Brass-Inlaid Granite Compass Rose at Donegall Quay, Belfast
Located along the River Lagan, Donegall Quay forms part of Belfast’s evolving waterfront — a key public realm connecting the city centre with the riverfront. The area has been carefully designed to encourage movement, orientation and engagement with the surrounding landscape, using durable, high-quality materials suited to a busy urban environment.
Project Overview
This project was commissioned as part of a wider public-realm paving scheme supplied by Stonepave, who engaged us to produce the bespoke granite compass rose and brass inlay detailing. The feature was designed to act as both a navigational marker and a visual focal point within the quayside promenade.
Granite Engraving and Brass Inlay
At the centre of the scheme is a large-format compass rose, fabricated from engraved granite paving and finished with solid brass inlays. Each directional point, radial line and circular element was precision-cut to ensure accuracy and balance within the overall design.
The process involved:
Engraving the granite to exact tolerances
Designing and waterjet cutting the brass name panels
Inlaying solid brass into the stonework
Finishing each element to ensure durability in an exposed riverside setting
The warm tone of the brass contrasts with the granite, allowing the compass to read clearly within the paving while developing a natural patina over time.
Built for the Public Realm
Given its prominent location and constant foot traffic, the compass rose was engineered for long-term performance. Both granite and brass were selected for their strength, weather resistance and suitability for public-realm environments, ensuring the feature will remain legible and visually strong for many years.
A Subtle Landmark on the Waterfront
The completed compass rose provides a moment of pause and orientation along Donegall Quay — a crafted detail that enhances the wider landscape without overpowering it. It demonstrates how engraved stone and metal inlay can be used to create meaningful, permanent features within civic spaces.
Collaborative Stone Fabrication
This project highlights the value of collaboration between stone suppliers and specialist fabricators, combining Stonepave’s material supply expertise with our experience in precision stone engraving and brass inlay. The result is a refined public-realm feature that balances function, durability and visual impact.