Coastal charm added to NSW retirement community thanks to Cultured Stone®

Surrounded by water views and natural beauty, coastal charm was at the heart of the brief for the redevelopment of 21 independent living units at RSL LifeCare’s retirement development in Ballina. The project called for exterior materials that would evoke a tranquil and beachy mood, yet withstand the rigorous demands of an exposed coastal site.

The client’s trusted designer, Gilmore Interior Design, was charged with finding a suitable material to modernise the building’s façade.

“We wanted a stone cladding material that was both light enough to be installed to a two-storey height without mechanical fixing and durable enough to withstand exposure to the harsh coastal elements without degrading. It was important the material maintain a realistic stone appearance for years to come,” said Trina Kazi, project lead and senior interior designer at Gilmore Interior Design.

After extensive research, Gilmore Interior Design specified Country Ledgestone in Echo Ridge from the Cultured Stone® by PGH range and consulted with Humel Architects to finalise detailing and application. Cultured Stone proved an important element of the exterior design and instrumental in expressing the coastal aesthetic.

“Because Cultured Stone didn’t require any additional coatings or sealants at the coastal location, it had fewer maintenance requirements and is more durable than the other products we considered. This made it a cost-effective choice over the long term.

“It is also lighter than natural stone, which meant it was easily installed and did not require mechanical fixings at higher levels.

“The client is really pleased with the finished result, particularly with the use of Cultured Stone. We have since specified Cultured Stone for a number of other projects and continue to be impressed by PGH Bricks & Pavers’ excellent customer service and technical support during the specification and installation process,” said Trina.

Designed with sustainability in mind, all Cultured Stone products contain a minimum of 54 per cent recycled content. It is engineered to last and is supplied with a 50-year limited warranty*. In most applications, it does not require painting, coating or sealing after installation.

Cultured Stone is distributed by PGH Bricks & Pavers. For more information, visit www.pghbricks.com.au or call 13 15 79.