Stone from Honister Slate Mine is making a starring appearance in London following the unveiling of an architectural commission run by the Serpentine Galleries in London.

Material from England's last working slate mine has been used to clad the Serpentine Pavilion, an annual architecture commission run by the galleries which provides a global platform for experimental projects by some of the world's greatest architects.

In this year's commissoin, innovative architecture meets nature and centuries old heritage skills in a design by Japanese architect Junya Ishigami.

Visitors to Kensington Gardens in central London will be able to go inside and walk around Ishigami’s design, which has an organic, natural feel taking inspiration from roofs, the most common architectural feature used around the world.

The structure uses more than 61 tonnes of Honister green slate to create a single canopy of layered stone, appearing to emerge from the ground of the surrounding park.

Honister is not the only company in the North to be involved in the project.

It also used the behind-the-scenes fabrication skills of Yorkshire firm Stage One, as well as stonemasonry from Cumbria's Eden Stonework.

Joe Weir co-owner of Honister Slate Mine, said: "We’re a bit overwhelmed by the scale of the project. We’re just a small family run mine on a mountain. It makes us tingle with pride.

"This project is one-of-a-kind and an absolute privilege to enable and help realise the ideas of such an exciting architect.

"It’s a beautiful thing, the way Junya Ishigami is showcasing the natural qualities of the slate. His design reflects the rugged nature of the landscape we live and work in.

"We recommended several local stonemasons to Ted at Stage One and we’re chuffed that Eden Stonework were chosen to install the slate onsite.

"We’re proud to be keeping these centuries old stone masonry skills alive as part of the World Heritage Site story of the Lake District."

Ted Featonby at Stage One said: "This is the 11th year in a row Stage One have worked on the Serpentine Pavilion.

"It’s a pleasure to source and bring together independent Northern businesses to work on this project.

"The design was going to be sandstone, but then we started looking at slate. It was my wife, who used to live in Keswick, that suggested Honister slate.

"We came and got samples. The slate was distinctive and there was a synergy about the location with the ideology of the architect Junya Ishigami.’

Adam Knowles from Eden Stoneworks said: "It’s not like any job we’ve done before. We weren’t quite sure what to expect until we got onsite.

"The experimental form and design of the structure has pushed the boundaries of how the stones masons worked with the material, which we mainly use in more traditional applications.

"Delighted to take our Northern lads down to London to demonstrate the craftsmanship and creativity we have in Cumbria to an international audience."