Stone supplier AKDO has unveiled a trade showroom in the UK, as part of the Turkish Trade Centre in London, and launched slim slabs for the “affordable luxury market.”

Pictured – Chairman of AKDO Erdogan Akbulak at its UK trade showroom

Headquartered in Istanbul, the business has a showroom in New York and now has a dedicated trade showroom in the architectural design district of Clerkenwell.

AKDO supplies stone to architects and designers who work in hospitality and luxury residential developments, as well as those in the yacht industry.

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Chairman Erdogan Akbulak said the move to open a showroom in London was so the company could be closer to UK architects, which influence and supply the global market.

Now adding to its portfolio, AKDO has just launched Akdolam Edge, which has been created to provide natural stone to designers previously restricted by budget.

The 5.5mm thick stone, which measures 600 x 1200mm, is suitable for wall and floor applications in bathrooms and can be fitted over existing coverings.

Akdolam Edge has also been created to combat the challenge of engineered stone and porcelain, which is challenging the natural stone market.

Erdogan Akbulak commented: “Engineered stone or porcelain slabs have already taken market share from natural stone. I think this [Akdolam Edge] could be an answer.

“If we make natural stone less expensive, and in larger formats, we can change the minds of some decision makers because we know people prefer natural products. There is a trend towards biophilic design.”

It has been reflected in the interiors trend hypernature, where man-made products echo nature.

AKDO already has plans to increase the size of its UK trade showroom to display its latest Akdolam Edge slabs