Architects Point of View
The oldest manifestations of human civilisation are undoubtedly connected to the history of grandiose constructions and monumental depictions in stone, which have fascinated architects and sculptors in all cultures.
From a design point of view, natural building stones stand for tradition in contrast to the glass and steel that embodies technical progress.
The historical examples, and even the present debate on natural building stones, verify that these structures also stand for a demonstration of power, permanence, and representation.
Many successful examples show that natural stone, one of the oldest construction materials in the world, is still being used in modern architecture and is a popular facing material of the 21st century.
There is hardly a bank, insurance company, or headquarters of a large corporation that does not utilize this material to decorate their buildings.
Natural building stones, with their different colors and structural variations that change their appearance with varying weather and light, have always fascinated man. Stones always convey a message of eternity.
They are unique materials and are enjoying a surprising renaissance today.
Due to globalisation, thousands of different kinds of dimensional stones exist on the market, and their numbers are rising because they are being used in most countries in the world.
Even in modern architecture, where steel, glass, and pre-cast concrete elements epitomize the dominant materials, it is the decorative stones that will characterize the buildings.
Many architects and building owners are increasingly making the decision to use stone cladding facade elements or stone for interior work.
Not to be underestimated is the use of natural building stones in urban planning—for example, in garden and landscape architecture as well as in wellness areas. The choice of the right material represents a major challenge.
For the selection of the proper stone from an architectural point of view, aesthetics and fashion are important. These cannot be easily expressed in numerical values or in diagrams.
However, certain physical and technical properties of stones need to be assessed or measured to fulfill the requirements of durability and long-term stability of the stone structure.
Often, the stone is reduced to its interplay of color, which is without a doubt an important sensory perception in human beings. With regard to the choice of material, building owners and architects focus their vision first on the color.
It is for this reason that natural building stone dealers use color as the preference for naming their stones (Verde (Green) Andeer, Azul (Blue) Macauba, Verde (Green) Ubatuba, Rosso (Red) Verona, etc.).
There is a great variety of stone types that have the same color or similar shade or hue.
Red colored stones are found in sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks the same applies for bluish and greenish ones.
The use of stone of different colors can give a very different appearance to the same façade.
Apart from color, the most important role is also played by structural patterns (i.e. the macroscopic appearance).
Color and decor is the result of geologically complex processes. On the basis of the diverse decor properties, the natural stone is also given a sensual quality, which is accentuated by different surface treatments and finishes.
Color, as used in architecture, is one of the most characteristic and visible aspects of natural stones.
An almost infinite choice of colors and décors of natural stones exists, which determines the macroscopic appearance of stones.
The color may be due to the presence of so-called idiochromatic minerals or natural pigmentation due to organic or inorganic inclusions and particles.
Apart from the influence of color, the macroscopic appearance of stones is fundamentally defined by the fabric (i.e. texture) and, finally, by rock-forming geological processes.
Moreover, the aesthetic value of stones and their décors are highly variable due to an increasing amount of surface treatment.
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