Granite - The Great Contemporary Unknown

Granite - The Great Contemporary Unknown

Rediscover a natural, unique and original material, with multiple applications for current architecture and design immovable over time, granite is a jewel of nature capable of providing exclusivity to any contemporary construction or finish. Its wide range of varieties and the incorporation of new cutting technologies and those giving a surface finish, provide us with infinite design possibilities.

Its character, beauty, high strength and excellent durability make it quite a unique material. It is undoubtedly the most advantageous architectural option in contrast to other types of products:

Mercedes House ©Santos-Diez Photography. Image Courtesy of Cluster del Granito

It is contemporary: Modern industrial technology has brought about multiple Innovations, making it quite a common material to employ in new constructions.

It possesses both technical and aesthetic power: The various surface finishes, which can be adopted, provide a wide variety of aesthetic results. The range available goes beyond the areas which traditionally produce this natural stone: the market is now open to the commercialization or marketing of new varieties, originating anywhere in the world. In this way, the sector contributes to continuous innovation on the market. The diversity of colors, textures, schemes and finishes - the fruit of incessant technological development - covers every design need and is far superior to that of other popular products.

Archaeological park of cave art ©Santos Díez Photoraphy. Image Courtesy of Cluster del Granito

It is sustainable: Thanks to its natural origin and limited transformation of the raw material, requiring less production of energy consumption than other materials such as ceramics or concrete. It is characterized by its durability, lower energy consumption in its manufacture and the possibility of reuse and easy disposal (being an inert residue). Its environmental impact starts off with the extraction of the raw material, which hardly goes through any transformation until it reaches the manufacturer. The cut and finished product in the factory is palletized or packed and shipped through the distribution channels. Finally, it is mounted, thus reaching the final consumer or user. At the end of its useful life, it becomes waste that must be properly and carefully managed.

Theater Canal ©Guillermo Gonzalez Photography. Image Courtesy of Cluster del Granito

It retains its own characteristics and natural physical properties: It is one of the few building materials to be mounted almost as it comes out of nature, without changes to structure, composition or chemicals; only the required dimensions and appearance are provided. This singularity allows for a wide range of complementarities with other current materials such as wood, glass or steel, facilitating the achievement of unique designs. It is solid and consistent, with very good flex resistance (a key factor in the durability, for example, of a facade facing or a pavement subjected to major stresses such as the wind) as well as wear and tear by abrasion when subjected to vehicle traffic or intense pedestrian usage.

Puerta del Sol square ©Guillermo Gonzalez Photography. Image Courtesy of Cluster del Granito

It is cost-effective: Investment costs, sometimes higher than for other substitute materials, are more than compensated for by the low maintenance cost and long service life.

It is not inflammable: Rated as class A1 for reaction to fire("Non-combustible and having no significant contribution to fire"). In addition, in case of fire, it does not release substances that are harmful to health. Just as the stone itself, the reasons for reconsidering granite as an optimal choice in contemporary architecture are unquestionably solid.

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Cite: "Granite - The Great Contemporary Unknown" 01 May 2017. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/870202/granite-the-great-contemporary-unknown> ISSN 0719-8884

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