Emotions on Stone

Euroroc, the European umbrella organization of the national stone associations, has published its April report informing about its recent and coming activities. We give a short summary and put the complete pdf for download (see below):

„The competition that the stone sector is facing from materials like ceramic, artificial (engineered) stone etc is getting stronger every day,“ Euroroc General Secretary Professor Gerd Merke states. „In reaction, natural stone has to emphasize its emotional components in a stronger way than before.“
http://www.stone-ideas.com/2016/03/30/emotions-as-a-tool-to-promote-natural-stone-is-one-aspect-in-eurorocs-april-report/

The importance of joints in the natural stone floors

The construction of pavements, especially outdoor, is perhaps the most difficult constructive application for natural stone, due to the magnitude of mechanical weights, ease of water saturation, due to an almost horizontal position deposit of polluting particles on the pavement surface and dumping of undesirables products by humans, among other factors.

 

To project a pavement, while taking into account the above, we define the constructive section, ie, the elements that will be required for construction. Among these, it is essential to define the type of joints, their dimensions and their arrangement on the paved area.

Joints are construction units that divide up the pavement to absorb movements from the various elements it supports.

 

In a pavement project using natural stone the following joint typologies should be taken into consideration: division joints, intersection joints, and joint seals.

 

http://www.litosonline.com/en/node/926

SGI gives back to communities

Aims to expand and deepen private sector action in support of peace - in the workplace, marketplace and local communities. Assists companies in implementing responsible business practices aligned with the Global Compact ten principles in conflict-affected and high-risk areas and catalyze action to advance peace.
https://www.unglobalcompact.org/library/381

Finished Marble Products

Boom in US demand in 2015. CarraraMarmotec 2016 to host a selected group of US buyers, contractors and architects.
In 2015, the Italian stone industry exported nearly four million tons of natural stone to the rest of the world, recording a value that, for the first time since the advent of the euro, exceeded two billion euro. These are the numbers reported by the Internazionale Marmi e Macchine Carrara study and research department that, like every year, analyses and processes the ISTAT data on foreign trade for the Italian natural stone industry.The growth in value of 6.3% compared to 2014, despite a decline of 5% in quantity, testifies the significant increase in the average unit value of the products exported. In fact, in 2015 the average value of quality raw materials and finished products amounted to 665 euro per ton, showing an increase of 10% compared to 2014.

http://www.immcarrara.com/uk/IMM/elenco-news/marble-for-the-first-time-in-2015-italy-exported-.asp

sustainable quarry operations

Before green building was a word and when green was just a color (depending on whether the written language was invented yet), ancient cultures were intuitively building with what was in their immediate area, and it was natural stone. Lucky for us, we can study how well these structures have weathered the elements and incorporate this timeless material into modern designs so let’s have a look at just how sustainable natural ... http://blog.polycor.com/the-original-green-building-material-just-how-sustainable-is-natural-stone

Improving our World

The United Arab Emirates was awarded the right to host the 44th WorldSkills Competition at the WorldSkills General Assembly in 2013.
We are proud to be the first country in the Middle East to host a WorldSkills Competition and bringing the event to Abu Dhabi will provide those taking part with the opportunity to experience true Arabian hospitality whilst enjoying state of the art facilities and modern infrastructure.
Abu Dhabi is a truly exciting and dynamic destination for the Competition, located at the nexus of the west and east, it is the meeting point of the ancient and modern. In Abu Dhabi a futuristic city lives hand in hand with ancient treasures and this is a destination where the past is preserved, cherished and respected while the future is meticulously planned and considered.

 

http://www.worldskillsabudhabi2017.com/landing/

The Crystals are carved...

The Féval city-block is a significant part of the renovation program performed around the Rennes rail-station. The urban project is developed by FGP and Territores. The project suggests to develop a new territory to connect the two sides of the city involving changes in landscape and topography. The railway road passes through urban structures like a river would pass through giant tectonic monuments in a form of large crystals.
The project consists of three buildings made ​​by 3 different architects, the whole project is structured around a landscape rift. The “crystals” are carved in a way to make the inner territory be reachable by sunlight.
www.evolo.us

„Shilpgram“

Help could soon be at hand for quarry owners waiting for licensing or license-renewal. Bangalore’s Stone Trade Fair, held from February 3rd to 6th 2016, was the venue of an announcement by representatives of the National Ministry of Mines to the effect that economic clearance is to be realized in three steps:A granite and marble quarry of up ...
http://www.stone-ideas.com/2016/03/20/stona-2016-economic-clearance-for-quarries-to-be-expedited/


 

By creating channels

Water is the essential element for life by excellence and abundance since the dawn of time, but it has become a luxury for all but the poorest people. Hydropolis offers an alternative to the use of fresh water, but also a new way of life completely different based on the sea water. Using it in purely artificial and independent oasis helping countries this way that are located in “water-stressed” areas.
The aim of this project is to propose a scheme that is based in developing the biggest necessary activities for the human race around salt water: the production of energy, housing, agriculture and ecological restoration. Aquaculture will be possible thanks to the contribution of seawater. This scheme will meanwhile be reproduced to infinity in space but also in time as long as the intake of sea water is possible.
http://www.evolo.us/architecture/hydropolis-is-a-city-designed-to-transform-sea-water-into-fresh-water-in-arid-countries/

 

to blend the seductively reductive commercial architecture

Architecture is more than producing an object, or even a landmark building. It is the art of creating inspiring places for people to work, live and play.
Established and led by Michel Mossessian, Mossessian Architecture is an award-winning London-based architecture practice...
http://www.mossessian.com/practice/who-we-are/
http://www.stone-ideas.com/2016/03/17/48303/
 

Eco Design

On March 20th, 2016, at the fair, international experts will lecture about ecologically friendly stone production and processing and about Eco-Design

The organizers write on Carrara Marmotec’s (May 18th to 21st, 2016) webpage: „The conference aims to give an up-to-date overview of the study and research on the topic of sustainability at an international level and to combine this with the observation of actual cases from the international stone industry excellence.
It will deal with topics concerning the application and demonstration of sustainable solutions and production systems in the sector of raw materials in the construction industry to encourage improvements in the supply chain and reduce environmental, economic and social impact.
The event is therefore conceived as an international debate upon methodologies and tools relating: the analysis of the production impact in the framework of current and future scenarios; eco-innovation and reduction strategies.
http://www.stone-ideas.com/2016/03/15/carrara-marmotec-conference-will-give-an-overview-of-sustainability-for-the-natural-stone-sector/

comprising „brand“ and „landscaping“

Italian producer of the famous Amarone red wine commissioned architects to design a building for the branding of the company

Brandscaping is the architectural buzz-word – a portmanteau comprising „brand“ and „landscaping“ which implies that many landlords want their buildings to express a singular distinguishing factor with the aim, e.g., to attract attention. A successful case in point is San Pietro’s Zýmē Winery in Cariano in close proximity to Lake Garda in Italy’s Valpolicella Valley: It playfully reflects the company logo’s pentagon. Architect Moreno Zurlo of A.c.M.e. Studio associate di Architettura unpretentiously integrates his work into the surroundings and its heritage.
http://www.stone-ideas.com/2016/03/15/zyme-winery-wine-leaves-and-the-company-logo-mirrored-in-natural-stone-pentagons/

This Mexico City Park Conceals an Underground Mall

The story of Garden Santa Fe starts with a parking lot. While not usually how a sustainable project initiates, the immense underground parking structure bottoms out at 33 meters beneath the street, placing the ubiquitous automobile where it belongs, well below human and natural habitation. Set above is a typical mall, only its three stories are also subterranean. Lastly, there is the park. It is modest in scope for an urban center but as the surrounding area has been swallowed whole by development, the vegetated refuge will become a core social asset.
http://www.evolo.us/architecture/this-mexico-city-park-conceals-an-underground-mall/

Questions Réponses ADN de la pierre

Le CTMNC propose une méthode scientifique de type "ADN", établie pour déterminer l'origine d'une pierre de manière indiscutable.
Cette méthode est l'aboutissement d'une thèse que le CTMNC
a financée : "Mise au point d'une méthodologie analytique d'identification des pierres naturelles de construction".
Téléchargez :
-   le communiqué de presse présentant cette méthodologie,
-   le résumé de la thèse,
-   la thèse sur le site http://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr (sur ce site,
    entrez "malfilatre" comme auteur dans le moteur de recherche).
http://www.ctmnc.fr/pages/questions_reponses_adn_pierre.php

an attractive buyer investment

Sustained high value is a good sales argument, longevity, on the other hand, puts stone out of reach for private buyers.
http://www.stone-ideas.com/2016/02/27/vituperation-1-emphasizing-the-high-financial-value-of-natural-stone-for-the-buyer/