competition-winning design by landscape architect Kim Wilkie Associates, the courtyard's centrepiece is an oval paved in red sandstone and surrounded by water jets, York stone steps and lawns. The red sandstone was imported from northern China, all perfectly cut to fit the complicated double-curved shape of the centrepiece, which is oval in plan, 40 m x 20 m in area and dished in section.