case study

Thassos White Marble Adds Reflection and Beauty to 2 Bryant Park Lobby Project

by | Mar 24, 2023

Dan Shannon and his team wanted to take advantage of the unique footprint of 2 Bryant Park and connect the park to the plaza visually. Choosing the right natural stone would prove to be a pivotal decision. They decided to create a two-story high entry lobby passage through the building and elevate that open space using Thassos White marble from Greece along the primary and surrounding walls.

Dakota Mahogany: Core of the Continent

by | Mar 13, 2023

The formation of Dakota Mahogany marks the last time the Midwest endured a tectonic collision. Since then, seas have advanced and retreated across the landscape, the continents have rearranged themselves in different parts of the globe, and vast ice sheets grew, then melted, then grew again, over the course of several ice ages. After 2.6 billion years of erosion, the Midwest’s former mountain ranges have been worn down, leaving the landscape mostly flat. Through all of this, Dakota Mahogany sat patiently, waiting for its day in the sun.

Beyond Beauty: Creating Timeless Spaces with Sustainable Natural Stone

by | Jan 20, 2023

Natural stone is often chosen for residential and commercial work because of its beauty and versatility. It’s also really nuanced, according to Roger P. Jackson. He is drawn to the beauty of natural stone and believes that its beauty goes beyond aesthetics. “Natural stone feels more durable,” Jackson says. “It has a character of strength, stability, durability, and mobility.”

Range, Sustainability, and Beauty: Why Architect Craig Copeland Uses Natural Stone

by | Nov 29, 2022

There is no mistaking natural stone for its range, beauty, and sustainability. These are among the many reasons Craig Copeland, an architect, sculptor, industrial designer, and partner at Pelli Clarke & Partners finds himself recommending natural stone to many of his clients.

Cochise Marble – A Surprise in the Arizona Desert

by | Oct 8, 2022

Among sweeps of tan, red, and grey rock sits a surprise: A pocket of gleaming white marble. The Cochise Marble quarry is located near Bowie, AZ in the Chiricahua Mountain range. The original quarry operated for around thirty years, and like so many historical quarries, it shut down, sitting idle for over six decades until local businessman Matt Klump reopened it in 2002.

Undercover Artwork: Finding the Hidden Beauty in Natural Stone Slabs

by | Sep 30, 2022

Many people are drawn to natural stone because of its artistic qualities and characteristics. ALMA Studio takes it to the next level. The studio uses pure light projections to uncover, accentuate, and highlight art scenes that are hidden within the natural veining of stone slabs.

Using Natural Stone and the Golden Ratio to Add Functionality and Inspiration

by | Sep 17, 2022

Ancient Art of Stone creates one-of-a-kind stone portals at their studio in Cowichan Valley, British Columbia, Canada. They first source stones, then design and build artistic and functional fireplaces, stone doors, spas, mosaics, megaliths, and murals and ship and install them across North America.

From Waste to Wonderful: Using Salvaged Limestone at the Houston Botanic Garden

by | Aug 12, 2022

“Natural stone is such a noble material, and there’s a gravity to it that is immediately recognizable and universally appreciated by everyone,” says project director, Donna Bridgeman Rossi. “It’s not a subjective mix material, it is good in its own state that we value. You don’t have to modify it in any way to make it do what it needs to do.”

How Hana Ishikawa Builds Solid History with Genuine Natural Stone

by | May 3, 2022

One of the biggest reasons design principal Hana Ishikawa uses natural stone in her projects is because of its durability. “Natural stone has been around for millennia, and it’s much more durable than concrete,” she says. “It’s much more durable than porcelain. It’s more durable than most materials that we work with.”

How a Common Local Stone Helped Create Jobs and Inspire Design in Rwanda

by | Apr 21, 2022

In Rwanda’s Burera District, the volcanic rock pumice was undervalued and unappreciated. The mundane natural stone proved itself to be a change agent in this landlocked African country.

Granite Creates a Serene Space at the Spring Creek Nature Area

by | Apr 13, 2022

Today and for years to come, residents and visitors of Richardson, Texas, will be able to leave the chaos of the world behind and enjoy some calm and serenity as they pass through Sylvan Portals at Spring Creek Nature Area.

How Marble Added Dignity and Honored Philanthropy at Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

by | Mar 9, 2022

In 2019, a 60,000-square-foot expansion of the renowned John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts was completed. A 1,200-square-foot wall of Bianco Carrara marble was created in the lobby of the new Welcome Pavilion: known as the “Gratitude Wall,” it was engraved with names of each donor.

Stone Consultant Helps Bring Presidential Memorial to Life

by | Feb 17, 2022

Knowing what to look for when sourcing natural stone is one of the reasons Enzo Giambattista, a natural stone consultant with Enmar Consulting in Ontario, Canada, was called upon to collaborate at the early design phase with Gehry Partners on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial project in Washington, D.C.

Successful Marble Matching Returns Grandeur to Historic Dallas Landmark

by | Jan 21, 2022

Restoring the building to its original grandeur was an arduous task, but the preservation architects at Architexas insisted on matching the original stone types and finishes with no compromises.

A Year with Marble Countertops in the Kitchen

by | Dec 8, 2021

I’m Ashley, and I’ve been slowly renovating my kitchen to create a new space fit for a modern family in an old home. While it’s taken me years to decide on the layout and cabinetry color, there was always one thing that was certain. Marble countertops.

Vermont Verde Antique: Resiliency After the Storm

by | Oct 11, 2021

Vermont Verde’s original quarry is so impressively deep that it’s a tourist attraction. The walls of the quarry are dark green with white veining, and a pool of turquoise water sits at the bottom, 200 feet down.

Cleveland Quarries: Bringing the Art of Stone Carving Into the 21st Century

by | Sep 1, 2021

Berea sandstone is famous for good reason; it’s a durable stone with few irregularities. The sandstone straddles the all-important line of being hard enough to withstand the elements, yet soft enough to be workable.

Coming Full Circle with Continental Cut Stone

by | Aug 5, 2021

After being a stone dealer and fabricator for 12 years, Continental Cut Stone entered a new chapter as a quarrier. More than twenty years later, they’ve never looked back.

Using Thassos White Marble to Create a Grand European Mosque

by | Jul 30, 2021

With its unprecedented size and beauty, the mosque in the city of Shali in the Chechen Republic of Russia has an awe-inspiring presence. The massive structure features Thassos White marble throughout its exterior and interior design—further contributing to its stunning appearance.

Recreating a Quarry Wall Through a Lobby Installation at 100 Bishopsgate

by | Jul 14, 2021

100 Bishopsgate is a development of two mixed-used buildings in London’s financial district. On the walls of the ground floor and lobby, a wide range of Lasa White marble from Carrara, Italy was used to welcome visitors to the complex. All of the walls, specifically the lobby’s feature wall, were vein-matched to convey a solid look: a feat that took a lot of time and planning to achieve.