The legacy of designer Archibald Knox features prominently in the regeneration of Douglas, the capital of the Isle of Man, thanks to the Artscape waterjet cutting service offered by Hardscape, the hard landscaping product supplier with offices in Bolton, Stratford upon Avon and Belfast. Hardscape is part of the Ethical Trading Initiative Rajasthan Sandstone Project that aims to improve the conditions of workers in the quarries in the Indian province.

The project on the Isle of Man was initiated by Douglas Development Partnership (DDP), which wanted it to include a tribute to the work of Manx designer Archibold Knox, who would have been celebrating his 150th birthday on 9 April this year. Knox was one of the leaders of the English Art Nouveau movement. He was born in Douglas and lived there for much of his life. A blue plaque is being placed at the site of his family home.
The waterjet-cut reproduction of some of his designs inlaid in the paving have been produced as part of the scheme for which Hardscape has supplied a mixture of granites that include Kobra, Kobra Green, Classic, Royal White and Violet Pearl flamed slabs, as well as bespoke Crystal Black seating. The work being installed is an A to Y of Manx (its alphabet does not include ‘x’ or ‘z’) showing 24 letters, each one focusing on something to do with the Isle of Man, in a public space in the capital.

The paving has been designed by Liverpool landscape architect BCA Landscape. It has been created by Hardscape’s Artscape service using not just waterjet cutting but also intricately etched detailed finishing. It has been laid by the Department of Infrastructure on the Isle of Man.