Shabby Chic Background

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Stone and Brick Notes

Barcelona Pavilion, 1929- Mies van der Rohe



  • Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Barcelona Pavilion, 1929; used sheets of stone travertine and marble that surround most likely concrete. Wasn't used structurally but for superficial adornment
  • 3 categories of stone; 
    • igneous- from molten lava that has hardened over time
      • example--> granite
    • sedimentary- time process where sediment from water bodies and settles in strata (layers) that thru heat process create metamorphoric stone
      • example --> limestone
    • metamorphic- sedimentary rock transformed by heat 
      • example --> marble
  • Stone is heavy so keep that in mind for installation
  • various finished
    • polished- shiny/ glossy
    • honed- similar to polished but rubbed until satin-soft
    • rubbed or matte finished- smooth w/o and gloss
    • rough sawn- irregular but level surface where marks from saw may be visible
    • special finishes:
      • flamed or thermal, sand-blasted, cleft (slate; irregularly regular stone has an uneven but blunt surface)
  • Types
    • slate
    • granite- very strong material that does not absorb liquids and it hides grime in kitchens
    • limestone- (the Alamo is an example of its uses) 
    • sandstone- think of brownstones in NYC
    • formstone- shaped/ sculpted stone, not natural, its a ceramic made from a mold (popular in Bmore)
    • brick- numerous lay patterns

This Stone House in Portugal is one of the best examples of elements of nature put to good use. As surprising as it may seen but people actually live in that house.
Men-an-Tol Megalithic stone, Cornwall, England
Exposed brick walls

No comments:

Post a Comment