Dôme Pallieter
Bretagne, France
2019 – 2021
Natural stone is a popular sustainable building material due to its longevity and timelessness. It has been a popular building tool for centuries. Just think of the Colloseum in Rome or the Nôtre Dame in Paris. A well-known natural stone is marble, but other examples of natural stones are granite, quartzite, bluestone, limestone, slate and travertine. Natural stone tiles and natural stone countertops are examples of the applications of most natural stones.
The different natural stones have different colours, benefits, and applications. For example, marble tiles in the bathroom or marble countertops in the kitchen are still popular because of the luxurious appearance. Marble is mainly made of limestone and is incredibly strong, making it perfect for countertops, windowsills, or table tops.
Natural stone tiles can also be made of granite. Granite is resistant to acids (unlike marble), is wear-resistant and virtually non-staining. This allows granite to be used both indoors and outdoors. Bluestone is also popular for window sills and counter tops. For example, hard stone is used for bathroom tiles, a natural stone windowsill, pond edge or garden furniture.
A lesser known natural stone is quartzite. The formation process of quartzite takes tens of thousands of years. The hardness of this type of stone makes it a durable building material suitable for indoor and outdoor use. In addition, there is slate, which resembles this. This is a special natural stone that is created when clay is under high pressure. This is a process of millions of years. The advantages of slate are that it is water-resistant and acid-resistant, has an insulating effect, is sensitive to scratches, conducts heat and is easy to keep clean. That is why it is suitable for a fireplace or roof covering, but it can also be used, in the bathroom, living room, or kitchen.
Finally, there is travertine, a natural stone that is formed when water is deposited in calcareous water. Since travertine is very sensitive to water, this natural stone can only be used indoors. Frequently used applications are therefore floors and stairs.
Natural stone lasts a very long time and is timeless due to the neutral colors and luxurious appearance. The purchase of natural stone is expensive and therefore the choice for a natural stone interior is well-considered. This makes it a lot more durable than cheaper building materials.
The way in which natural stone is extracted is also sustainable. Natural stone is used exactly as it is found in nature. During the extraction, grooves are made. The usable natural stones are converted into natural stone counter tops, table tops, tiles, and the like, while the unusable pieces are pulverised and used as road pavement or building materials.
Refurbishing natural stone is possible in almost all cases, which extends its lifespan. For example, a marble floor can be sanded again to restore the wear and tear of a number of years. This sanding and renovation is now also possible with granite.
Does this material appeal to you or have you gained inspiration for your own sustainable architecture project? We cordially invite you to come by to spar. Please feel free to contact us.