Whether you want to translate your vision into project-ready visuals, check a product’s sustainability credentials or need technical support for a SuDS scheme, Tobermore’s Create & Construct service is here to help. It brings your ideas to life and streamlines the design process, while allowing you to specify with confidence and design with sustainability in mind. 

Launched in December ‘25, ​Create & Construct is the most comprehensive hard landscaping support hub on the market. It is designed to help simplify hard landscaping design by giving architects and landscape architects access to a comprehensive range of tools, resources, services and expert advice at every stage of a project. 

“Our research has shown that 71% of hard landscaping specifiers use a design service on most of their projects, and they value being able to access the support they need quickly,” said Lisa Gow, Head of Specification at Tobermore. “We have designed the Create element of Create & Construct specifically for architects, providing them with instant access to a suite of free online tools and resources that streamline the design process, bring concepts to life and specify with confidence.” 

“These online tools are supported by our design and technical teams, as well as our civil engineering partners, who are on to provide tailored advice and practical solutions to help overcome the unique challenges of each project.” 

Create is suitable for use during the early concept, planning, detail design and specification stages of a project. It combines an extensive range of different services to help users shape ideas, specify the correct products, and design sustainably. 

One of the key tools available through Create is Tobermore’s Product Design Assets. Developed to support architects and designers during the early stages of a project, the platform provides instant access to a comprehensive library of digital design resources that help simplify project planning, visualisation and specification.

Architects can download seamless swatches for all Tobermore block paving, slab paving, permeable paving, retaining walls and facing bricks products in all colours, sizes and laying patterns. This allows them to quickly incorporate products into working drawings and visualisations to see how completed schemes could look in situ. Compatible with SketchUp, Revit, Photoshop, AutoCAD (DWG and PAT files), the assets make it easier than ever to integrate Tobermore products into project designs. 

The design assets also provide access to a wide range of supporting resources, including laying patterns, Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), specification sheets and technical documentation. Multiple product files can be downloaded simultaneously, helping architects work more efficiently and specify with confidence by providing easy access to all the sustainability and product information they need.

Create also includes an extensive Inspiration Gallery, which shows Tobermore’s products being used in public realm, heritage, education, housing and leisure schemes, amongst others.  There are online tools to create mood boards, visuals and concept inspiration, as well as the option to arrange a Virtual Sample Studio session. This remote, real-time service allows specifiers to explore Tobermore’s products in detail, view samples and consult directly with the expert team via video call, helping bring creative visions to life. 

Architects also have access to Tobermore’s 2D and 3D design Services. The 2D service takes the design team’s plans and translates them into polished, project-ready drawings. The 3D Design Service helps bring concepts to life through project-specific CGI visuals that allow architects and specifiers to communicate their vision more effectively, showcasing the textures, patterns and surfaces that will shape the finished scheme.

There’s also comprehensive technical support, including fully indemnified permeable paving design and retaining wall design available. 

“Sustainability continues to be an important factor on nearly every project,” added Lisa. “So, we have incorporated vital information such as environmental data, permeable paving design, and retaining wall advice into the Create element of Create & Construct.” 

Create works in conjunction with Construct, which is designed to help contractors and installers take projects from tender through construction to post completion. It includes services to ensure construction and installation are correct, help solve technical challenges, and answer maintenance and care questions for the finished project, so that project teams can deliver with confidence.

How are architects using Create & Construct? 

Six months on from its launch, Create & Construct has become a go-to service for many architectural practices. The service has generated significant engagement, with more than 80 architects and designers downloading over 180 Product Design Assets in the first three months alone, highlighting the value of readily accessible design tools and technical resources.

Here are two projects that show how architects can use the Product Design Assets service to help simplify the design stage and make project planning easy. 

Verifying environmental credentials for a sustainable project 

Sustainability is becoming the backbone of construction projects, and it’s essential that the credentials of materials can be easily verified. This was an important consideration for the hard landscaping at Belmont Hall, a development of 400 homes in Antrim.  

To guarantee Belmont Hall respected the natural environment, the Antrim Construction Company (ACC) wanted to collaborate with a company committed to minimising environmental impact. Tobermore has consistently upheld responsible manufacturing practices aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of its operations.  

As a result, comprehensive and reliable environmental performance data is readily available for all Tobermore products. These Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) undergo independent verification to ensure the accuracy of each product’s environmental performance.  

Now, accessing EPDs is easier than ever through Tobermore’s Product Design Assets library. Bringing together EPDs, specification sheets, laying patterns and seamless swatches in one convenient location, the assets provide architects and designers with quick access to the information they need to support sustainable design and specification decisions. 

After assessing the EPDs, Tobermore’s facing bricks in both the Lansdowne and Kingston ranges were chosen for Belmont Hall, along with Slate Country Stone walling. The use of vibrant shades, Cottage Red, Charcoal and Slate amplified individuality through the complementary contrast of colour. The utilisation of various finishes of facing brick further enhanced the development’s character.  

Laying patterns that support wayfaring and create zones  

Wayfinding plays an important role in helping people navigate a space, and as the High Street Mall in Portadown demonstrates, carefully considered paving design can use contrasting colour, texture and material to guide movement and improve the user experience.

The £6m regeneration project required a new shopping centre layout, enhanced parking, greater town centre access and a new pedestrianised central plaza with modern landscaping. For the latter, Architect SDS (Structural Design Solutions) Ltd wanted to create a public realm feel for the whole community to enjoy.  

Anchor tenant Lidl was keen to mirror the scheme and embraced Tobermore’s complementary 2D & 3D design service, which now forms part of Create & Construct. They opted for 600m2 of Fusion paving to be laid outside their premises in keeping with the rest of the retail park.  

Unique laying patterns were used to ‘zone’ and break up space in the paved area to create spaces where people could gather and socialise. While bespoke laying patterns form part of Tobermore’s free design service, standard patterns are available for architects to download through Product Design Assets. 

With the laying patterns agreed, Fusion Oat and a small proportion of Mid Grey were used to zone ‘public’ areas like the courtyard at High Street Mall. Walkways featured Fusion in Silver and Mid Grey with a low percentage of Oat in the blend. These design choices distinguish each area while giving subtle references to each other.   

Create & Construct is free to use and brings together a comprehensive range of tools, resources and expert support to assist at every stage of your project. To use the service, simply visit ​​Create & Construct and move the slider to identify the services you need based on the stage of your project.