The Pinnacle Awards, presented annually by MIA+BSI: The Natural Stone Institute during The International Surface Event (TISE) in Las Vegas, NV, recognize excellence in commercial, residential and renovation/restoration of natural stone projects worldwide. Projects selected as winners must demonstrate exceptional beauty, creativity, ingenuity and craftsmanship in the use of granite, marble, travertine, limestone and other natural stones.
For the 9th year, a Grande Pinnacle Award was presented to the best overall project. The 2016 Grande Pinnacle Award was presented to the six companies responsible for the Minnesota State Capitol renovation: Polycor, Twin City Tile and Marble, Italmarble Pocai, Tennessee Marble Co., Cutting Edge Stone and Bonstone. This marks the first time in the program’s history that multiple companies have been honored with this award.
The following are the 2016 Pinnace Award winners.
Award of Excellence: Renovation/Restoration Grande Pinnacle Award
Minnesota State Capitol | St. Paul, MN
MIA+BSI Member Companies:
Polycor, Inc, Quebec City, Quebec (Stone Supplier); Twin City Tile and Marble Co., Eagan, MN (Stone Procurement/Facilitator); Italmarble Pocai, Massa, Italy (Stone Fabricator); Tennessee Marble Company, Friendsville, TN (Stone Fabricator); Cutting Edge Stone, Inc., Alpharetta, GA (Stone Fabricator); Bonstone Materials Corp., Mukwonago, WI (Installation/Restoration Product Manufacturer)
Other Project Team Members:
Client: State of Minnesota
Executive Architects: HGA Architects and Engineers
Restoration Architects and Engineers: Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (MIA+BSI Member Company)
General Contractor: JE Dunn Construction
Stone Fabricators: Traditional Cut Stone Art Cubus International
Stone Installer/ Stone Carver: Mark 1 Restoration
Stone Tickets and Digital Templates: Kuehn’s Drafting Services
Stone: White Georgia marble
Project Description: The Minnesota State Capitol exterior stone restoration may just be the largest and most complex restoration project the U.S. has ever seen. Stone field measuring, fabrication, installation and carving took place over a four-year period without breaks from the harsh Minnesota winters. The project architects used the same White Georgia marble selected by the building’s first architect, Cass Gilbert, 115 years ago. This selection resulted in a final product where the new stone matched perfectly in color and veining to the original building stone. The project architects took great care in preserving as much original stone as possible. In the end, 4,000 new stones were supplied. Each stone required its own set of shop tickets plus patterns, which ultimately made each stone unique for installation and blending into the existing facade.
Established MIA+BSI companies, Polycor and Twin City Tile and Marble Co. had key roles in making this project a success. Polycor, owner of the White Georgia quarry, coordinated the block selections and all fabrication. Twin City Tile and Marble Co. performed the field measuring, jobsite scheduling and ornamental stone carving. Five separate stone companies from North America and Italy fabricated the stone with three being MIA+BSI companies; Tennessee Marble Co., Italmarble Pocai and Cutting Edge Stone. Success in communication between all stone team members resulted in less than a 1 percent fabrication error rate and kept the stone schedule on time and within budget. In the end, it was a team effort by all stone companies. As project architect Virginia Lackovic wrote, “The work will endure for generations to come, as will the friendships and working relationships developed in the process of this ambitious undertaking.”
Award of Excellence: Renovation/Restoration
The UVA Rotunda Renovation | Charlottesville, VA
MIA+BSI Member Company:
Rugo Stone, LLC, Lorton, VA (Stone Supplier and Installer)
Other Project Team Members:
Client: University of Virginia
Architect: John G. Waite Associates, Architects PLLC
General Contractor: The Whiting Turner Contracting Co.
Stone Fabricator: Mario Pedrini Srl
Stone: Carrara C marble
Project Description: “The Rotunda Renovation” replaced the 16 marble capitals of the University of Virginia’s Academic Village Rotunda, a UNESCO World Heritage Site designed by Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the U.S. An 1895 fire destroyed the original capitals carved by the Ricci family of Carrara, which were then replaced with columns from an alternate source.
In 2013, with the replacement columns crumbling, the University contracted with Rugo Stone, LLC to restore the capitals. Lacking a complete capital, detailed photographs or original drawings, Rugo Stone and its stone carver, Mario Pedrini of Carrara, used a 3D scanning technique to recreate the original capital design. Having only the remaining fragments of a single lower capital base, a full ¼ section capital model was created. First starting with a drawing, then a clay model of the upper part of the capital placed on top of the lower part reconstructed in marble. The model was then scanned again and a digital design of the whole capital was created and passed to fabrication. Within 10 months, six axis robotic machines shaped 80% of each capital, which were then completed by skilled carvers.
To preserve the Rotunda’s integrity and proximal historical structures, Rugo Stone designed an innovative lateral conveyance system that allowed for lifting and lowering those heavy and fragile capitals onto a 30- to 45-foot-high scaffolding and further moving and installing through a system of rails feeding each column. The entire procedure was completed with four to five men, over the course of a few weeks, and without any incident.
Award of Excellence: Commercial Interior
Energy Center III | Houston, TX
MIA+BSI Member Company:
Camarata Masonry Systems, Houston, TX (Stone Installer)
Other Project Team Members:
Client: Trammel Crow
Architect: Kirksey Architecture
General Contractor: Balfour Beatty Construction
Stone Fabricator and Supplier: Henraux S.p.A. (MIA+BSI Member Company)
Stones: Gascogne Beige limestone, Rajah Black granite, Arabescato marble, Persian Red travertine, Calacatta Cervaiole marble
Project Description: Energy Center III is a 546,000-square-foot, 20-story, Class A office building located on a prime 18-acre site in Houston’s Energy Corridor. Camarata Masonry Systems, Ltd. (CMS) was responsible for the procurement and installation of over 7,100 square feet of Gascogne Beige limestone flooring, 1,620 square feet of Arabescato marble flooring and walls, 6,700 square feet of Persian Red travertine walls, 2,500 square feet of Calacatta Cervaiole marble walls and 10,500 square feet of Rajah Black granite pavers/steps/planter veneer.
The lobby wall was designed by the architect to have a visual effect of stepping in and out as it extended upward. This was accomplished by using 3-, 5- and 7-cm-thick wall panels. All stone was dry laid in Italy with each stone’s location preapproved. The fragile Persian Red travertine (having pieces in excess of 350 pounds and 7 feet in length) was rodded to avoid breakage during shipping and installation. Any breakage would make it next to impossible to match adjacent stones. The extreme weight of the stones coupled with offset centers of gravity necessitated the use of engineered mechanical anchorage supporting each piece. The outward rotation loads of some of the pieces and the random locations of the anchor attachments dictated that the substrate be stiff and accommodating. The stone anchorage was secured to a reinforced CMU substrate, which was supplied and installed by CMS.
The Calacatta feature wall was initially designed to have backlit white glass panels. After construction, the owner determined that this was not the desired look. CMS supplied Calacatta Cervaiole marble months after substantial completion of the building and incorporated the same blind anchorage system utilized by the glass subcontractors, thereby allowing erection on the previously installed support grid. The wall stones are absent caulk and separated horizontally and vertically by decorative metal strips.
The seemingly random appearance of the Persian Red travertine wall is broken by polished Arabescato marble strips that continue through the Gascogne Beige limestone interior floor and align with the exterior plaza strips visible through the mullionless glass storefront.
Award of Excellence: Commercial Exterior
Talan Towers | Astana, Kazakhstan
MIA+BSI Member Company: JMS Jura Marble Suppliers, Eichstaett, Germany (Stone Fabricator and Supplier)
Other Project Team Members:
Client: Astana Property Management
Architect: SOM Architects
General Contractor: Turner Construction Co.
Stone Fabricator and Installer: Metal Yapi Holding
Facade Consultant: AFC Aluminum Fassaden Consulting
Stone: Jura Beige limestone
Project Description: Located in Astana, Kazakhstan, Talan Towers is a high-rise building consisting of a podium and two towers hosting a Ritz Carlton Hotel, office and retail space. Having a surface area of 635,000 square feet, 393,000 square feet of which are covered with a unitized facade system, Talan Towers combines glass, metal and stone to form a unique picture.
Designed by SOM Architects of New York and built under the responsibility of Turner Construction Co., JMS Jura Beige limestone blends perfectly with the choice of glass and aluminum, accentuating the geometrical shapes of the building and adding to the light and filigree appearance. Located in the heart of Kazakhstan’s capital, it is one of the most modern landmark buildings of this pulsating metropolis.
JMS Jura limestone was selected at the quarries and processed in five factories, making sure to meet the design intent and the challenging timelines. Within five months, a total of over 264,000 square feet of stone was produced and shipped to priority order of the facade contractor Metal Yapi of Istanbul, Turkey. It was shipped out of JMS factories in Germany over a distance of 3,100 miles to Kazakhstan by a total of 100 trucks, thereby enabling the installer to unitize the facade elements in the site factory just in time.
Award of Merit: Renovation/Restoration
St. Francis of Assisi Church | Staunton, VA
MIA+BSI Member Company: Coldspring, Cold Spring, MN (Stone Fabricator and Supplier)
Other Project Team Members:
Client: St. Francis of Assisi Church
Architect/Designer: Frazier Associates
Architect: WDPA & Associates
General Contractor: Lance Construction Co.
Stone Installer: Rugo Stone, LLC. (MIA+BSI Member Company)
Stone: Mountain Green® granite
Project Description: Renovation projects where existing materials and designs must be matched can bring a host of challenges. The St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church renovation in Staunton, VA, proved no exception. The church needed to replace the existing serpentine material that was failing, while keeping the existing limestone material in place. Ultimately, granite fabricated with exact precision provided the ideal solution to preserve St. Francis of Assisi’s legacy.
More than 100 years after original construction, the existing serpentine had deteriorated to such an extent that safety had become an issue. The church initiated fundraising efforts and began making plans for upcoming renovations. After an extensive search for a close match to the existing serpentine, the church found Mountain Green® granite to be an ideal material.
The church’s exterior renovation began in the spring of 2015. Originally built by hand, many of the serpentine pieces were very irregular in size. Matching the existing pattern presented a true challenge.
To match the serpentine pattern of the 120-year-old stones, the granite fabricator used 3D scanning technology. A complete scan of the church produced a 3D model, which was then converted into 2D documents. Next, the granite fabricator used the 2D drawings to create a 3D Revit model to ensure the new facade would replicate the existing with complete accuracy. In total, 6,706 4-inch cubic granite pieces in Mountain Green with a split finish were produced and installed. The church restoration was completed in May of 2016.
Award of Merit: Renovation/Restoration
The Arcade | St. Louis, MO
MIA+BSI Member Company: Ford Marble and Tile, New Athens, IL (Stone Fabricator and Installer)
Other Project Team Members:
Client: Dominum
Architect: Paul Hohmann, AIA, LEED AP, Ebersoldt + Associates Architecture
General Contractor: Paric Corp.
Stone Supplier: Global Granite & Marble (MIA+BSI Member Company)
Stones: White Carrara marble, Black marble, Tennessee Pink marble, Bianco Gioia marble, Negro Marquina marble, Beige Rosato marble, Absolute Black, Dakota Mahogany granite, Missouri Red granite
Project Description: The Arcade Building, built in 1913 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, contains 500,000 square feet and occupies a block in the heart of downtown Saint Louis, MO. Named for the spectacular two-story interior rib-vaulted shopping arcades found in Italy, it housed top-notch retail merchants in its first six floors and offices above. The 19-story building, abandoned since 1978, was renovated in 2015 to provide 282 upper floor apartments and commercial and educational space in the restored “arcade.”
Ford Marble and Tile provided an historical restoration package; the main goal was to use as much of the site’s reclaimed stone and original application techniques when possible. After exhaustive inventorying, the company restored and refabricated 301 stone slabs and 3009 floor tiles and integrated 280 new panels seamlessly. All work was completed from Ford’s onsite basement fabrication shop.
For the showcase arcade on the mezzanine, Ford replaced the missing Spanish black marble and damaged wall base with original stone and used 100% reclaimed, refabricated Tennessee Pink marble on the grand staircase, wall base and surrounding floor tiles. In the lobby and on other floors, Ford restored old panels and tiles and expertly integrated new product where required. Visitors and tenants entering from the north, south, east or west enjoy the elegant Arcade and historically preserved halls and elevators throughout the building.
Award of Merit: Renovation/Restoration
9 Commonwealth Avenue | Boston, MA
MIA+BSI Member Company: Vermont Stone Art, LLC, Barre, VT (Stone Supplier)
Other Project Team Members:
Client: Nine Commonwealth, LLC
Architect: Meyer and Meyer Architects
General Contractor: Back Bay Construction
Stone Mason: Sean Cahill Masonry, Inc.
Stone: VSA Buff sandstone
Project Description: The refined exterior of 9 Commonwealth Avenue is the result of a substantial joint venture restoration project. The facade of this townhouse, one of two symmetrically designed homes originally built in bustling downtown Boston, MA, in 1861, was tailored with a now-extinct sandstone. The initial challenge was to find a reliable and unadorned stone match to recapture the spirit of this elegant two-story entry and weave into the compatible design of its twin neighbor. In approving VSA Buff sandstone, the design team gave Vermont Stone Art the opportunity to sculpt out their goals for providing the flanking entrance pilasters, Acanthus ornamented capitals, engaged, recessed paneled columns, pedestal piers, stilted Roman arches and balustrades, which attract visitors to this French Academic style townhouse.
The next challenge was to generate data to replicate the entire stone facade. A field survey was conducted in order to examine the existing framework of design and capture the existing stone. Photogrammetry and a Laser Total Station were used to survey the deteriorated stones. These were imported into CAD and dimensionally corrected with manual measurements from the field survey. Each element of the replacement facade was fully detailed and sent to fabrication.
These means of generating the data to manufacture the stones assured that installer Sean Cahill was able to assemble with ease. The resulting exterior is a no-frills sandstone base material, contrasting with the intricate curvature of tooled accents and drawing in spectators with its classically fresh sculptured exterior.
Award of Merit: Residential Interior/Exterior
Peirce Hill Residence | Singapore
MIA+BSI Member Company:
Stonrich Pte Ltd., Singapore (Stone Supplier, Fabricator and Installer)
Other Project Team Members:
Client: Dato Dr. Low Tuck Kwong
Architect: Md. Ma Design Consultants
Interior Designer: Hirsch Bedner and
Associates (HBA)
General Contractor: Sysma Construction Pte Ltd
Stones: marble, granite, limestone, quartzite
Project Description: Peirce Hill Residence redefines modern luxury living with a stylish lavishness. The house is designed with the sublime simplicity of a church. The pure form of the building complements the steep terrain and the curve building accentuates elegance and sophistication.
This project is completed with exquisite natural stone finishing on a grand scale; a total of 21 different types of semi-precious stones, marbles, limestones and granites (equivalent to approximately 84,000 square feet). Precision fabrication was the key feature for this project. White Rose marble was supplied in a huge quantity (22,000 square feet) with extensive planning, selection and inspection to ensure harmonious tonality and characteristics within the whole house. The added challenge was the “fan-shaped” floor design, following the shape of the house. Each of the uniquely sized floor marbles went through stringent pre-installation inspection. The unique sizes were water-jet curve cut to exact shape.
It was an audacious decision to use three different semi-precious stones (Agate Blue, Yellow Quartz and Agate Moss) in three circular-shaped powder rooms. These stones were backlit because of their translucent properties. All three rooms have limited area and constraints. Due to the extravagant prices and uniqueness of the selected stones, precision setting and fabrication was a vital element to each and every piece of stone used in the house.
Award of Merit: Residential Interior/Exterior
Monumental Staircase | Washington, DC
MIA+BSI Member Company: Marmi Natural Stone, Norcross, GA (Stone Supplier, Fabricator and Installer)
Other Project Team Members: Client/General Contractor: Pyramid Builders
Architect: Barnes Vanze Architects
Designer: Patrick Sutton Associates
Stone: Olympian White Danby marble
Project Description: Originally built circa 1815, The Ambassador Bruce House is arguably the most storied private home in Georgetown. Purchased in 1941, Ambassador David K.E. Bruce and his wife, Evangeline Bell Bruce, were its most famous owners. In 1945, they commissioned improvements, including the renowned Rose Greely-designed landscape and the addition of a 34-foot ballroom. In 2015, the property was purchased and an extensive restoration was undertaken, including the grand staircase which connects the living room down to a mid-level exit into a garden courtyard and grand ballroom. It continues down to the lower level, which houses a wine cellar and game room. The staircase is constructed of solid blocks of Olympian White Danby marble from Vermont. Over 500 cubic feet were quarried for this staircase. The same stone was used to match the Thomas Jefferson Memorial (1945). The complex cantilevered requirements from the design team posed numerous technical challenges. The only structural components of steel were landings at intermediate and top landings. The balance of the staircase is supported using specialized engineering along with only 3 ½ inches of tread/riser combo inserted into concrete and block faced radial wall. All tread/risers are solid stone pieces cut from 7 ½- to 9 ½-inch-thick stone slabs. The entire staircase had to be dry fitted to blend any minimal discrepancies in manufacturing at the Marmi Natural Stone factory. Marmi Natural Stone also designed, manufactured and installed a 50-foot assembled miniature tower crane to be able to install in the center of the stair opening and access total span of the installation area.
Award of Merit: Commercial Interior
Inspiration Slope/Green Hills Memorial Park | Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
MIA+BSI Member Company: ASI Stone Imports, Inc., Chelsea, AL (Stone Supplier)
Other Project Team Members:
Client: Green Hills Memorial Park
Architect/Designer: Patrick Fly
General Contractor: McCleskey Construction
Stone Fabricator: Bruno Rogari
Stone Installer: Marble Pros
Stones: Palissandro Bronze marble, Palissandro Bronzetto marble, Palissandro Tigrato marble
Project Description: Over 20 years ago, Green Hills Memorial Park began a vision of expansion in the cemetery to include every possible option for burials, including gardens and estates, anchored by a signature mausoleum building. The Inspiration Slope Mausoleum project fulfilled this vision and the stone selection was the major part of this accomplishment. The Green Hills management team worked with architect Patrick Fly, mausoleum builder McCleskey Construction Co. and stone supplier ASI Stone Imports, Inc. to create a building that achieved an aesthetically pleasing design. To select the stone that would satisfy their expectations, the team went to Marmomac in Verona, Italy, the largest annual exhibition of stone in the world. The stone selected for its remarkable beauty was from the marble quarry known as Palissandro, north of Milan, Italy. ASI worked in conjunction with fabricator Bruno Rogari, who was familiar with the special aspects of this stone. Three variations of stone (Bronze, Bronzetto and Tigrato) were chosen for different areas of the building. The client requested the marble to be cut and installed with continuous vein matching on each elevation, some of which were over 100 feet long. If even one piece was broken in fabrication, shipping or installation, it would compromise the appearance of the entire elevation. The stone became the “wow” factor in the equation of the entire design. The commitment and determination incorporated into the creation of the Inspiration Slope Mausoleum have been the basis of a story of inspiration in and of itself.
Award of Merit: Commercial Interior
Hungarian Chapel | Washington, DC
MIA +BSI Member Company: Rugo Stone, LLC, Lorton, VA (General Contractor, Stone Supplier and Installer)
Other Project Team Members:
Client: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Architect: Anthony J. Segreti, AIA
Liturgical Designer: Rambusch Decorating Co.
Stones: Sutto Hungarian limestone, Royal Hungarian Red marble, Siklos Green marble, Botticino Classico marble
Project Description: This small yet ornate chapel is dedicated to the Hungarian people and their patron, St. Stephen. It is co-funded by the Hungarian government and the Catholic Cardinal of Hungary. The stone used in the chapel was quarried in Hungary. The main color (buff Sutto limestone) has a long history of use in Hungary, and the main accent (Royal Hungarian Red marble) has been used in such important sites as the Saint Stephen’s Cathedral in Budapest. This rich marble adorns the altar, the entry solid column shafts, the floor and the frames of the bas-relief carvings. The minor accent (Siklos Green marble) is a very rare marble used in the Hungarian Parliament mosaic floors. Although it is no longer quarried, Rugo Stone was able to find a small amount to use for the floor. The entire Hungarian stone pallet was fabricated for 1/16-inch joints and fully dry set to ensure uniform color range and precise alignment. Most of the carving was done by hand, including all 24-carat gold leafed lettering, the altar rosette and three bas-reliefs depicting the baptism of St. Stephen, St. Stephen presenting the Crown Jewels and the Hungarian Coat of Arms. The focal point — the Hungarian Madonna — was also made by hand, using Venetian glass mosaic installed on Portland cement-based substrate. The antique oak wood beams were challenging to source and their installation required structural steel work along with support walls masonry.
Rugo Stone thoroughly supervised and mentored the Hungarian fabricator on an extremely complex design. This very complex project is an example of Old World craftsmanship and artistic execution.
Award of Merit: Commercial Exterior
National Museum of African American History and Culture | Washington, DC
MIA+BSI Member Company: Coldspring, Cold Spring, MN (Stone Supplierand Fabricator)
Other Project Team Members:
Client: The Smithsonian
Landscape Architect/Designer: Gustafson Guthrie Nichol
General Contractor: Clark/Smoot/Russell Joint Venture
Stone Installer: Rugo Stone LLC (MIA+BSI Member Company)
Stone: Mesabi Black® granite
Project Description: After nearly 10 years of planning efforts, the Smithsonian Institution broke ground on February 22, 2012 for the National Museum of African American History and Culture. It is the only museum dedicated to documenting the history, life and culture of African Americans. Located on a 5-acre site on the National Mall, the museum’s 322,600-square-foot design is distinctive among other structures. Its facade consists of 3,600 customized cast-aluminum panels known as the Corona. Approximately 37,000 square feet of Mesabi Black® granite in various finishes was used for numerous landscape elements, such as paving, wall facing, wall coping, steps, curbs, benches and bollards. A majority of the stones for the project were modeled in 3D software, which ensured the designs met expectations. CNC technology was critical for creating the intricately crafted cubic granite wall encompassing the site’s perimeter. A combination of polish coping and Diamond® 8 facing was selected for the museum’s north wall, which serves as the main entrance. The less reflective Diamond® 8 finish was selected due to concerns over too much reflection off the wall at the highly traveled entrance. Bench seats feature a polished finish and the curbing features Diamond® 8. The paving – encompassing 25,000 square feet of granite — and stair treads feature Diamond® 10, which is an ideal slip-resistant finish. The museum is designed for LEED Gold certification and was opened by President Barack Obama in September 2016.
Award of Merit: Commercial Exterior
Aga Khan Park | Toronto, Ontario, Canada
MIA+BSI Member Company:
PICCO Engineering, Concord, Ontario, Canada (Stone Consultant/Engineer)
Other Project Team Members:
Client: Imara Limited
Architect: Moriyama & Teshima Architects
Design Architects: Charles Correa, Fumihiko Maki and Vladimir Djurovic
General Contractor: Carillion Canada Inc.
Stone Installer: Clifford Masonry Limited
Stone Fabricator: Granitex
Stones: Dalma Cream Croatian limestone, Margherita White Brazilian granite, Absolute Black Chinese granite, Beige White Fleck Chinese granite
Project Description: Aga Khan Park is a campus-like property in the heart of Toronto’s geographic center consisting of the Ismaili Centre, the Aga Khan Museum and a formal garden with reflecting pools. Juxtaposed against a backdrop of commercial buildings and the sounds of a nearby highway, the park consists of three main stone elements designed for generations to come. Situated on 17 acres, it is a gift to Canada from His Royal Highness, The Aga Khan, for the country’s commitment to pluralism and cultural diversity.
A $300-million investment, the Aga Khan Park is a remarkable site that blends exceptional design with nature. It is an oasis of stone amidst rolling hills, trees and reflecting pools. There are approximately 90,000 square feet of stone cladding and architectural stone elements that comprise the two main buildings, pool and landscape features. Unique stone selections such as Margherita White granite and Dalma Cream limestone combine with precise architectural details on the two main buildings to create movement and flow and promote the unity of art, spirit and nature. Overall, the Aga Khan Park conveys a spirit and feeling of tranquility that evokes many thoughts and emotions and stimulates the senses in a variety of ways. Natural stone is a timeless, noble and natural material that captures the essence of the Aga Khan Park and succeeds in highlighting the site’s design and grandeur.
Award of Merit: Commercial/Exterior
Indianapolis Temple | Carmel, IN
MIA+BSI Member Company: KEPCO+, Salt Lake City, UT (Stone Installer)
Other Project Team Members:
Client: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Architect: MHTN Architects
General Contractor: Shiel Sexton Construction
Stone Supplier and Fabricator: Metamar Marble (Turkey)
Stone Supplier: Bestview International (MIA+BSI Member Company)
Stones: Aero Cream limestone, G350 granite, Giallo Antico granite, Perlatino marble
Project Description: Clad with nearly 36,000 square feet of intricate and cubic Aero Cream limestone, the Indianapolis Temple radiates both quality and elegance. When designing the temple, the architects took inspiration from Indianapolis’s historic Monument Circle, as well as the symbols synonymous with the state of Indiana. The resulting edifice incorporates classical architecture with an Egyptian influence. The inspiration from Monument Circle is reflected in the Temple’s two stately spires, each created from carved limestone. The taller of the two reaches 86 feet above the roof, 150 feet from the ground. Additionally, the flowering bud of Indiana’s state tree, the Tulip Poplar, is carved into the stone window surrounds. The temple’s panelized limestone entablature also features carved frieze elements, including the leaf and flower motif repeated throughout the building.
Each elevation features a portico, with two stately columns framing the main entrance on the east side. The south and west side porticoes each have four columns, while the north portico has five columns. These 15 limestone columns were designed with plinth bases and capitals in the Doric order. Fluted limestone pilasters were incorporated between the exterior windows. Each of the 10 pilasters is detailed with a profiled base and Egyptian-inspired capital. In addition to the ornate cladding, 16,000 square feet of granite site work surrounds the temple, creating a tranquil setting for its many visitors.
Award of Merit: Commercial Exterior
The Vermeer | Vancouver, British Columbia
MIA+BSI Member Company:
Red Leaf Stone, Vancouver, BC (Stone Fabricator)
Other Project Team Members:
Client: Richard Hall
Architect: Formwerks Architectural Inc.
General Contractor: Kindred Construction Ltd.
Stone Supplier: Indiana Limestone Co. (MIA+BSI Member Company)
Stone Fabricator and Installer: Architectural Stonemasonry (MIA+BSI Member Company)
Stones: Indiana Buff limestone, limestone ashlar
Project Description: The Vermeer is a fully natural stone-clad multi-residential building. The owner’s motivation was to build a classical structure that would recognize the family matriarch within one of Vancouver’s trendiest neighborhoods. The owner, being of Dutch heritage, wanted nothing less than concrete and natural stone. Red Leaf Stone was selected to draft, fabricate, engineer and install the stone. Located in a seismic region, and a fair distance from any limestone quarry, value was seen to install with mechanical attachments. The public setting dictated 2-inch-thick stone as the minimum. Because of Vancouver’s heritage of utilizing grey/buff colors for building stone, the architect and owner quickly embraced Indian limestone. The Indiana Limestone Co. was chosen to supply the slab and slab-block material to ensure consistency of material. All secondary fabrication was performed at Red Leaf Stone’s shop in Abbotsford, BC. The nature of the custom aspects of the building necessitated site measuring as work progressed. The climate demanded building envelope engineering; combining this with sub-structure tolerances meant the drafting team needed to be continuously benchmarking for the installation as it progressed. This is a big reason to why the fit around pre-cast balconies is tight, the ashlar is coursed evenly with 3/16-inch mortar joints, and stone banding appears so integral to the design. Red Leaf’s skill and background of traditional hand carvings led the owner to commission six carvings on the front of the building – one representing the family coat of arms, the others maintaining a Dutch influence. The final result is a true testament of art, architectural design, craftsmanship and engineering meeting together to deliver a magnificent building that is admired by many and contributes to the future heritage of the city of Vancouver.
Bath of the Year
Mitchell Master Bath | Huntsville, AL
MIA+BSI Member Company: Ceramic Harmony Int., Inc. (Stone Importer, Fabricator, Installer and Designer)
Other Project Team Members:
Client: Bill and Ashley Mitchell
Architect/Interior Designer: Matheny Goldmon Interiors, LLC
General Contractor: Kenneth Chandler Construction
Stone Design/Interior Design: Janna S. Collins ASID, IIDA
Stones: Calacatta Caldia marble, Brazilian Perla quartzite
Project Description: When the Mitchells built a new Tudor-style residence in Huntsville, AL, they wanted an awe-inspiring master bathroom where they could relax in luxury. They commissioned Janna S. Collins of Matheny Goldmon Interiors in Huntsville, AL, for this task.
Janna Collins designed the bathroom and worked with Werner Stark of Ceramic Harmony on the layout and floor design. All stones (marble and Brazilian quartzite) were selected by the clients and Janna Collins. After the stones were selected, a waterjet pattern was used to break up the large floor space. The field pattern consisted of Calacatta Caldia marble bordered by Perla quartzite, and the tub platform was fabricated out of Perla quartzite. Both vanities and sinks were custom fabricated out of Perla quartzite. Since the Mitchells wanted a large shower, a design was created incorporating Perla quartzite large-sized slab panels around the shower wainscot and capped them with a custom molding. The walls above the wainscot (up to approximately 10 feet) were clad with Calacatta Caldia marble large-sized slab panels and again capped with a custom molding. Above these moldings, large-sized Perla quartzite slab panels were placed up to the ceiling. The ceiling received large Calacatta Caldia marble slabs trimmed with a custom crown molding. The windows and shower casing was made with Calacatta Caldia marble and Perla quartzite custom fabricated trim. The shower floor was designed with a custom fabricated channel covered with a matching Calacatta Caldia marble slab.
All fabrication was done in-house at Ceramic Harmony’s state-of-the-art fabrication facility. The cutting of the floor pattern was done with a waterjet and the profiles, trim and edges were done on an Intermac CNC machine and finished by hand. Sinks, vanities and all final finishing and touch-up work was performed by Ceramic Harmony’s stone craftsmen.
Kitchen of the Year
Private Residence | Weston, MA
MIA+BSI Member Company: United Marble Fabricators, Inc., Watertown, MA (Stone Fabricator and Installer)
Other Project Team Members:
Client: Private Residence
Designer: Downsview Kitchens
Builder: Dudley Builders
Stone Supplier: Marble and Granite, Inc. (MIA+BSI Member Company)
Stone: Calacatta Saturnia polished marble
Project Description: Nestled into the serene suburban landscape of Weston, MA, this remarkably clean, crisp, modern gourmet kitchen is a celebration of functional design and stunning aesthetics. Conceived by Erica Brady of Downsview Kitchens of Boston, the striking palette of brushed metals, rich ebony woods, high-gloss gray lacquered cabinetry and polished Calacatta Saturnia marble creates a feeling of drama and elegance perfectly suited for entertaining.
United Marble Fabricators was tasked with transforming 1 ¼-inch polished Calacatta Saturnia marble slabs into mitered countertops and commanding mitered cooking and eating islands, as well as a dramatic full-height backsplash that evokes the romantic notions of traditional home cooking. Considerable time and attention to detail was paid by all parties — designer, builder and fabricator — at the onset of the project to select a marble material which would not only satisfy the aesthetics of the project but allow for precision mitering to create the faux 6-inch thickness that is seen at the front of the stove and the 2-inch thickness seen at all other exposed edges. Once the material selection was finalized, all of the time and attention turned to the layout. Using high-resolution photography of the slabs, a digital rendering of the mitered countertops, islands and full height backsplash was created showing how each part fit on the seven slabs in order to maximize each and every matching vein and striation in the kitchen. The final result is an unmistakable expression of modernism, highlighted by the precision craftsmanship of the polished marble surfaces throughout this suburban kitchen. This project is a true celebration of craftsmanship, technology and energetic collaboration resulting in a gourmet kitchen that will continue to delight this young family for years to come.
