The colors and materials used for the design of the new Phoenix Convention Center are intended to reflect the state of Arizona. As a facility that is host to thousands of visitors each year, it was important to the city of Phoenix that its architecture be warm and welcoming. To achieve this effect, an extensive amount of Indian sandstone - quarried and fabricated by Tab India of Jaipur, India, and supplied through the company’s U.S. office, Amsum & Ash of Minneapolis, MN - was used to build the exterior facade.

Although Dave’s Cabinets of Chesapeake, VA, has been in operation for about 30 years, it has only been in the practice of fabricating stone countertops for the past three years. The company originally began as a woodworking business, but after thoroughly researching the stone industry, its owner decided it was time to make the move to stone fabrication.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore, MD, has a long and storied past. As the first metropolitan cathedral and major religious building that was constructed in America after the adoption of the Constitution, it became a symbol of religious freedom that was a core to the newly formed U.S., when its cornerstone was laid in July 1806.

As natives of Texas, a family building in a private residence in Colorado Springs, CO, wanted to incorporate materials reminiscent of their home state into their new house. In particular, they wanted to use marble throughout the expansive 25,000-square-foot space. To ensure that their design objectives were met, the owners worked closely with designer Barbara Elliott of Barbara Elliott Interiors.

On April 15, 1999, Philip Einsohn launched Waterjet Works! - a custom waterjet design and fabrication company - in Dallas, TX. The corporation was started because Einsohn believed there was a call from the architectural, design and contracting communities for a company that understands the needs of these professions. And he knew that he could rely on his experience with waterjet capabilities while he was working in the design field to develop an operation that could satisfy these demands.

Set in the picturesque New England town of Greenwich, CT, the owner of an upscale residence wanted the exterior design of their new home to feature natural stone, which is inherent of the area architecture. But to save on cost, they chose natural thin stone veneer that provided the same rich look and texture that is achieved with thicker pieces of stone.

Architect Dick Clark of Dick Clark Architecture in Austin, TX, recently utilized an innovative limestone design for a condominium complex lobby in Austin, TX. He created a two-sided wall of overlapping tiles that stirs interest and serves as the focal point of the space. The varying sizes of rectangular and square tiles, which jut out from the wall, bring dimension and texture to the seating area.

Steeped in heritage, it was important that the new home for the Texas Hillel - also known as the Topfer Center for Jewish Life - would serve as a warm retreat for students at the University of Texas at Austin. Additionally, the design also needed to meet practical requirements. With these objectives in mind, the design team utilized a palette of red brick and Lueders limestone to build the new Jewish student community center, which opened in February of 2006.

Before opening his own stone fabrication business, Jeffrey Stein was a tile installer. After many years of honing his trade, he eventually decided to expand his capabilities. His company, Jefco of Virginia, Inc. in Richmond, VA, now includes a stone fabrication and installation operation specializing in high-end residential work.

There are many reasons why the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center (GEHC) is a one-of-a-kind project that should be recognized for its purpose and design. Built as an educational center to serve as a working model of ecologically sustainable design, the two-story, 59,000-square-foot facility is the first “green” county-owned building in Gwinnett County, GA. Its exterior facade features approximately 900 tons of salvaged Elberton granite, which not only helps qualify it for LEED Gold certification, but also creates a timeless piece of architecture.