BUILD February 2017

70 BUILD / February 2017 , Always Moving Forward Drains covers and similar functional items, in the world of modern construction, have no real aesthetic value. They just serve a purpose – they stop our gardens, kitchens, bathrooms (and even our sitting rooms!) frombecoming paddling, or even swimming pools, in stormy weather. Drains are a necessary evil, and their ugly covers hide amultitude of sins. JohnHarte, Managing Director of Lateral Design Studio is daring to challenge the widely- held belief that functional items have no business being attractive. He asks the construction world to cast its mind back to school history lessons, to remember what they taught us about Classical Greek and Roman architecture, with its precision engineering, attention to detail and drive for aesthetic perfection. Or to the Gothic cathedrals of late-medieval Europe, where even the roof drainage systems consisted of ornately carved gargoyles. John is leading a modern Renaissance – bringing art back to the finer details of construction and architecture, asking “Why? Why shouldn’t we mix art with functionality? Why can’t we have works of art in the middle of our showers, or alongside our bi-fold patio doors and in our streets?” Lateral Design Studio, is doing just that, by taking the mundane, and transforming it into the remarkable. And to great acclaim. Since 2011, when the company was launched, Lateral has won five awards including two Sustainable Building Awards in 2016 – European Product of the Year and the Best for Targeted Construction Products. With a remarkable slate of clients, Lateral has provided 316 grade Stainless steel floor registers to Hampton Court Palace, cast iron channel drains, manholes and gully covers to Blackburn Cathedral, and it counts Grosvenor Estates in Belgravia and London Borough of Hackney Council as some of it esteemed clients. Increasing numbers of developers, Local Authorities and architects are approaching Lateral too, realising that the unpolished finish of a cheaply- made, unattractive grate or drain cover does little to enhance the impact of even the most exquisitely designed buildings or urban space. Lateral is the only company in the UK providing designed solutions to replace functional construction products - both inside and outside the home. It’s a family-run company, with John in the driving seat, his daughter in charge of sales, and partner, Anne, in accounts. The uses for its products are endless, from homes to businesses and landscape projects up and down the country and internationally. Lateral operates under three main brands, creating a range of functional, but yet beautiful products for internal and external use. They take a client’s brief and design in-house the products that always excel their clients’ expectations. Aquascape now fulfils the need for well-designed, good quality bespoke landscape components for the external and landscaping sector, from designer channel drain covers to decorative bespoke manhole covers and tree grates, they all receive the same treatment. The designs are pushed to the point where design meets function to produce a piece of art. They then enhance both the landscape area and the users experience. Their covers won the first SGD Society of Gardeners Designers product of the year and their products are highly sought after by professionals who really care about how their project will look on completion. Aqualevel, a new high performance modular drain system, offers level access through doors and a range of architectural quality covers. It means homeowners no longer have to use inefficient slot or pebble drains or unsightly plastic or galvanized steel ladder-style drains which scar their project. It gives a choice of architectural quality drain covers in a variety of designs and materials including stylish & modern stainless steel, smart & natural Jonite stone composite or classic & sophisticated cast iron. The Aquaduct range is produced for internal use, including, but not limited to, bathrooms, wet rooms, showers, air vents and floor registers. Aqua drains are available in square, combined, linear and round ranges and are made from 100% marine grade reclaimed stainless steel and are suitable for internal and external usage. As the creative powerhouse behind Lateral Design Studio’s innovative repatriation of art with utility, John was always innately drawn to the construction industry. He studied construction and construction drawing at school while working in a hardware store from the age of 16, a position which gave him the insight into all construction products - good and bad. Upon leaving his homeland in the Republic of Ireland, John