From DIY spirit to professional skatepark design

Skateboarding thrives on diversity, creativity and a spirit of experimentation. It was precisely this ethos that gave rise to Yamato Living Ramps. “We didn’t start out as a craft business, but as part of the scene,” says Beckmann. Everything began in 2007 on an industrial wasteland with self-built ramps crafted from whatever materials were at hand, from scrap steel to tombstones.

Today, Yamato is a master craftsman company specialising in the construction of entire parks as well as precisely crafted components made of concrete and natural stone. “The original DIY spirit, ‘Don’t complain, just do it!’, lives on in every project,” explains Beckmann. The result is vibrant skateparks that inspire both professional and young riders alike.

belgrano® natural stone for rails and edges

Skateparks place extraordinary demands on materials: abrasion, impact and extreme stress are the standard. Natural stone, particularly granite, delivers the ideal combination of durability, longevity and visual variety.

While cast-in-place concrete forms the base surfaces, natural stone elements are primarily used for edges, seating or specially shaped rails. They withstand the concentrated stresses of skateboards, BMX bikes or scooters while maintaining their aesthetic appeal for years.

“The eye skates too,” Beckmann describes the design ambition. The surface variations of granite deliberately create subtle differences in ride feel, sound and resistance, making the skatepark engaging and dynamic.

Unlike concrete, which can develop cracks under load or weathering, natural stone elements retain their shape and surface over years. They are durable, resilient and can be reused or repurposed if needed.

Skateparks in Bad Vilbel and Ribnitz equipped with belgrano® granite. Source: Yamato Living Ramps

Practical examples

The Bad Vilbel skatepark project allowed Yamato Living Ramps to showcase its full expertise as general contractor. From the initial concept to the safety approval, all services came from a single source. Particularly striking is the noise barrier, which also functions as a ramp and climbing element. Here too, belgrano® natural stone is used for rails and benches.

In Frankfurt’s Heinrich-Kraft Park, belgrano® granite surfaces also serve as key design elements. Carefully ground and rounded slabs are combined with cast-in-place concrete. This creates durable riding surfaces that withstand even extreme stresses while adding visual highlights.

A particular challenge was to optimally balance material thickness, cost and durability. Thanks to close collaboration with BESCO Berliner Steincontor, the natural stone elements were delivered and installed precisely tailored to the parks’ requirements, according to Beckmann.

Custom designs and special orders

Each facility presents its own challenges: curves, edges, slopes and platforms must be executed with precision. Yamato develops both standardized components and bespoke solutions, tailored visually and functionally to the needs of the athletes. Special requests, such as custom edge treatments or material combinations, can be reliably realised thanks to close coordination with BESCO.

Precise fabrication and flexible coordination are essential to successfully realise exceptional skatepark projects. Material thickness is a key factor here: depending on the load, belgrano® granite can be used in thin form for paving surfaces or in solid form for rails and benches. Trying, adjusting, and balancing is the way to achieve long-lasting solutions.

Beckmann describes the collaboration with BESCO as exceptionally precise: “We communicate our ideas, and the result perfectly matches what we envisioned and agreed upon – that is true reliability.”

Munich Skate Hall and Bad Vilbel Skaterpark Mulde: Granite edges and seating modules made of belgrano® natural stone. Source: Yamato Living Ramps

Natural stone as a strategic choice

Skateparks put materials to the test: high point loads, abrasion and weather exposure challenge every surface. Granite proves a reliable partner here, excelling in impact resistance, low wear and ease of maintenance.

We thank Mr Beckmann and Yamato Living Ramps for their insights and the successful collaboration.

If you have any further questions or would like information specific to your project, please feel free to contact us at any time via our contact form or send us a message at mail@besco-gmbh.de. We will get back to you promptly.