https://www.stoneworld.com/rss/3027-renovation-restoration en-us richinellij@bnpmedia.com (Jennifer Richinelli) In May of 2025, the Michael C. Rockefeller Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) in New York City reopened to the public after a four-year renovation project, which included reviving and matching its historic Stony Creek granite flooring.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95603 Wed, 22 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95603-new-museum-wing-exhibits-ties-to-historical-stone Antolini supplied its luxury stone products for a sophisticated restoration project in Cortina d’Ampezzo that redefines the dialogue between architecture and nature.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95314 Fri, 14 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/95314-mountain-home-celebrates-the-luxurious-quality-of-natural-stone Grey Roots marble kameryj@bnpmedia.com (Jason Kamery) The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) recently completed a meticulous restoration of the marble foyer floor at Rienzi, its house museum for European decorative arts. 

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/94741 Mon, 28 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/94741-museum-of-fine-arts-houston-restores-historic-marble-floor-at-rienzi rienziBefore.jpg Photos courtesy of International Stoneworks rienziAfter.jpg Photos courtesy of International Stoneworks richinellij@bnpmedia.com (Jennifer Richinelli) A panel discussion during a recent Stone Industry Education event in Houston, TX, discussed practicalities of maintenance and restoration of natural stone surfaces. 

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/94691 Fri, 11 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/94691-how-to-handle-stone-staining-and-what-to-do-to-avoid-it-from-the-start Arranging the ceramic tiles creatively, the design team transformed the space in a unique and original way.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/94551 Wed, 05 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/94551-custom-made-ceramics-transform-residential-design Madrid Apartment Renovation Photo courtesy of WOW Design@javierdepaz Madrid Apartment Renovation Photo courtesy of WOW Design@javierdepaz Madrid Apartment Renovation Photo courtesy of WOW Design@javierdepaz Madrid Apartment Renovation Photo courtesy of WOW Design @javierdepaz Madrid Apartment Renovation Photo courtesy of WOW Design@javierdepaz Madrid Apartment Renovation Photo courtesy of WOW Design@javierdepaz Madrid Apartment Renovation Photo courtesy of WOW Design@javierdepaz richinellij@bnpmedia.com (Jennifer Richinelli) The freshly renovated Michigan Central Station is now a stunning part of the Ford Motor Co. campus.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/94442 Tue, 17 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/94442-stone-restoration-revives-detroit-landmark Italian stone producer Antolini partnered with Jeffrey Florentine, CEO and founder of JSF Design in Scottsdale, AZ, to complete a radical renovation of a residence in Arizona with a selection of stunning stone from its Natural Stone Collection.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/93486 Tue, 31 Oct 2023 09:38:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/93486-luxury-stone-transforms-arizona-residence 2.jpg 3.jpg 4.jpg 5.jpg 6.jpg 7.jpg 8.jpg 9.jpg When the $6.7 million restoration project was announced in February 2021, Richter Architects were determined to bring the courthouse back to its original glory.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/92729 Fri, 25 Nov 2022 07:00:00 -0500 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/92729-a-solution-to-restoring-a-travertine-facade SW 1122 Merkrete Courthouse 01 Photos provided by Merkrete SW 1122 Merkrete Courthouse 02 SW 1122 Merkrete Courthouse 03 SW 1122 Merkrete Courthouse 04 Jacqueline Tabbah of International Stoneworks sat down with Jason Kamery, Stone World’s managing and group digital editor, to share details of a recent restoration project that she and her team worked on.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/92487 Thu, 07 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/92487-video-church-restoration-project-with-jacqueline-tabbah Sam Kim, senior vice president of product for MSI, provides insight into the residential building market, as it applies to hard surfaces.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/92229 Thu, 10 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/92229-the-state-of-residential-building kameryj@bnpmedia.com (Jason Kamery) Located in downtown Houston, TX, a building clad in white marble was spray painted over a weekend. Jacqueline Tabbah and her team at International Stoneworks were called on a Monday morning to evaluate the damage.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/91804 Sun, 04 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/91804-restoring-a-white-marble-facade onsite evaluation “Before we do any job, we do an onsite evaluation,” said Jacqueline Tabbah. “We need to see what it looks like; how bad it is. We quickly got downtown and evaluated it. It was pretty sizeable. Obviously, we were able to schedule the job pretty quickly.” Natural Stone Institute After arriving downtown and inspecting the damage, a large amount of black spray paint on a honed marble surface, they were able to get to work right away. “The way you handle paint removal from stone has very specific steps you have to take,” said Tabbah. “We consulted with the Natural Stone Institute; they have a dimensional stone manual. The first thing was just cleaning it with a nylon brush and paint remover. Paint remover is more like a gel.” S.A.C., stain absorbing compound “We mixed the poultice with a compound called S.A.C., stain absorbing compound, as well as with the paint remover,” said Tabbah. “The way the poultice is applied is you mix the two together. They become a muddy substance. You apply it to the surface of the stained areas, then cover it with plastic, tape down the edges with blue tape and leave it overnight.” poultice “We came back the next morning, cleaned it off and did an evaluation,” Tabbah went on to say. “We saw it was about 50% better, but it was not all gone. We applied a second application of the poultice. We left it there overnight, came back the next morning and started cleaning it off and it looked much better. So we removed the rest of the poultice with a pressure washer with a fan tip. It looked significantly better. Then within time, it has also faded as well. Whatever we were not able to remove, in time, you can’t see it anymore. You would drive by that building today and would never know.” kameryj@bnpmedia.com (Jason Kamery) http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/91442 Mon, 06 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/91442-a-monumental-stone-collaboration Old Parkland North Campus Located in Dallas, TX, the Old Parkland North Campus features variegated limestone from Indiana, extracted at a quarry adjacent to one that more than 90 years ago produced the stone for the facade of the Empire State building. Photos by Steve Hinds Photography© Rob Barnes III, president and CEO of Dee Brown, Inc. “Architecturally, the campus is built in what would be classed as Jeffersonian Architecture utilizing handmade wood-mold brick and ultimately Indiana limestone,” said Rob Barnes III, president and CEO of Dee Brown, Inc. hand-carved limestone pieces The project features 180 total hand-carved limestone pieces — four ocean containers of “hand-carved” figures, such as a beast, ram, cornucopia, wind angels and Corinthian capitals — that were carved and shipped from Mexico. variegated Indiana limestone from Bedford, IN The project consisted of 8,310 cut-to-size pieces of variegated Indiana limestone from Bedford, IN, where it was fabricated. intricately carved limestone “Almost 70,000 cubic feet of intricately carved limestone required a significant amount of coordination through the shop drawing, engineering and fabrication sequencing and delivery to a very constrained site,” said Barnes. steel backup structural Challenges specific to design and installation had to do with the steel backup structural and how the back of the limestone material interfaced with an ever-changing space to the face of the backup wall. Tim Hughes, senior vice president of Dee Brown, Inc “Dee Brown Inc. was on the project site for 21 months, averaging 46.6 employees per day with having 80 employees at the height of construction,” said Tim Hughes, senior vice president of Dee Brown, Inc. “Dee Brown, Inc. assigned eight superintendents/foremen, three labor foreman and two full-time safety coordinators during the construction phase of the project, who worked 133,000 man-hours with 21% being overtime." richinellij@bnpmedia.com (Jennifer Richinelli) http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/91308 Sun, 12 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/91308-preserving-stonework-of-an-institution Newberry Library in Chicago, IL, Originally designed by notable Chicago architect Henry Ives Cobb in the Romanesque Revival style, the Newberry Library in Chicago, IL, is an architectural gem. Recently its historic stonework was restored and the building was adapted to offer more space to visitors. Photos by Tom Rossiter/www.tomrossiter.com, except where noted Ann Beha Architects of Boston, MA “The original floor of the first-floor lobby was inspired by Roman (Pompeiian) tesseract mosaics; its regular patterns composed of irregularly placed stone tiles,” explained the design team from Ann Beha Architects of Boston, MA. restoring the mosaic To restore the mosaic, the team first cleaned the tile and grout and carefully removed tiles from damaged or deteriorated areas. Marble tiles in good condition were salvaged and reserved for re installation. The team then matched and replaced existing stones, patterns and mortar to preserve the patina of age. Large-format pieces of Vermont Danby marble Large-format pieces of Vermont Danby marble were used for various flooring applications throughout the library, including the bookshop. interior marble All of the interior marble was cleaned as part of the restoration process. white-gray marble wainscoting and a black soapstone wall base Much of the interior stone includes white-gray marble wainscoting and a black soapstone wall base. White Carrara countertop The reception desk features a White Carrara countertop. Stony Creek granite It was determined that the exterior Stony Creek granite, which was originally used for pavers at the entry (step/plinth) and an existing stone bench, was cleaned; metallic stains removed. Stony Creek Granite quarry in Branford, CT The restoration project included adding two new benches and a new walkway to an ADA lift made of Stony Creek granite, which came from the original Stony Creek Granite quarry in Branford, CT. http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/91298 Tue, 07 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/91298-investing-and-caring-for-a-historic-asset Cordova Cream limestone exterior Occupying a 1 1/5-acre city block, the Fort Worth Post Office was originally built in the 1930s and overtime its Cordova Cream limestone exterior has been affected by outdoor elements, which has resulted in its cleaning twice in the past few decades. Photo courtesy of Ashley Tullis Photography cleaning was previously performed with PROSOCO products The most recent cleaning was performed with PROSOCO products in 2015. Photo courtesy of Ashley Tullis Photography influenced Corinthian capitals The building’s regionally influenced Corinthian capitals consist of shorthorn cattle, acanthus leaves and longhorn Bucrania — a nod to the importance of the cattle industry and its economic impact on Fort Worth. Photo courtesy of Ashley Tullis Photography Restoring and preserving its ornate public face Restoring and preserving its ornate public face pays tribute to local master craftsmen and artisans. stone restoration included a low-pressure spray cleaning The latest stone restoration included a low-pressure spray cleaning of all exterior surfaces (steps and walls), abatement, re-cleaning and new paint for all exterior windows. Photo courtesy of PROSOCO PROSOCO’s Sure Klean products PROSOCO’s Sure Klean products were used to restore the surface’s beauty and maintain the older masonry of the Fort Worth Post Office. Photo courtesy of PROSOCO Carbon staining from environmental pollutants Carbon staining, usually dark brown, gray or black, is a typical result of repeated exposure to automobile traffic and burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gasoline, etc.). These pollutants leave a sticky water-resistant film over the face of the substrate. Airborne pollutants adhere to the film and progressively accumulate on the surface. Photo courtesy of PROSOCO 62-FortWorth_08.jpg On acid-sensitive carbonate surfaces, like the Fort Worth office’s Cordova Cream limestone, acid rain further erodes carbon accumulation from projecting elements, resulting in pronounced streaking. Carbon stains also accumulate in carved recesses that are not exposed to rain washing. When exposed to heavy pollution, many of these substrates can develop carbon stains that obscure the entire surface. Photo courtesy of PROSOCO kameryj@bnpmedia.com (Jason Kamery) Is quartz still rising in popularity? Are miters still a favorite? Is natural stone being used anywhere else but countertops? Over the years, trends seemed to be somewhat stagnate. But some new design trends are becoming apparent.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/91157 Tue, 21 Jan 2020 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/91157-current-stone-trends-in-home-design Buddy Ontra, owner of Ontra Stone Concepts in Bridgeport, CT “A couple of years ago, the quartz market took over because, I believe, of their aggressive marketing,” said Buddy Ontra, owner of Ontra Stone Concepts in Bridgeport, CT. “I am now seeing more natural stone on my end and the reason I specify ‘on my end’ is because I have been doing a lot of multi-family units — like affordable condos and apartments — and I am seeing some of the old classic granites becoming popular again. Dave Scott of Slabworks of Montana “Mitering and waterfall ends are extremely popular here,” said Dave Scott of Slabworks of Montana. floor-to-ceiling fireplace stonework “Fireplace wraps in natural stone have always been popular,” said Scott. “But now what we are seeing is even more floor-to-ceiling fireplace stonework.” stone fabricators in residential spaces “But we are definitely seeing more floor-to-ceiling fireplaces and it’s a great upsell,” said Scott. “It’s not a lot of square feet usually — most of the houses can use it if they are putting in a firebox of some sort. Definitely something for fabricators to keep an eye on.” With the objective of making stone installation and repair easier and more accurate, manufacturers continually work to develop new and improved products to meet the demand. The following is a sampling of the latest products for adhesion and chip/stain repair available on today’s market.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90999 Wed, 02 Oct 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90999-whats-new-in-adhesives-chip-and-stain-repair-technology kameryj@bnpmedia.com (Jason Kamery) The Royal Alberta Museum is the largest museum in Western Canada. It originally opened in 1967 and was called, at the time, the Provincial Museum of Alberta. In 2011, construction of a completely new museum was announced and started in 2014. The museum was finished two years later in 2016.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90940 Fri, 06 Sep 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90940-specifying-indiana-limestone-with-the-environment-in-mind Specifying Indiana limestone with the environment in mind In 2011, construction of a completely new building for the Royal Alberta Museum was announced and the work began in 2014. Indiana limestone was specified for the interior and exterior design due to its durability and sustainable characteristics. Steve Schrenk, digital media director and design consultant for Polycor ”The goal was to create an identifiable focal point in the downtown Edmonton Arts District by building a new museum to replace the older one that was constructed in 1967,” said Steve Schrenk, digital media director and design consultant for Polycor. Indiana limestone withstands long-term freeze/thaw cycles Stone was an important choice because of the weather in Edmonton, which can vary from negative 40 degrees to 95 degrees throughout the year. Indiana limestone was suitable because of its ability to withstand ongoing, long-term freeze/thaw cycles. North American quarried Indiana limestone from an NSC-373 approved quarry “One of the goals of the museum was to achieve LEED Silver certification, but they exceeded that and wound up receiving LEED Gold certification from the project, in part due to the use of North American quarried Indiana limestone from an NSC-373 approved quarry,” said Schrenk. The new Royal Alberta Museum “The new Royal Alberta Museum set out to thoughtfully preserve and share the story of Alberta and honor its past in a new way,” said Schrenk. “It’s been reassuring to hear how the perception of the building is that it’s inspiring and its design serves as a connection to generations to come.” The Neptune Pool at Hearst Castle is located on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean above San Simeon, CA, this iconic marble pool was inspired by the stunning location and equals the extravagant architecture of the castle itself.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90894 Fri, 09 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90894-preserving-an-architectural-treasure Neptune Pool at Hearst Castle in San Simeon, CA This case study was provided by Custom Building Products. California Department of Parks and Recreation, Sacramento, CA Architect: Page & Turnbull, San Francisco, CA General Contractor: T.B. Penick & Sons, Inc., San Diego, CA Conservator: Risser Conservation Services Stone Supplier & Consultant: Sutherland Falls Stoneworks Inc., Proctor, VT Stone Fabricator & Carver: Proctor Marble Company, Proctor, VT Tile Contractors: Carnevale & Lohr, Inc., Charles McCandless Tile, Inc. Installation Products: Custom Building Products This case study was provided by Custom Building Products kameryj@bnpmedia.com (Jason Kamery) Stone World spoke with Laura Grandlienard of Rockin’ teriors in Raleigh, NC, about challenges she and her company face while installing stone

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90884 Thu, 01 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90884-challenges-with-stone-installations Laura Grandlienard, of Rockin’ teriors “At the template, the key factor is making sure cabinets are completely level and squared,” said Laura Grandlienard, of Rockin’ teriors. “Cutting the 45 degree edges must be done at a pace that is not too slow and not too fast or the chance of chipping the stone will happen. Additionally, our cutter will spend the extra time to make sure the veining lines up as much as possible for a beautiful waterfall effect.” giant slab wall cladding installation “There are several factors that need to be considered before agreeing to a giant slab wall cladding installation,” said Grandlienard. “First and foremost is the ability to guide and fit the full piece in the home/building through doorways, hallways, elevators, stairwells, etc.” builder/contractors must have scaffolding, crane or lifts available “We have worked with our builder/contractors to have the proper scaffolding, crane or lifts available for our men to use to get in to these higher floors for install,” said Grandlienard. “Every install poses its different challenges, so walking the property in advance to ensure that the proper equipment is available as well as ensuring pathways are clear and entryways can be accessed is key to making the installation run smoothly.” custom designed integrated sink and floating mitered panels “The first project that comes to mind was a bathroom vanity that we built out of quartzite material including a custom designed integrated sink and floating mitered panels,” said Grandlienard. “All back and underlit for added effect.” OSHA compliance and safety standards “As with any installation, we make sure we photograph or videotape the final product to ensure that should anything become damaged after we have left the property, we are not held liable,” said Grandlienard. “For difficult installs we normally will video not only for our selling purposes, but also for a record to show our OSHA compliance and safety standards.” proper amount of wood support “Adding the proper amount of wood support underneath is also key especially where there is seated overhang,” Grandlienard. “We make sure to wrap stone or wood underneath and then make sure it is flush and smooth to the touch.” The Pinnacle Awards competition is open to natural stone professionals from around the world and are presented to projects whose beauty, creativity, ingenuity and craftsmanship exemplify professional mastery in the use of natural stone in commercial and residential applications.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90860 Mon, 15 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90860-pinnacle-award-winners kameryj@bnpmedia.com (Jason Kamery) The recent expansion of Midtown Athletic Club and Hotel transformed what was the largest indoor tennis club in the country into the largest lifestyle center in the country. The hybrid health club and hotel exudes intentional details designed by DMAC Architecture, located in Evanston, IL.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90845 Tue, 02 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90845-a-unique-selection-of-stone Dwayne MacEwen, principal at DMAC Architecture According to Dwayne MacEwen, principal at DMAC Architecture, in designing the 250,000-square-foot expansion, the lobby needed to give a first impression and be consistent with the overall design. Midtown, granite blocks are showcased “In the lobby at Midtown, granite blocks are showcased to tell their story,” said MacEwen. “While considering the wall cladding for the lobby, we knew we wanted a natural material that would be unexpected. In the process, we came across some end blocks of Absolute Black granite, blasted from the mountainside with deep grooves and rough edges. 40 linear feet of granite blocks “We used 40 linear feet of granite blocks as the backdrops of the lobby and another 10 linear feet of block for the reception desk,” said MacEwen. Boston-based architectural firm, Finegold Alexander Architects, recently transformed Boston University’s (BU) historic Tudor Revival-style castle into the new Dahod Family Alumni Center.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90843 Tue, 02 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90843-renovating-a-collegiate-sandstone-landmark Boston University’s Dahod Family Alumni Center Boston University’s renowned castle, which was built in 1915, was recently restored and transformed into the Dahod Family Alumni Center, which serves BU’s 300,000-plus graduates. Photos courtesy of Raj Das Photography 15,371-square-foot structure clad in sandstone The 15,371-square-foot structure is clad in sandstone, which was carefully cleaned, repointed and patched to restore the building back to its original grandeur. Photos courtesy of Raj Das Photography Berea Sandstone™ from Cleveland Quarries Replacement stones made of Berea Sandstone™ were provided from Cleveland Quarries in Vermilion, OH. 9,500 square feet of sandstone In total, approximately 9,500 square feet of sandstone was restored on the exterior of the castle. richinellij@bnpmedia.com (Jennifer Richinelli) During the many years that I have been with Stone World I have sat in on more fabricator forums, workshops and other industry events where ideas and experiences are discussed than I can count.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90730 Wed, 01 May 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90730-stone-column-communication-and-success-go-hand-in-hand richinellij@bnpmedia.com (Jennifer Richinelli) Once a lavish Turkish bath, the members’ shower area at the historic Racquet Club of Philadelphia had lost its luster. The building itself, which was designed by Horace Trumbauer and constructed in 1906, sits in Center City and is well known for its multiple levels of activity areas.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90712 Mon, 15 Apr 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90712-reviving-the-stonework-of-a-philadelphia-landmark Racquet Club of Philadelphia, PA accelerating failure of the structural slab Besides its worn appearance, previous repairs failed to fully correct persistent leaks at the shower walls, with the result of accelerating failure of the structural slab below. well-defined shower and toilet areas with handicap accessibility After the repairs were complete, the newly reconfigured spaces were built, creating well-defined shower and toilet areas with a floor that was elevated and sloped to allow for both proper drainage and full handicap accessibility. White Italian marble and mahogany woodwork The white Italian marble pairs well with the mahogany woodwork, creating a sophisticated and well-designed space. Raquet Club of Philadelphia Sparked by the need for structural repair, a renovation of the members’ shower area at the Raquet Club of Philadelphia also included cleaning and repair of the stonework. Bianco Carrara marble in Turkish bath Originally designed as a Turkish bath, a focal point of space was bench made from Bianco Carrara marble. “We knew right away that the bench could and should be salvaged and reused,” said John Cluver of Voith & Mactavish Architects LLP in Philadelphia, PA, the architectural firm that was commissioned for the renovation/restoration project. original marble was salvaged The original marble was salvaged where possible, and was supplemented by new matching marble to create a seamless integration of old and new. A vandal singled out a 100-year-old Italian bas-relief carving of the Last Supper, making the historic work of marble his personal piñata. After shaking my head, and wondering just what is wrong with people, I told my wife, “I should go down there and see if I can help fix the damage.”

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90686 Wed, 03 Apr 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90686-restoring-the-stonework-at-our-lady-of-lourdes CNC technology used for stonework CNC technology used for stonework CNC technology assisted in the creation of the new altar and other stone elements. Carrara marble stairs leading to the altar The last phase of the renovation project was a series of radius stairs leading to the altar. A total of 22 two slabs of Carrara marble were used with the middle landing section being as large as the slabs would allow — about a half ton each in this case. Marble book holder added to the existing historic pulpit The first project was to add a marble book holder to the existing historic pulpit in a way that it didn’t look like an add-on. Marble book holder added to the existing historic pulpit Mario & Son original St. Aloysius altar fabricators over 20 years ago Mario & Son made the original St. Aloysius altar more than 20 years ago. Carrara marble veining in a “V” pattern for Virgin Mary platform On Mary’s platform, Marcella set the Carrara marble veining in a “V” pattern, representing the chalice, or femininity. The Bishop’s chair platform The Bishop’s chair platform soon followed, as a companion piece to the altar. New slab marble altar for the Cathedral When fabricating the new altar for the Cathedral, serious consideration had to be given to its weight, as it would be on a raised platform as opposed to a concrete foundation, explained Joey Marcella of Mario & Son. “This design was approached more from a stone fabricators point of view, utilizing slab material mitered and laminated to give the illusion of mass while reducing the weight by nearly two-thirds,” he said. Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral in downtown Spokane, WA Mario & Son of Liberty Lake, WA, recently completed a renovation of Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral in downtown Spokane, WA, which included enhancements and restoration of it marble stonework. kameryj@bnpmedia.com (Jason Kamery) A 1964 historic building in South Florida that currently houses a condominium complex was designed by Edward Durell Stone and restored by his son, Hicks Stone Son, in the late 1990s. But while the exterior of the building was revived, the Italian marble base of a sculpture that sits outdoors was in need of repair.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90685 Wed, 03 Apr 2019 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90685-restoring-the-marble-base-of-a-historic-sculpture Marble restoration by Matt LoGiudice of Dynamic Stone Care LLC The condominium’s association, 400 Association Inc., called on restoration for this artwork but many large South Florida stone restoration companies took a pass on the multi-week challenge, except Matt LoGiudice of Dynamic Stone Care LLC. Calacatta base that was destroyed with stains “I caught the building management off guard when I asked if they were interested in having the monument restored,” said LoGiudice. “I went there to help a friend remove a countertop and saw this Calacatta base that was destroyed with stains. I knew it was something that I could fix.” Dry-Treat Oxy Klenza treatment The 500-square-foot marble base was treated with roughly three gallons of Dry-Treat Oxy Klenza, as it was mixed as a poultice and the entire monument was shrink-wrapped for 24 hours. Pulling stains out of a marble vertical wall “When you have to pull stains out of a vertical wall, it’s difficult,” said LoGiudice. “You have to use a lot more of a product to get it out. In total, I used five applications. Oxy Klenza is great because it truly gets deep into the pores of the stone and gets anything out of there that isn’t organic.” LoGiudice slogan: Artistic approach, flawless results “At the end of the day I live by my slogan, artistic approach, flawless results,” said LoGiudice. “Every job I do with my heart and when I stumbled onto this job I saw an art project rather than just money.” richinellij@bnpmedia.com (Jennifer Richinelli) Located on Tremont Street in the historic city of Boston, MA, the Highball Lounge at the Kimpton Nine Zero Hotel transitioned to the Better Sorts Social Club. The renovation is credited to Punch Architecture, Las Vegas-based design and architecture firm.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90645 Fri, 08 Mar 2019 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90645-natural-stone-contributes-to-better-sorts-social-clubs-chic-design Better Sorts Social Club in Boston, MA A Nero Marquina marble bar top is the “star” of the new Better Sorts Social Club at the Kimpton Nine Zero Hotel in Boston, MA. The stone element contributes to the cocktail lounge’s overall mod interior design. Photos by Mike Diskin, except where noted Nero Marquina marble at Better Sorts Social Club The intent was to strike a balance between the traditional social club and its low lighting, dark wood panels and stateliness and a more modern upscale cocktail lounge with its open airy atmosphere, brighter lighting and contemporary furniture. Nero Marquina marble is also featured on the tops of the side tables. Photo courtesy of Punch Architecture Architect Zak Ostrowski, partner, Punch Architecture “The marble fits in harmoniously with the overall design and contrasts the jewel tone fabrics, brass, walnut and rich green tiles at the bar,” said architect Zak Ostrowski, a partner at Las Vegas, NV-based Punch Architecture. Architect Zak Ostrowski, partner, Punch Architecture Rosso Rubino marble vanity tops and Nero Marquina marble wall tiles The rich interior décor continues in the restrooms with Rosso Rubino marble vanity tops complementing the Nero Marquina marble wall tiles. Photo courtesy of Punch Architecture Rosso Rubino marble vanity tops and Nero Marquina marble wall tiles richinellij@bnpmedia.com (Jennifer Richinelli) http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90431 Mon, 05 Nov 2018 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90431-a-stone-welcoming-at-the-segerstrom-center-for-the-arts created true size templates Before the stone was ordered and finalized there were many shop drawings. “We created true size templates that had the correct radius and cuts,” said Garcia. “It was easier for the guys to put together since it was all figured out in the office first.’ Fountain consists of 933 custom-cut stone pieces The fountain consists of 933 custom-cut stone pieces. Adrian Garcia of Pacific Aquascape International “The existing roundabout slope of the street made it difficult to make it level,” explained Adrian Garcia of Pacific Aquascape International, the engineer firm that was instrumental in the fountain’s assembly. “We didn’t want it to slope with the street. We wanted it truly flat. There was a difference of 12 inches from one side to another.” Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall After a thorough selection process, black basalt from China was decided to be the best choice for the fountain built at the entrance of the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, CA. Fluidity Design Consultants Inc. “The design criteria was to provide a dramatic visual emphasis for the arrival, enhancing the experience with spirited water expressions that were iconic and in harmony with the buildings dramatic arch and the ‘Fire Bird’ sculpture by Richard Lippold,” explained Tom Yankelitis, principal and vice president of Fluidity Design Consultants Inc. in Los Angeles, CA, who designed the fountain. basalt's dark reflective surface Besides its durability, the basalt was selected for its dark reflective surface. http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90210 Mon, 09 Jul 2018 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90210-neolith-sintered-stone-modernizes-washington-park-train-station Battery Park City Authority (BPCA), CTA Architects, P.C., construction manager The LiRo Group and contractor Nicholson & Galloway, Inc. have completed the $5.3 million renovation and waterproofing of the Irish Hunger Memorial.

]]> http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90108 Thu, 12 Apr 2018 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.stoneworld.com/articles/90108-nycs-irish-hunger-museum-restoring-a-cultural-stone-masterpiece The Irish Hunger Museum in Manhattan The Irish Hunger Museum in Manhattan was constructed in 2002 to honor the Great Irish Hunger and Migration of 1845-1852. Irish Hunger Museum designed by Brian Tolle Designed by internationally renowned sculptor and public artist Brian Tolle, the Memorial features stone varieties representing Ireland’s 32 counties. Irish Hunger Museum shadowy text Shadowy text that relates to both the Famine and reports of contemporary hunger form upon the frosted glass panels, wrapping around the exterior of the Memorial and into the passageway leading to the cottage. CTA’s associate and project manager for the Memorial, Frank Scanlon, AIA “Our team recommended carefully removing the landscaping surrounding fieldstone masonry walls and portions of the cottage, removing the previously applied and ineffective waterproofing system, performing limited slab repairs and patching, reconfiguration of and reinforcement of the concealed core walls and substrates and then installing a waterproofing membrane, and then assembling the elements of the monument back together,” explained CTA’s associate and project manager for the Memorial, Frank Scanlon, AIA. The Irish Hunger Museum in Manhattan, NYC Visitors to Irish Hunger Memorial wind through a rural Irish landscape, with paths carved into a hill thickly lined with native Irish plants and stones. The paths lead to a breathtaking viewing point 25 feet above street level, which boasts views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Irish Hunger Memorial aerial shot Irish Hunger Memorial aerial shot