The investment beauty in stone art in Kenya

The use of stone art in giving buildings an aesthetic finish is an old trade that is experiencing a rebirth in Kenya.

The Greeks, Indians, Chinese and Africans have ancient stone art that dates back centuries. In fact, some of the world’s greatest and most enduring pieces of art involved the use of stones, for instance, the Egyptian tombs and pyramids, and the Great Wall of China.

Six years ago, Stone Arts Gallery decided to take a leap of faith and set up in Kenya, with the proprietor starting out from a friend’s place before moving to a workshop in Nairobi’s Kasarani. The business decided on the country because the use of stone finishes was underdeveloped.

It has proven to be a smart investment.

The company has showrooms in Parklands and at the Galleria Shopping Mall in Nairobi, where it has a wide range of products on display, from floor finishes to sculptures.

Its ‘Dancing Man’ sculpture (pictured), for instance, took about four weeks to finish, and costs Sh290,000.

Sanket Tandon, who is Stone Arts’ marketing and business development manager, said finishing construction using stone is spreading rapidly, even outside Nairobi.

The business has since spread outside Kenya to Rwanda, where it recently handled a construction project dubbed Kigali Heights. It also supplies different kinds of stone, including sandstone, limestone, slate and marble, in India (where the firm has existed for 18 years), France, Dubai and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mr Tandon said one of the most popular stone finishes today is cladding, which is used on walls.

“The price of claddings range from Sh2,400 to Sh7,200 per square metre, depending on the finishing desired and the client’s tastes.”

Décor stone flooring, which is also widely in used for its aesthetic appeal and durability compared to normal flooring, cost between Sh3,000 and Sh6,000 per square metre.

Other products the firm supplies include columns, door surrounds, gate piers, window heads and sills, fireplaces, lighting fixtures and materials for restoration of dilapidated buildings.

There are also different types of finishes available for stone products. For instance, granite products have up to six different finishes, including bush hammered (which has a textured feel) or leather, depending on what a customer prefers.

So where does Stone Arts get its stone from?

Tandon said the business imports a lot of what it uses, as this is cheaper than making local purchases.

“The prices here are very expensive and prohibitive to business,” he said.

He added that the secret to the company’s success has been referrals from happy customers. Stone Arts also works with professionals in the construction sector, including architects, designers and contractors, to boost its business.

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