February 2025
Haddonstone's ‘Mermaids' adorn Duchy project
Haddonstone's "mermaid panels", designed by Charles Gurrey, now adorn a mixed-use apartment building - part of the Nansledan project
One ofHaddonstone's long term clients has supplied a set of three cast stone mermaid panels, created by artistCharles Gurrey,for a unique housing development on Duchy of Cornwall land on the edge of Newquay.
The 540-acre site known as Nansledan - "broad valley" in the Cornish language - will eventually provide some 4000 new homes together with a diverse mix of businesses. It has recently featured in the national news following a pledge by The Prince of Wales to invest £3million to build 24 new houses for homeless people on the land.South-West Brick and Stone, based in Bovey Tracey, Devon, was contacted byMorrish Homesregarding the commission and director Gary Norton subsequently set up a meeting with Haddonstone at their Northampton manufactory. Joined by Charles Gurrey, Gary met with members of Haddonstone's experienced team to discuss how Gurrey's 1,210mm x 963mm original mermaid, carved in Jesmonite, could be faithfully replicated for the housing project.
It was agreed that the trio of plaques should be produced in Haddonstone's TecLite glass-fibre reinforced material. The material's high strength-to-weight ratio makes it ideal for retrofit projects because it can be used to create designs that are no more than 45mm thick, whilst still achieving the crisp detailing found in Gurrey's original. A profile was taken of Gurrey's mermaid to ensure all of the artist's detailed work was reproduced when Haddonstone's team produced the mould and cast the panels. The final panels were produced in a Portland colour finish, and a large headed fixing was cast into the reverse side of each one, allowing them to be resin anchored into place on site.
Gary Norton commented: "We set up the company 20 years ago to be the region's foremost supplier of brick and stone, as well as chimneys and associated GRP components to housebuilders and construction clients and have dealt with Haddonstone as a top manufacturer since the beginning. Charlie Gurrey was very keen that his design would be replicated in all its detail; while also respecting all the practical requirements such as weight, how it would be installed into the brickwork recesses, the slenderness or optimum depth for the castings, and even how they would be backlit. It is on this sort of detail where Haddonstone is very strong."
The Senior Technical Consultant for Morrish Homes, Darren Goodland, added: "We are currently working on the Riel Quarter of the project where we will complete 122 new properties, including a mixed-use apartment building known as ‘Chi Morvoren', or the Mermaid House, where the panels have been installed. We have built up a close working relationship with South-West Brick and Stone over the past 15 years, here and on many other sites including Poundbury. The Nansledan project reflects the culture and heritage of Cornwall through its architecture and place naming with eight distinct quarters, each represented by a unique emblem plaque, again designed by Charles Gurrey and modelled upon dune-crest plants commonly found on the North Cornish coast".
As a founding member of the UK Cast Stone Association, Haddonstone offers an extensive range of bespoke architectural and landscaping products in a selection of natural colours. Many of the designs reflect popular period styles such as Georgian, Greek Revival and Classical. The family run company also produces a wide selection of garden and home cast stonework including water features, planters and garden furniture.
For further information visitwww.haddonstone.comor call 01604 770 711.
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With Compliments:
Taylor Alden
media@tayloralden.co.uk
NOTE TO EDITOR:
Haddonstone is a trusted specialist in the design and manufacture of architectural and garden stonework. The ranges comprise cast stone architecture for residential and commercial projects, and beautiful formal and informal garden, home and landscape products.
All products are made to order in Northamptonshire and are available in both standard and bespoke designs. Stunning Show Gardens are located in East Haddon, near to the manufacturing facility.