Case Study: Why Sustainable Quarrying?
Natural stone quarries occupy a miniscule fraction of the world’s land area, but rock-forming minerals constitute more than 90% of the Earth’s crust. With such a vast population of rock-forming minerals spread worldwide, we’re met with the question, “How can quarrying contribute to a sustainable Earth? What Is Sustainability? In 1987, United Nations’ Brundtland Commission […]
Notable Project – Porphyry Pavers and Sanded Epoxy Jointing Mortar
Location: Central Oklahoma In designing their large, elegant property, the homeowners wanted an entrance and driveway to complement their new home and create a bold statement. They wanted a beautiful, quality, low-maintenance solution. Inspired by a classic European stone theme, the final product would need to create visual interest and take into account the terrain […]
Porphyry Paving and Great Places
Porphyry paving and other paving stones have been designed into the unique and special paving materials called for in the creation of great new places or the refurbishment of existing places. Discussions, plans, and designs for “Great Streets” are popping up everywhere, and the universal concepts are about pedestrian oriented space, an economically viable mix […]
Porphyry Paving and Toronto Woonerf Design Innovations
Stone paving like Porphyry is an element of hardscape used in a woonerf. The first of many opportunities to use the concept of a woonerf is happening in one of the multi faceted areas under the influence of Waterfront Toronto. This area is called the West Dons Land, one of the six main areas of […]
Porphyry and Widemarsh Street
Granite curbs and porphyry setts have been used to establish a low-speed, pedestrian and bicycle-friendly environment intended to boost the attractiveness and economic prosperity of this key shopping street. Widemarsh Street in Hereford, England has been rebuilt to designs by Hamilton-Baillie Associates, working with Powell Dobson Urbanists, Anthony Jellard Associates and Amey. The project involved […]
Porphyry and the value of distinctive paving materials
Stone pavers like porphyry and its more expensive granite cousin are being designed into numerous places in Toronto. This blog has previously highlighted the wonderful designs and work by WaterFront Toronto, now the nearby entertainment district is re-imagining one of their main streets. Distinctive paving materials and patterns are a necessary part of the project […]
Porphyry and Curbless Streets – Part 2
Porphyry stone pavers can be used on pedestrian surfaces, vehicle surfaces, as well as transition areas. This beautiful and sturdy stone will make any of these memorable. Special paving treatments can enhance the aesthetics of public spaces in a city, give circulation areas a stronger sense of place, and enhance the hierarchy of public spaces. […]
Porphyry and Curbless Streets – Part 1
This first in a series of three blogs about paved streets, public spaces and sidewalks where the street design incorporates curbless streets. This discussion explores the concept first created in the Netherlands, a woonerf. Porphyry and other stone pavers figure prominently in these designs. So what is a woonerf exactly? Picture a regular street, but narrow, minus […]
Resurgence in the use of paving stones
Porphyry paving stones and cobblestones have been used globally for millennia in streets and roadways because of their durable nature. In theUnited States stone paving represented growth and stability as great cities developed at ocean and river ports through out the country and were used as a stable foundation for commerce. Cobblestone streets, used for […]
Porphyry Pavers and Buchanan Street
Porphyry stone has all of the unique beauty and all of the physical properties to create a great commercial street in a challenging climate. To fulfill the design and functional needs of this great street,Scotland’s principal shopping street, and the heart of Glasgow, stone was the easy choice. Gillespies won an international design competition for […]
