Our first stop was King’s Cross, a large-scale public realm defined by heavy footfall, mixed use and long-term material performance. The ground plane employs a varied stone palette including Caveness stone, finished in both flamed and leathered textures, alongside Cromwell stone and areas of porphyry, particularly around Granary Square and UAL. The flamed finish increases surface roughness through thermal shock, enhancing slip resistance and making it suitable for high-traffic and potentially wet areas. Leathered finishes, achieved through controlled abrasion, soften the surface while retaining durability, providing tactile contrast without compromising safety.

Texture was emphasised as it operates as a subtle wayfinding tool, guiding pedestrian movement without signage. This surface articulation is supported by unseen technical layers beneath, including bedding materials, jointing systems and drainage layers designed to manage loading, thermal movement and water ingress. These sub-surface assemblies ensure that visual consistency at ground level is maintained despite constant use, seasonal expansion and exposure to weather. The stop reinforced that successful public realm paving depends as much on build-up and tolerance control as on material choice.