Pavers for the 21st century

Metrik paving, a new addition to the Polbruk range, fully meets these expectations. It is ideal for use as a paving material for paths, walkways, courtyards, terraces and driveways around modern homes. It meets all the criteria of contemporary modernism: it is grey, symmetrical, rectangular and... concrete. It is available in various shades named ‘white’, ‘steel’ and ‘basalt’. A touch of finesse is added by the fact that one of the shades, called ‘nerino’, has a slightly mottled texture.

‘Metrik’ comes in a single size – 7x28 cm. This does not mean that the designs created using it are uninteresting; quite the opposite. There is nothing to stop you from laying it as a single-colour surface, but compositions combining several shades of grey to create a mosaic will certainly look more striking. Metrik will look superb in a classic layout – alternating with or without an offset. Another method, dating back to the Roman Empire and currently making a comeback, is to lay it in a ‘herringbone’ pattern.

It is worth adding edging or palisades with a consistent appearance to a surface made of Metrik pavers. These will act as a kind of compositional frame for a promenade, avenue or driveway, and separate footpaths from greenery. Suitable for this purpose are edging elements in shades of grey and designed for modern architecture, such as Polbruk, Modern, Flesz, or palisades such as Zen or Hestra.

Once we have designed modern footpaths, it is worth selecting appropriate greenery for our garden. It is important to remember that in the modern style, symmetry and sharp, straight lines are key. Furthermore, the ground cover must contrast with the natural greenery. It should be trimmed geometrically and planted in clusters. Ornamental grasses (such as a vertical accent), rows of compact trees or shrubs, ideally surrounded by light-coloured pebbles or gravel, are recommended. It is worth adding a few perennials to such a composition, such as giant garlic, small-leaved lavender or ferns. There are certainly many more possibilities; it is worth experimenting to create your own 21st-century space.