In recent years, the green building movement has picked up speed. What many might have thought was just a trend at the time, has proven that it is now a way of thinking -- and designing. I have spoken with architects lately about current projects they are working on, and more often than not, the words "LEED certified" are brought up in the conversation. Building with the environment in mind is the norm now, and the architectural and design community are turning to materials that offer sustainability and contribute to LEED points.
While it can be argued that natural stone is the ultimate in sustainable material because it comes from the earth and provides a sense of permanence, there are questions about the energy it takes to produce the material and to transport it to a jobsite. LEED points are given if a stone is quarried within 500 miles of a project's location, but those in the stone industry believe there are more benefits to building with natural stone that need to be recognized.