Stone: Granite and Slate
John Charette
History
The way that Granite formed is highly debated. There are generally two methods that mother nature uses to assemble the wonderful stone we use today as Architects and designers. Those are: igneous and metamorphic, or simply put formed by volcanic action or transformed over time. The first rock known to this earth have been dated back to the Cambrian period. (If you are feeling old, this next item should make you feel better). That was a period some 570,000,000 years ago during the Paleozoic period. Stone is the most ancient material an architect could work with.
Use
One might ask how to use this wise old material which was formed millions of years ago under heat and pressure. Well for starters think small. Today, massive slabs of granite need not be used. In fact, for the most part, the technology is present which allows stone sheets as thin as 2" to clad a building. Countertops and floor tiles are even thinner. This allows you to design for the look and durability of the material, to lower cost and to save the environment. Stone, because it is a natural material is mined via open pit mining in many parts of the country. Much of the slate we use in new England comes from Vermont and Pennsylvania, Granite originates from many other sources.