specialist is required, it is costly, can be messy and time-consuming to make; prone to cracking, staining and bacterial growth. Not to mention the environmental impact of real concrete production is huge, even without the added weight of trend-led demand in residential design. Concrete also needs considerable maintenance. A true virtue of Caesarstone’s Rugged Concrete quartz material is its tactile texture; it has a coarse appearance that authentically emulates the randomly pitted finish of concrete, whilst remaining smooth to the touch.

Quartz is an ethical choice for eco-aware architects and is not so much an imitation, rather a superior alternative. Innovators such as Caesarstone use up to 42% reclaimed quartz in some materials, making a real impact on preserving the world’s precious resources. Sustainability and an awareness of the environment should be a fundamental part of any serious business. When specifying for a new project, it is important to look into the eco credentials of suppliers. Caesarstone, for example, is the first quartz manufacturing company to have received the British ISO 14001 certification – a standard that recognises competence in environmental management and performance.

The Caesarstone Concrete series embraces the trend for industrial decor and raw materials used in design. The Concrete Series comprises a variety of finishes that exquisitely achieve the coarseness of concrete to create a real design statement. The addition this year of 4033 Rugged Concrete strives to push these boundaries even further. Rugged Concrete will make a daring and bold addition to a room; its urban-inspired design, accentuated by dark grey tones and unique imperfections, offers a textured look to its finish.