Among the presentations at Piedra 2008, the international trade fair that took place in Madrid, Spain, an overview of the Spanish natural stone industry was offered by the Market Observatory for Natural Stone. This report, and others presented at Piedra 2008, detailed the size and activities of the Spanish stone sector on an international level.
The seventh edition of Piedra, the biennial international stone fair, took place in Madrid, Spain, from May 7 to 10, and it featured a full agenda of stone exhibitions, conferences and events. The trade fair welcomed some 33,509 professionals from around the world, who came to see 768 exhibitors and represented companies.
Since its inception nearly 30 years ago, the CarraraMarmotec trade fair in Carrara, Italy, has held a special connection with the nearby mountains of White Carrara marble - Michelangelo’s material of choice - as well as the stone artisans in the region. But this latest edition - held from May 29 to June 1 - was the first under a modified format that strengthens this bond, and it drew a higher level of international attendance than ever before.
The organizers of the Marmomacc stone fair in Verona, Italy, have traditionally conducted a number of programs for architects, with the goal of increasing awareness of the potential for natural stone in architecture and design. Among these is the “Building in Highlands” presentation on architecture in Alpine Switzerland, which is being coordinated by Vicenzo Pavan, the architectural consultant to Marmomacc.
Every October, the international stone industry turns its attention to the stoneworking region of Verona, Italy, for the Marmomacc trade fair, and this year’s event is set for October 2 to 5, 2008. Already established as the world’s leading international exhibition for natural stone, the event features an extensive exhibition of stone and technology, as well as a full agenda of initiatives that connect the industry and the architectural community.
The Chapman Cultural Center in Spartanburg, SC, was recently built to house eight independent organizations, including an Art Museum, a History Museum, a Music Foundation, a Science Center, an Arts Guild, the Partnership of Greater Spartanburg, a Ballet School and a 500-seat theater. The $47 million campus included the use of limestone from Indiana Limestone Co. of Bedford, IN, for exterior elements.
When the time arrived to renovate and expand the Koelbel Building, which houses the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business in Boulder, CO, the desire was to create a design that would stay true to the “Tuscan Vernacular” style of architecture that is prevalent on campus. To accomplish this task, the design team relied on a blend of Colorado sandstone, which was quarried at various sites in the region.
Just as stoneworking technology continues to evolve and advance, the products used for countertop installation are also on the rise. Products for transport, protection and sink installation are available from a number of recognized stone industry sources. The following is a sampling of some of the products on the market today.
Although Stone Concepts of Eagle, CO, may sometimes only complete one house a week, owner Mike Hamrick explained that the work his company performs is very unique. “This isn’t your basic fabrication process -- this is [working with] custom, and at times, one-of-a-kind creations,” he said. “You don’t see many tract homes in these resort areas, so a majority of the work is very [detailed] and therefore time consuming.”
Owner Fernando Cantarilho had his first stone-related experience in Portugal before immigrating to the U.S. and opening his own company, Fernando’s Marble Shop, Inc., a family owned and operated fabrication operation located in Rockville, MD. The company began in 1979 as strictly a marble shop and later incorporated granite production in order to meet customer demands.
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