BDC Magazine - Online version December 2015 Issue - 216 | Page 67

Szerelemy.qxp_feature 2 06/11/2015 12:46 Page 65

BUILDING WITH STONE: SZERELMEY

lived their predicted life expectancy is not without its challenges,
and with each building comes an array of distinct hurdles to
overcome. Equally, the company has been and continues to be
involved in some groundbreaking new buildings such as New
Court, Rothschild Bank HQ, at the heart of the capital, on St.
Swithin's Lane, Szerelmey designed a bespoke and specialist
lightweight hung ceiling, incorporating stunning travertine stone
to form the backdrop to architect, OMA's vision. In order to
install the large 1200mm by 600mm panels as required, the company's design and technology department devised a suspended,
lightweight ceiling system which would make use of very thin
stone adhered to a honeycomb, aluminium backing. An engineering masterclass, and no mean feat in busy central London,
the ceiling elegantly passes from the external soffits through into
the internal foyer in apparently seamlessly.

Africa House, restoration and new works to interior

Such great longevity in the industry lays claim to a company
The

company

and

the

group

including

Szerelmey

doing things right. Maintaining strong values of continuity and

Conservation, Heritage Building and Conservation and Chichester

preservation, and holding innovation and quality design in con-

Stoneworks, each offer apprenticeship programmes, run by

junction, Szerelmey has created a model to which one can very

Szerelmey’s skilled master craftsmen. Often, the group's appren-

easily subscribe. As the company continues to invest in its technol-

tices receive offers of full-time employment at the end of the

ogy and specialisms including faience, and consolidates its client

scheme, a means of securing the future of the restoration industry

base, we raise our glass and look toward the next 160 years.

and its related specialist trades, stonemasonry and carving.
www.szerelmey.com

The restoration of such iconic buildings which have long out-

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