Even during the recent
economic downturn, stone and tile continue to remain popular material choices
when designing various spaces, especially in the residential sector. While
these materials create an aesthetically pleasing setting, they also have the
ability to increase value to one’s home, which is important for long-term
investment.
Mosaics have been adorning classic building
interiors for centuries, and when surveying many of today’s applications, it is
evident that they still hold their aesthetic value in contemporary design. And
with the broad range of materials, colors, sizes and finishes found in the
marketplace today, these tiny pieces are highly visible in a range of
residential and commercial applications.
Considered
to be a pioneer of the post-modernism architectural movement, Michael Graves,
FAIA, has been creating signature buildings around the world for decades. His
meticulous attention to detail and appreciation for natural building materials
are evident in all of his designs.
At
Villa della Torre di Fumane, a 16th-century structure outside of Verona, Italy,
the tranquil settings of the courtyard and garden spaces lie in stark contrast
to the “story” being told by the architecture. The space, which uses local
stone in a range of different applications, represents a tale of Biblical
proportions - at least according to some historians.
The concept for this article began with a sales call to a well-qualified client. We had done the granite in his neighbor’s house and came highly recommended. I had made two trips to the client’s house and had everything ironed out. He also wanted to replace his cabinets, and I recommended several of the cabinet shops that we work closely with. He assured me that after he had nailed down his cabinet situation the next week, he would go forward with the granite order. I considered it a done deal.
Arguably the most important five days for the construction industry in the Middle East, The Big 5 exhibition will take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 23 to 27, 2008. The event combines seven major exhibitions in the building trades, including one for stone products, and it will feature more than 2,500 exhibiting companies from 52 countries.
The Finland-based Ylamaa Group dates back to the late 1950s, when Jaakko Tielinen began his career as a stone contractor. It was not until 1974 that the company purchased its first quarry in Ylämaa Hirvihauta, Finland. Further expansion came in 1980, when Ylämaan Graniitti Oy, which is now part of the Ylamaa Group, was established with the sole purpose of processing stone from the company’s own quarries into floor tiles and three-dimensional pieces for building projects.
Since it first opened its doors for business in 1980, Dimpomar-Rochas Portuguesas Lda. of Vila Vicosa, Portugal, has continually expanded its brand. Initially starting out with only eight workers, the company now employs a staff of 77 - with six people recently hired to accommodate the demands of a second fabrication plant and a new warehouse.
Quarried and fabricated by Granitos Gomez Caceres, S.L. of Quintana De La Serena, Badajoz, Spain, a major architectural project - originally planned to be part of a park in Madrid, Spain - is being offered for sale to anyone looking to purchase 50 intricately carved solid granite columns.
Established as a quarrier of Greek marble in 1986, L.B. Naxos Marble, S.A. has shown steady expansion over the years, opening its first factory near Athens in 1992. Moreover, the last decade has been a time of growth for the company, as it has opened new branches and quarry sites and also purchased modern stoneworking equipment.
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