#genr8

Looks like an ordinary clay block doesn't it - but it's not. The history, process, economics and environmental story behind it are fascinating...

We have just returned from a visit to the Wienerberger factory in Pannerden close to the Dutch/ German border, on the banks of the Rhine, with our clients Genr8 Developments, architects RHWL and Hardscape. The weather was grey, the subject matter seemingly equally so... or at least that's what we thought.

Holland is wet, or rather would be very wet (indeed underwater) were it not for the extensive network of levees and the constant dredging of the rivers along its edges. This perpetual battle to fight Mother Nature produces a valuable by-product - perfect alluvial clay. So here is the clever bit: -

1. Get paid by the Government to dredge the river;

2. Blend the clay;

3. Bake the blocks (600m per annum) then;

4. Sell 50% back to the Government to pave Holland's cities, towns and villages - job done!

So as we look to use a mere 4000m2 for the Stoke CBD, our clients should sleep soundly knowing they have 120 years of heritage behind them, an inexhaustible (and totally consistent) source of supply for future phases, and an incredibly sustainable solution - for once not shipped across the world from China.

Yet back home, the product is seen as 'novel' with very little specified, in the main due to lasting memories of ubiquitous, monotone 1980's 'pedestrianisation' schemes across middle England. The trip has taught us all we need to know, that this is not a fad; it has a crisp 'business-like' edge to rival cold granite and perhaps most importantly that the 'clay revolution' should begin in the birthplace of the world ceramics movement - Stoke-on-Trent.

Our pitch to Genr8 was based around the 'craft' of the Landscape Architect, and about founding our scheme around what makes Stoke unique. The clear narrative from natural base material to a warm, textural, flexible clay block is so very fitting for the CBD.