Belvedere, Oxfordshire
Belvedere is a finely detailed garden building in Oxfordshire where stone carving, proportion and classical composition come together.
Commissioned by a private client and designed by Jonathan Lees Architects LLP, the project showcases the full range of AFJONES’ stonemasonry skills in design, manufacture, carving and construction, and was recognised with a Natural Stone Awards Craftsmanship win in 2020.
CLASSICAL ARCHITECTURE
IN YORK STONE
ARTS AND CRAFTS
INFLUENCE
The belvedere takes its name from the Italian for “beautiful view”, and the architecture lives up to it.
Classically inspired and influenced by Arts & Crafts and the work of Edwin Lutyens, the composition centres on three-quarter engaged, fluted and entasised Corinthian columns supporting a prominent entablature, raking pediment and decorated tympanum.
The result is a building that feels both formal and finely judged, sitting naturally within its landscape.
EXCEPTIONAL CARVING
AND DETAIL
Throughout the scheme, the richness lies in the detail.
Bead-and-reel mouldings, egg-and-dart dentils, bluebell and rose bosses, and voluted scroll consoles are all carved in York stone (Woodkirk), each element carefully modelled to read clearly in shadow and light.
The variety of motifs is unified by disciplined proportion and consistent craftsmanship.
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
IN PARTNERShip
AFJONES worked closely with Jonathan Lees Architects to develop the design from pencil sketches into fully detailed drawings.
Stone was selected from Woodkirk quarries with great care to ensure clean, consistent blocks for every component.
Trial carvings were undertaken to test proportions and refine profiles, and trial assemblies in the Ipsden workshops allowed all pieces to be checked for fit before work moved to site.
FULL-RANGE MASONRY SKILLS
WORKSHOP TRIALS AND
QUALITY CONTROL
As main contractor, AFJONES coordinated design development, stone procurement, carving, fabrication and build on site.
The project drew on a broad set of skills, from accurate setting-out and profiling to high-level carving and careful assembly, resulting in a building where every face and junction has been considered.
AWARD-WINNING
STONE CRAFT
The use of workshop mock-ups and trial assemblies meant that complex intersections were resolved before construction, reducing risk on site and ensuring that the finished belvedere matched the architect’s precise intent.
Cleanly selected York stone and controlled detailing will allow the building to weather gracefully over time.
AN ENDURING ADDITION TO
THE ESTATE
Belvedere was recognised by the Stone Federation’s Natural Stone Awards in 2020, winning in the Craftsmanship category.
It stands as a clear demonstration of how traditional stonemasonry, informed by classical precedent and delivered with modern tools and processes, can create a small building of exceptional quality and presence.
The project underlines AFJONES’ role as a partner for highly crafted stone architecture.
By bringing together design support, stone selection, carving and on-site construction under one roof, the team were able to deliver a belvedere that not only meets a demanding brief but also adds a lasting, characterful landmark to the estate.
RESOURCES &
Education
Stone has shaped architecture for centuries, and it continues to define the most ambitious projects today
At AFJONES, we make stonework possible at the highest level by combining artistry, engineering, and generations of craft knowledge.
Our integrated process covers every stage, from early consultation and design input through to workshop production and on-site installation. This ensures that projects are delivered seamlessly and with absolute precision.
