Unique Challenges and Clever Solutions: Engineered Countertop with Peter Cadoux Our team at Connecticut Stone recently had the pleasure of working with the talents of architect Peter Cadoux and Forehand & Lake Design on a truly one-of-a-kind countertop project that involved a great deal of brainstorming and problem-solving. At the end of the day, we were able to help deliver exactly what the client wanted: a beautifully engineered stone countertop with a breathtaking design. With a lot of trial and error over this eight-month project—and with the talents of Peter Cadoux—this became one of the most challenging yet equally rewarding jobs we’ve taken part in. More About the Project Initially, the idea for this countertop project came about when the client saw a table inside a furniture store; it featured a plain, rectangular top that was subdivided by metal strips. The client liked the look and wanted to create a large kitchen island that could also double as the main kitchen table for the entire family, using the same type of design. The desired length (14 feet) exceeded what usually is possible to create with engineered stone, so the design team had to find a way to make the table the requested size without leaving an unsightly seam in the center. The end goal was to deliver this same style—but in a way that appeared to be suspended and with an extremely unique and modern design. The client passed along their inspiration photo to their architect, Peter Cadoux and designer, Ray Forehand, and they brought it to us at Connecticut Stone to begin discussing what would need to be done to turn this idea into a reality. Special Challenges There were a couple of main structural and design challenges that played a part in this project. The client wanted to use a bright white stone material for the countertop that was extremely durable and functional and so she chose Pental Quartz Super White Polished engineered stone. The immediate challenge to solve was figuring out how to design, manufacture, transport, and install the 14-foot cantilevered table. This involved a lot of creative brainstorming and technical knowledge since a steel structural frame needed to be engineered, fabricated, and installed to support the weight of the large island. Another major challenge was figuring out how to incorporate the metal accent strips flush in the stone; this was not something we had not done before. Brainstorming Solutions Ultimately, we worked directly with a metal manufacturer to design a steel structure and frame that would essentially carry the load of the stone. We created a design that eloped a steel skeleton from the countertop which we then clad in engineered stone. In order to incorporate the metal accent strips, we also had to research and source the right metal to achieve the size, look, and feel the client desired. Throughout the process, the design had to be reworked a few times to ensure that the support structure would be truly invisible to the eye. The type of metal and how to install it flush with engineered stone was another important factor. The trick here was to design it in a way that the island top would not be bumpy – which would be undesirable when setting the table or decorating. The End Result We couldn’t be more thrilled with how this one-of-a-kind countertop turned out. Pental Quartz Super White Polished engineered stone, metal accent strips, and a lot of ingenuity, we were able to help transform the client’s concept into reality. The finished product is a very sleek and modern countertop that is as durable as it is beautiful, and we hope the clients will get to enjoy it for many years to come. For more information on sourcing natural stone for a project, contact our team at Connecticut Stone today.
