Mason Blog

September 14, 2017

Why Specify Certified Stone: How the Natural Dimension Stone Sustainability Can Assist Green Building Projects

AIA Credits: 1LU ASLA Credits: 1LU GBCI Credits: 1LU This course highlights how the dimensions stone sustainability standard (ANSI/NSC 373) can assist projects with sustainability goals. The standard examines and verifies through a third party, numerous areas of stone production such as: water usage, custody and transportation, site and plant management, land reclamation, corporate governance, energy, waste, chemicals, worker health and safety innovation credits. It also includes a companion Chain of Custody (COC) program, which ensures traceability of certified stone from the quarry to processing and throughout the supply chain and ultimately to their journeys end.
September 14, 2017

Stone in Design. A Collaboration: Working with Stone Firms in the Early Design Phase

AIA Credits: 1LU ASLA Credits: 1LU This course is intended to instruct attendees about the use of stone in projects as well as defining he key elements in the design process.
September 14, 2017

Using Natural Stone in Today’s Architecture. Stone Design & Architecture

AIA Credits: 1LU ASLA Credits: 1LU IDCEC Credits: 1LU This course will focus on the architect’s sampling process, surface finishes, graphics, basic stone detailing, BIM object libraries, and will touch lightly on anchoring systems. The objective is to provide an understanding of available finishes, and design tools available to architects as they begin the design process and progress toward contract drawings. Consideration will also be given to budget pricing and cost implications of various design options.
September 14, 2017

Using Natural Stone in Today’s Architecture. Stone Formation to Fabrication

AIA Credits: 1LU ASLA Credits: 1LU IDCEC Credits: 1LU This course is an introduction to commercially available natural stones (Granite, Limestone, Sandstone, and Marble) as used in dimension stone production. Geology as it relates to each stone type will be provided to aid in understanding each stone type’s physical properties. Stone harvesting and fabrication will be discussed to educate and provide insight into quarry and production techniques that contribute to successful architectural projects (understanding quarries, color and natural markings as they relate to natural stone, etc). ASTM Testing procedures and relative values will be discussed in relation to the stone categories considered. Also discussed will be piece size and thickness as it relates to the use of each stone type and the effect of quarry type and technique.