Architect: Eric Coombe

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The huge shopping centre at Bluewater Park near Dartford in Kent was constructed back in 1998 and opened in 1999. Its American architect, Eric Coombe, had a clear vision for the look and feel of the Thames-side development, and that included a stone effect for all the internal glass reinforced gypsum (GRG) walls of the shopping malls within the centre. Its striking architecture and innovative retail design set Bluewater apart from other shopping destinations. It was Europe’s largest shopping centre when it was built. A competition was held among potential suppliers to create bespoke samples that Muralplast won with its faux stone rendering system. We provided an efficient, durable, and sustainable surface treatment that looks as good today as when it was first applied 12 years ago. The surface treatment was a bespoke formula created in our research and development facility and provides the entire infrastructure of the Bluewater Shopping Centre with the inspiring stone theme originally envisaged by its architect.