Slate
Reference articles are in English.
Senedd — slate entrance wall by RSHP. Rough-faced Welsh slate clads the entrance wall beneath a sweeping timber canopy. Source
Description
Slate is a fine-grained metamorphic rock with cleavage that allows it to split into sheets. Grey and black are common, alongside green, purple and red varieties. Faces can be left riven or worked smooth. Its fine texture is useful for inscriptions and precisely composed surfaces.
History
Slate develops through the metamorphism of fine-grained sedimentary rock. Its ability to split into thin slabs underlies traditional uses in roofing, floors and writing surfaces, as well as later carved and designed objects.
Commissioning
The face, thickness, edge treatment and fixing should be specified together. For lettering, the layout and any colour fill should be reviewed on the actual slate. The layered structure remains relevant to the design of edges and supports.