The Porphyry setts, used on Via Manin are unique in terms of physical, chemical, geological and mineralogical properties with features that distinguish it from all other stones. Via Manin is located in the heart of Mestre. It is an important road that ends up in Piazza Ferretto, the elegant center of this Veneto city. Via Manin, one of the main roads in Mestre, had been neglected for years. Now it has been given new life and splendor thanks to renovation.
Every square and every road in any city is always much more than just paving. They consist of people, citizens who stroll along them, shops that work and residents. These are the people who were to be given back this historic road.
They aimed at safeguarding the unique original design of the historic center and the aesthetic continuity of the city. Executive design was entrusted to two young architects, M. Michieletto and A. Trevisan, to ensure the utmost care to design and detailing from both architectural and structural standpoints, respecting and enhancing the site and the spaces where the paving was placed. The specifications for the upgrade to the Via Manin started with selecting the material and from analyzing its many processing, laying and cutting possibilities. A new pavement with new geometric shapes, materials, forms and laying techniques, with solutions that are up-to-date with modern times, enduring and, above all, which extol the history of this site.
The choice was to lay 10×10, 8/10 cm thick red setts with gray porphyry drainage pit covers. This is a product that is synonymous for strength, durability, excellent paving appearance and ease of laying. This volcanic material also offers excellent adherence in case of rain. It is a non-slip material that can adapt superbly to surfaces, characteristics that make it ideal for paving and wall cladding. And in spite of its extreme hardness it is a stone that can be split, sculpted, sawn and polished and leaves lots of room for the creativity of architects and designers. This restoration of Via Manin also brings out the discreet but extremely important presence of the church of San Rocco, a small architectural jewel.
Mestre
Mestre is the center and the most populated urban area of the mainland of Venice, part of the territory of the city of Venice in Veneto, northern Italy.
The mainland of Venice is the territory of the city based on normal land (instead of natural or artificial islands like the most well-known parts of Venice) connected to the historical center by a long rail and road bridge over the Venetian lagoon, called Ponte della Liberta (Freedom Bridge).
Mestre is the center and the most populated area of the mainland and very often Mestre is used to define the whole Venetian mainland. Mestre received the status of autonomous city in 1923 and maintained it briefly till 1926, when was annexed to the commune of Venice.
Mestre is now a preferred starting point for tourists visiting Venice, due to the favorable location, and frequent connections to the historical center of Venice by train and by bus (available also during the night) and the more reasonable prices of hotels, restaurants, car parking, supermarkets, bars, discos compared to the prices of the same touristic services in the historical and touristic center of Venice.
Porphyry’s composition determines its high compression strength, resistance to stains, slip resistance, and high freeze/thaw ratings. The stone is the most popular paver in Europe, and is favored for its flexibility in design, beauty, durability and low maintenance requirements. ADA Compliant Porphyry pavers are also adaptable to a permeable paving set. The stone is by far one of the most durable pavers in the world. These beautiful materials are available from Milestone Imports. Milestone supports the creativity of architects, planners and designers. Porphyry offers surfaces of various finishes and mixed colorings, tending towards tones of grey, gold, violet and red, depending on where it is extracted. – www.milestoneimports.com
