Now in its 24th year, the Marble Architectural Awards (MAA) honor achievements in stone architecture, and they focus on a different area of the world each year. For the 2008 edition, the MAA focused on trends in the use of natural stone in Central and South America and South Africa. (The competition also invited architects to submit projects completed in Australia, although none were selected as top winners for 2008.) Response to the competition was solid, as the jury was asked to examine over 60 projects this year.
Scheduled for May 29 to June 1, 2008 in the renowned stoneworking center of Carrara, Italy, the CarraraMarmotec exhibition has historically served as a venue to exhibit and see some of the latest introductions in natural stone products as well as stoneworking technology. It has also been a forum where natural stone suppliers can collaborate with architects and designers, and organizers are looking to expand on this aspect of the fair as it adapts to a new biennial format.
Over the past decade or so, the stone fabrication industry has clearly moved towards the kitchen countertop sector. And with this in mind, it is natural that many stone fabricators are regularly offering sinks to their customers. This is not only a service to the homeowners, but it also allows stone fabricators to become familiar with certain sink shapes and styles. But like all products, the choices for sinks are growing on a daily basis and manufacturers are looking to increase practicality, durability, aesthetics and other factors.
Focusing on what President Chris Sanzaro refers to as the “ultra high-end market,” Granite Tops, Inc. of Mount Vernon, NY, fabricates an average of 2,500 square feet of stone per week. The company was founded 11 years ago based on the attitude that “if the machine can cut it, we will make it, as long as we can have a high-quality product in the end,” Sanzaro explained.
Located just several miles from the city of San Sebastián in Spain's Basque country is Chillida-Leku -- a sculpture museum paying tribute to the work of one of the great 21st-century sculptors, Eduardo Chillida. But this museum, which sits within a forest filled with Oak and Beech trees, varies drastically from typical art institutions. Large sculptural works -- made of materials such as marble, granite and Corten steel -- stretch high into the sky and are displayed throughout the sprawling grounds. And while these works are intriguing and awe-inspiring enough, another attraction on the site is a 16th-century stone farmhouse, which the artist restored himself and which houses its own collection of artwork.
Celebrating its 26th year, Cevisama, the International Ceramic Tile and Bath Furnishings show, was held from February 5 to 9 in Valencia, Spain. And in keeping with tradition, the 2008 edition was a showcase of new and innovative product lines -- particularly in the ceramic tile sector. In total, 150 of the exhibitors were Tile of Spain's branded manufacturers, who belong to the Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturer's Association (ASCER).
The AIA Board of Directors has awarded the 2008 AIA Gold Medal to Renzo Piano, Hon. FAIA. Piano has been internationally renowned for his array of outstanding grand-scale projects in Europe and the U.S. The AIA Gold Medal, voted on annually, is the highest honor the AIA confers on an individual. The Gold Medal honors an individual whose significant body of work has had a lasting influence on the theory and practice of architecture. The award was presented at the American Architectural Foundation's Accent on Architecture Gala, held February 22, 2008, at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC.
Perhaps no one knows better than you that the use of natural stone has skyrocketed in the last decade, particularly for interiors. Stone is being used in ways it never has before, largely due to advancements in technology that allow for variations in fabrication. Additionally, the cost of Genuine Stone® such as marble and granite has come down as a percentage of building costs. To specify stone for a project means to choose a naturally beautiful, unique and durable material.
Although the use of stone for exterior applications dates back centuries, it is still a common practice today. The material is not only durable, but it contains a timeless appearance that is often desired for both residential and commercial designs. Additionally, stone can often aid in synchronizing a structure with its environmental surroundings. And more and more, choosing regional stone that is in close proximity to a project's site has become an important factor in material selection. Whatever the case, architects and designers continue to discover innovative ways to engage stone to its fullest potential.
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