More than just a wall

Natural stone is an incredibly versatile material, especially when it comes to walling. It adds texture, depth, strength, and interest to a space both inside and out. Marry the rugged stone with contemporary architecture of clean lines to add an organic finish, incorporate stone into the garden and layer with plants, or use it to provide privacy whilst remaining aesthetically pleasing. Whatever your application or motivation, natural stone walls can add value to the aesthetics of your space.

Here we share 15 different ways natural stone walling has been used to enhance a space visually and functionally.

Architectural walling

Modern architecture of concrete, timber or smooth render can benefit from the depth and texture that natural stone provides. Below are 7 inspiring projects which integrate stone into the architecture.

KP Architects have created a striking entrance with Wamberal Freeform® natural stone walling. The textured mix of brown and grey tones sits perfectly against the starkness of the concrete structure and oversized charcoal metal door.

Wamberal Freeform® natural stone walling has been also used on this contemporary home’s façade. Designed by Koichi Takada Architects, the cladding adds a highly textured element to the crisp form.

The classic combination of timber, concrete, and stone has been utilised in this home designed by Shaun Lockyer Architects. The Alpine dry stone walling also features throughout the property, including a large pool wall in the rear garden.

Built by Alan Sheppard just a small shard of Crackenback® Freeform® stone walling was needed to create another dimension for this home’s façade.

Jason Saunders of Arc Seven.1 has designed his own intricate pattern using our custom Bluestone Linear Walling™.  You can see more of this project here.

Alpine dry stone walling has been used by Gartner Trovato Architects to ground this dominating two story home and add texture to the modern form. Using the dry stone to construct retaining walls has further connected the architecture with the landscape.

The warming tones of the Random Ashlar‘s sandstone and quartz limestone mix marries perfectly with the warmth of the timber panelling in this home designed by Base Architects.  These walls continue running in through the interior where the stone is a prominent feature.

Garden walling

Natural stone walling plays an important role within the garden as boundary treatments, addressing level changes and finishing pool surrounds. Layered against foliage, natural stone in the garden ages well and adds another element of texture to the outdoor space.  Here are 7 gardens which showcase the beauty of natural stone walling.

An outdoor room feature wall has been created by Landart using Random Ashlar Newport natural stone. The soft cream tones work well in the slatted pergola above casting a dramatic shadow.

Forming a retaining wall to the garden and a bench seat for an intimate lounge area is Barrimah® traditional format stone. Designed by Fig Landscapes, the large format wall tiles provide a heavily distressed finish against the smooth, clean lines of the bluestone flooring.

Granite veneer Hawqua® stone has been used to provide a classic street frontage of this house created by Canny Homes. The stone’s neutral, cool tones marry well with the black and grey palette of the architecture.

Alpine dry stone walling has been used on this pool feature wall created by Site Design + Studios making an inviting outdoor space.

Corben Architects have used Barrimah® traditional format stone to create a tall wall surrounding three sides of the pool.  This not only provides a safe swimming area, it also offers a stunning visual backdrop when viewing from the house.

Outdoor Establishments have clad this low retaining wall in  Crackenback® Freeform® stone. The hedge above provides height and further adds texture to the garden space.

Secret Gardens have embraced the natural colour variations of the Lichen® Linear slate walling cladding this home’s boundary wall. It works perfectly with the timber architecture and the native planting.

Feature image: Matt Gibson Architects using Baw Baw dry stone walling in their Concrete House.