ISSUE 35 . OCTOBER 2019
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT STONE
SAFEGUARDING AGAINST SILICOSIS STONE IMPORTS DATA MARMOMAC 2019
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Quality and Service For over 35 years, CDK Stone has been building trust. From selecting your stone masterpiece to supplying the industry with the largest range of stone processing tools and machinery, CDK Stone is your trusted partner. We pride ourselves on our dedication to you. Our commitment is what our customers trust. The trust in knowing that we are your first call. Whether you need advice or need a business solution, we have a range of dedicated specialists you can call first.
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EDITOR’S NOTE
In this edition of Discovering Stone, we revisit an important issue that is afflicting an increasing number of people who work in the stone industry: silicosis. Since we covered the growing impact of this terrible disease in the December 2017 edition, state governments and a number of companies including Caesarstone Australia have taken a leadership position to promote awareness and encourage preventative solutions. To read more, turn to page 6. The trends and innovations coming from Marmomac 2019 are also featured along with the most recent natural stone import data and their value. Most of this imported stone landed in New South Wales followed by Victoria. On the local front, Euro Natural Stone, CMP Stonemason Supplies and Castlewood Kitchens are profiled. Each bring a different perspective to the industry. Caesarstone’s latest surface is part of an award-winning kitchen on TV’s The Block while Headland Machinery is holding a free workshop for attendees to learn how to cut porcelain safely. Read about other company initiatives and products, starting on page 38. The use of natural stone in the Netherlands Supreme Court by Kaan Architecten was acknowledged with a special award that celebrates significant architectural and interior design projects. Read the story on page 47. Until next time,
35
SPECIAL FEATURE: SILICOSIS SAFEGUARDS 6
New legislation and initiatives since Discovering Stone magazine placed a spotlight on this serious disease affecting the industry.
TOOLS 32
STATISTICS 16
Stone imports for the 2018-19 financial year and the top source countries. Peter Halliday reports.
MACHINERY 34
SHOW REPORT 24
The Verona-based Marmomac event explored all aspects of the “naturality” of stone.
PROFILE 30
Residential projects by Euro Natural Stone using Laverna, White Gold and Calacatta Venato marble.
Editor, Discovering Stone Magazine
ON THE COVER: Euro Natural Stone used fully book-matched Laverna marble from Greece in a honed finish, as part of a bathroom project in Dee Why (NSW).
Castlewood Kitchens together with Biesse Group hold a Beyond Blue event to create awareness for anxiety and depression.
INDUSTRY ROUNDUP 38
Caesarstone debuts a new surface on The Block, DesignBUILD’s digital zone, a prominent natural stone pavilion at Surfaces 2020, and more.
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT 46
Betty Tanddo
Latest product releases from CMP Stonemason Supplies including ones that can combat silicosis.
Netherlands Supreme Court wins special stone award.
READ ON THE GO: Scan code to view the latest FREE digital versions of the magazine on our website. Simply click on the front cover once you have scanned the code.
SAFETY
FEATURE
SILICOSIS: New safeguards An outbreak in cases of accelerated silicosis in Australia has sparked calls from government bodies to address what is widely regarded as a national epidemic, and has major implications for people working with stone
T
here have been many developments on a legislative level since Discovering Stone magazine first wrote about the increasing incidence of silicosis in late 2017. Some of the most important initiatives have come from the industry itself. Caesarstone positions itself as Australia’s trusted name in premium quartz surfaces and has been actively working to educate fabricators to implement the correct safety practices across the engineered stone industry for many years. It believes the construction, mining and manufacturing industries are facing significant workplace health and safety challenges, particularly concerning silicosis. Silicosis is not new and is an entirely preventable disease, according to Caesarstone’s managing director for Australia and New Zealand, David Cullen. He told Discovering Stone: “Part of the company’s overall strategy to further improve safety standards involves ensuring all fabricators are aware of, and ready to comply with workplace exposure standards which if enacted as intended, represent a significant decrease in the Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) limits from 0.1 to 0.05 mg/m3 for all fabricators.”
6 | DISCOVERING STONE #35 | www.discoveringstonemagazine.com.au
Above: Caesarstone’s managing director for Australia and New Zealand, David Cullen has taken a leadership role in informing the industry about safely fabricating engineered stone and acting to address workplace health and safety
FEATURE: Silicosis safety
To meet these ongoing challenges, Caesarstone instigated the formation of the Australian Engineered Stone Advisory Group (AESAG). It brought together three of the leading engineered stone suppliers, Caesarstone, Quantum Quartz and Smartstone Australia, with the primary focus of developing an industry-wide response to address the occupational risk of silicosis for fabricators who are working with engineered stone products without the correct safety measures in place. Working alongside state governments particularly in Queensland and NSW and with major suppliers, AESAG has identified what it sees are critical priorities for the industry, including the need for self-regulation. “AESAG’s new accreditation program for fabricators is a vital step towards improving self-regulation, and the group has appointed Wesfarmers subsidiary, Greencap, to manage the program and provide support in implementing the required changes across the industry,” explains David.
website provides easy to follow guidance and videos for fabricators as part of our ongoing commitment to encouraging best practice in the workplace. “Today, we are actively driving the implementation of AESAG’s accreditation program to have all fabricators working with Caesarstone accredited by 30 June 2020. Directly and through Greencap we will work closely with our fabrication partners to assist them to achieve accreditation. “We believe all industry participants have a role to play in preventing silicosis and together we can lead the way to a professional, confident and safe fabrication industry.” CDK Stone has also taken a significant participating role in safety programs surrounding silicosis. Joint managing director, James Woodyatt, explains: “SafeWork NSW have stated that awareness, education and behavioural change are the keys to
eradicating silicosis from our industry, so we have looked for ways to support each of these initiatives. “CDK Stone has contact with the majority of Australia’s stone fabricators, so we teamed with SafeWork NSW to turn their ‘Which Mask’ campaign into 20,000 stickers to be placed on parcels delivered to fabricators to help get the message to frontline of workers who will benefit most from it. “Knowing that we are not qualified to provide advice on this topic, we have used our email database to alert companies to different websites, seminars and services that are offered by relevant experts. “CDK Stone also forwards communications from the various national and state authorities about regulations and safe working guides. Our whole team reinforces the need for behavioural change, urging 8
“Caesarstone remains confident that a cooperative approach to workplace safety can address silicosis because engineered quartz surfaces are entirely safe when fabricators actively implement the recommended workplace regulations and safety standards.” Caesarstone Australia has been a consistently strong advocate and communicator on safely fabricating engineered stone, and in acting to address workplace health and safety. “We continuously update our material safety data sheets and produce and circulate fabrication manuals with the latest health and safety advice, for our fabrication partners. In 2010, we took additional steps to introduce warning notices about the risks of silicosis issuing DVDs and adding notices to our labels, invoices and delivery notes,” said David. “During 2016, we held a series of roadshows across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, educating fabricators on health and safety, and in 2018 Caesarstone was among the first companies to join the Government Taskforce on Health & Safety in both Queensland and New South Wales. “Alongside all of this, Caesarstone’s Master of Stone
PROTECTING PEOPLE POWERING BUSINESS
THE STONE INDUSTRY
Safety & Risk Management Specialists > SILICA SAFETY MANAGEMENT > OHS SYSTEMS & PROCESSES > WORKERS COMP & INJURY MANAGEMENT > QUALITY MANAGEMENT
riskstrategies.com.au
03 9863 8408
FEATURE: Silicosis safety
customers to seek expert guidance and to implement the measures that they recommend.” In addition, the company has expanded its range of products that support its customers and their efforts to comply with new fabrication regulations. These include more wetcutting and grinding tools, H-Class vacuum extractors and a broader range of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) from marketleading manufacturers. It highlights templating, software, production and transportation solutions that largely eliminate the need for on-site processing. James said it gratefully accepted an invitation to join AESAG as an associate member. “Not being a supplier of engineered stone, our role is supplementary to that of the founding members and we were excited to participate in such a powerful industry initiative. We all know that great things can be achieved when an industry aligns and combines to drive change, and that’s what AESAG is doing,” he explains. “Our role is to help the group understand what products are available to support their initiatives,
The Alpha PSG-125 pneumatic grinder from CDK comes with a wet cutting kit
share relevant insights from our knowledge of local and overseas operations, search for products to fill gaps in the market and play our role in driving awareness and change among our customers.”
exposure limit for workers from 0.1 milligrams per cubic metre over an eight-hour shift to 0.05 milligrams. However, the new limit won’t come in for three years and has to be ratified by state and territory governments.
Legislation
The Cancer Council of Australia, unions and Victorian government wanted the limit to be set at 0.02
Safe Work Australia, the national body that develops work health and safety policies, has cut the silica dust
10
CDK distributes the Omnicubed Sink Hole Saver allows sinks holes to be cut in the factory instead of on-site. The Sink Hole Saver reinforces the bench so it doesn’t break in transit once the hole has been cut.
8 | DISCOVERING STONE #35 | www.discoveringstonemagazine.com.au
AC
ITE D E R C
D
S TO N E M ASO
N
INDUSTRY ACCREDITATION IS HERE AND NOW
ALIAN STR AU
If you’re a stonemason in Australia, now is the time to secure a totally safe working environment for your workers and avoid the risk of silicosis. The target date for all stonemasons to be 100% accredited is 30 June, 2020.
GET REGISTERED NOW
Register and complete the simple pre-qualification survey by December 15, 2019 and pay no registration fee (normally $350).
HOW?
Look out for an email from Cm3 during November with details and the online link, or contact us at support@cm3.com.au
www.greencap.com.au
www.cm3.com.au
The Accreditation Program is an initiative of AESAG – the Australian Engineered Stone Advisory Group and is being managed by Greencap using its Cm3 program.
www.aesag.com.au For FAQ’s, head to: www.aesag.com.au/accreditation/FAQs
FEATURE: Silicosis safety
milligrams per cubic metre, which would make Australia a world leader in silica safety. Western Australia and the ACT backed Victoria’s bid to bring the limit down to 0.02 mg, similar to the standard in the USA, but were unsuccessful. At the same time, some business groups had been arguing for the status quo.
The CleanSpace Full Face Mask (PAF-1014) is designed for superior respiratory protection
The Federal Government’s new $5 million national dust diseases task force has also begun work on a prevention, early identification, control and management plan. It is working on getting a national dust disease register up and running by the end of this year. The taskforce is made up of medical experts, researchers and industry representatives. The latest regulations introduced by the Andrews Labor Government banning the uncontrolled dry cutting of engineered stone to protect Victorian workers from exposure to deadly silica dust are now in effect. Employers must now ensure power tools are not used to cut, grind or abrasively polish engineered stone unless on-tool water suppression or
dust extraction devices are in place and respiratory protection is used. The Labor Government’s action plan includes free health screenings for stonemasons, a compliance blitz of high-risk work places and an awareness campaign to highlight the risks.
In Queensland, the state government is set to introduce Australia’s first Code of Practice for the stone benchtop industry. Industrial relations minister Grace Grace said in a statement, “The ‘Managing respirable crystalline silica dust exposure in the stone benchtop industry code of practice 12
The Galeski Ecomax 125 Vario is a onehanded cut-off saw for thin ceramic or natural stone slabs. Available from CDK.
Work with stone? Which mask will you wear?
Used with permission of SafeWork NSW.
Silica dust can be deadly, but exposure is preventable. Above: CDK Stone has teamed with SafeWork NSW to turn their “Which Mask” campaign into 20,000 stickers
10 | DISCOVERING STONE #35 | www.discoveringstonemagazine.com.au
YOUR DEFENCE AGAINST SILICA CleanSpace Respirators exceed minimum requirements for new QLD Code of Practice on silica dust exposure.
sales@cleanspacetechnology.com WWW.CLEANSPACETECHNOLOGY.COM
FEATURE: Silicosis safety
CleanSpace respirators CleanSpace Technology’s respirators meet and considerably exceed the minimum requirement for Workplace Health and Safety Queensland’s new Code of Practice on silica dust exposure. When respiratory protection is required, the code has set the minimum standard as a Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) with a P2 Filter. The respirators from CleanSpace Technology have a P3 filter that provides 99.95% protection against airborne contaminants. The Australian-based company said it is offering a respirator that will revolutionise the respiratory protection industry with a product that has the highest level of protection but is comfortable to wear for long periods.
The FLEX VCE 44 H AC is a safety vacuum cleaner with an automatic filter cleaning system. From CDK.
2019’ which will commence on 31 October 2019, applies to all fabrication or processing, including during installation, maintenance and removal, of engineered and natural stone benchtops. It sets minimum and enforceable standards to ensure silica dust is managed safely and workers are protected.”
A medical approach Monash University’s Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI) is tackling silicosis by testing a hormone that may provide the first effective treatment for it, according to a recent edition of Monash University magazine. BDI’s Dr Jane Bourke, a lung disease expert, has been given funding (by law firm Maurice Blackburn, which is active in occupational lung disease claims) to try to find out whether the hormone relaxin could be a treatment. Monash University’s Dr Ryan Hoy who is with Monash’s School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, will collaborate on the research. Dr Bourke has already studied the effects of relaxin on asthma, and is now extending the study to silicosis. Relaxin is a pregnancy hormone already shown to have anti-fibrotic effects in the kidney and heart, and some other types of lung fibrosis not caused by silica. Dr Bourke’s research in pre-clinical models shows it relaxes the airways, potentially making it easier to breathe.
Historically, many workers don’t like wearing PAPRs as they are usually bulky, heavy, have belt-mounted battery packs, hoses and often there is case fogging of protective eye equipment and moisture on the face. CleanSpace respirators have all the protection of a PAPR but without the belts, hoses and weight. They deliver cool, fresh air to the wearer and prevent fogging and moisture. The clear silicon mask is comfortable and allows for easy communication. These features, along with how easy CleanSpace respirators are to use and put on, will mean a higher level of compliance and therefore protection of stonemasons. Other workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica are involved in excavation, construction and abrasive blasting and the respirators can ensure they have adequate respiratory protection too. There are four models in this respirator range depending on the requirements of the industry. CleanSpace Ultra is IP rated 66, making it water tolerant, ideal for stonemasons carrying out wet-cutting. It can be worn with a full-face or half- face mask. In addition to its products, CleanSpace Technology assists in product training, fit testing and instructions on maintenance and care with attentive customer support and advice.
14
12 | DISCOVERING STONE #35 | www.discoveringstonemagazine.com.au
CleanSpace Ultra & Full Face
EVERYTHING FOR WET PROCESSING
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For our full range of Tools + Equipment for wet processing all types of stone
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W www.cdkstone.com.au Victoria 1 Freighter Road Moorabbin VIC 3189 03 8552 6000
E info@cdkstone.com.au
New South Wales 20 Yulong Close Moorebank NSW 2170 02 9822 5155
Queensland 26 Wrights Place Arundel QLD 4214 07 5537 3222
Facebook.com/cdkstonetoolsandmachinery South Australia 22 Richard Street Hindmarsh SA 5007 08 8340 2877
Western Australia 231 Camboon Road Malaga WA 6090 08 6240 2200
FEATURE: Silicosis safety
Silica safety management system
Left: Lana Rubinstein’s company, Risk Strategies, has worked with a number of different stone businesses to develop and implement appropriate safety measures to minimise silica dust exposure
To help understand exactly what is required to protect workers and comply with new occupational health & safety (OHS) regulations, Discovering Stone magazine spoke to health and safety expert Lana Rubinstein. Her company, Risk Strategies, has worked with a number of different stone businesses over the last two years to develop and implement appropriate safety measures to minimise silica dust exposure and protect professionals working with stone. “To comply with the latest regulations, you also need to ensure that safety procedures, documentation and safety management systems are updated to reflect the changes,” said Lana. “Scrutiny on the industry is only going to increase over the coming months and years as more cases come to light... It’s not just going to be about doing the right thing – you are going to need the documentation to prove it. “Regardless of how large or small your operations are, a silica safety management system should form part of a business’s overall risk management program. Engaging a risk management professional will prove a very worthwhile investment. Their expertise will help with complying with the regulations, but that there is proof that you are exercising your duty of care.” Like any change program, developing a safety management system requires time and appropriate expertise. However, the disruption to your business should be minimal as most of the risk controls associated with silica dust exposure are implemented “on the job”. To begin with, you need to assess the risks, and depending on the severity of each risk factor, implement measures to control the risk. As an employer, under the regulations, you are required to monitor and review these controls on an ongoing basis. Control measures should be developed and implemented in the following order of priority (hierarchy or control): 1. Eliminate the risk; 2. Substitute the hazard with a safer alternative; 3. Isolate the hazard from people by providing physical barriers and exclusion zones; 4. Reduce the risk through engineering controls;
5. Implement administrative controls that provide additional protection such as shift rotations, laundering work wear, policies and procedures, signage and training. If you are not sure if your workers are exposed to levels of silica dust above the exposure standard, or you can’t determine if there’s a risk to a worker’s health – you have an obligation to carry out air monitoring at least annually. Air monitoring can assist in assessing the risk to workers by demonstrating: • how much silica dust your workers are being exposed to; • which processes or products are the source of the exposure; and • if your current control measures are working. All controls must be properly designed, installed, used and maintained so they stay effective at reducing exposure to crystalline silica dust. A review of control measures is required:
• when control measures are not effective – for example, health monitoring shows injury/illness or air monitoring shows airborne silica dust above prescribed standards. • before significant changes are made at the workplace – for example, changes to the workplace itself, systems of work, processes or procedures. • if a new hazard or risk is identified. • if an issue is raised by a worker or HSR (health and safety representative) during consultation. • if an HSR requests review. • at least once every five years. While this will require some investment and potentially require you to purchase new, more appropriate equipment, the benefits (financial and other) far outweigh the costs of your workers suffering injury or illness, or the fall out of failing to comply. After all, the reality is that failing to control the risks associated with silica dust exposure may be considered a criminal offence, according to Lana.
About silica Silica is a natural mineral that is found in a range of building materials including stone, engineered stone, tiles, concrete, bricks and mortar. Stonemasons are at particularly high risk of silica dust exposure because much of their work involves the cutting and polishing products with high amounts of silica in them. Product
Typical silica crystalline content
Reconstituted or engineered stone
Over 90%
Sandstone
70% to 90%
Tile
30% to 45%
Granite
25% to 40%
Slate
20% to 40%
Marble
Less than 5%
Silica dust can be incredibly harmful when inhaled into the lungs – at low to moderate levels over a long period of time, or at high levels over a short period time. In many cases, exposure can be deadly and lead to silicosis (irreversible damage to the lungs), lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and kidney disease. Information provided by Lana Rubinstein from Risk Strategies
14 | DISCOVERING STONE #35 | www.discoveringstonemagazine.com.au
DIAMOND TOOLS for Most fabricators are now familiar with the current trend moving towards processing Dekton, Lapitech, Neolith and Laminum. C.M.P. Stonemason Supplies have collaborated with the leaders in diamond tool technology to provide efficient cutting and polishing these modern day porcelains. The following products are just a few items in the range of tools we carry at C.M.P. Stonemason Supplies. All Dekton tools stocked by C.M.P Stonemason Supplies are endorsed and recommended by Consentino technicians. DIA CERAMICA WET PADS 100mm For the
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ITALDIAMANT FINGER MILLING BIT Matrix formulated for Dekton 23mm diameter x 35L
TENAX MASTIDEK EPOXY Recommended for
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ADW EPIC TURBO BLADE 125mm Free cutting, non-chipping and excellent on all hard materials. Made in SPAIN
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Australian imports of natural stone FY2018-2019 Peter Halliday explores the latest financial year data for imported stone, and looks at the main source countries
T
previous five financial years can be seen in Fig.1. The ABS unfortunately do not record the quantity or weight of the biggest classifications of “Worked or Finished” stone materials imported to Australia so Discovering Stone magazine can only report on the total value of natural stone imported. However, the ABS collect the weights of most “Crude or Roughly Trimmed” stone classifications imported to Australia, covering blocks and pieces of stone mainly imported for further processing. Although this is
he value of natural stone imported into Australia has risen every financial year since 2013-2014. In the last financial year (1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019), the value of natural stone imports again rose by 6.6 per cent. The total value for Australian Customs purposes was AUD301,558,473 according to the latest data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The percentage increase was the largest in three years. A summary of the value of natural stone imports over the
a small proportion of the total, the quantity measurement and values for these classifications can be seen in Fig.4 and Fig.5. The data for all classification is shown in Fig.6. The value of natural stone imports, converted to Australian dollars close to the import date, is called the Australian Customs Value and is affected by the current foreign exchange rate and the prevailing cost of shipping. Fig.2 illustrates the declining foreign exchange rate for the Australian Dollar against the two 20
Fig.1 Natural Stone Historical State Value
DECLARED DESTINATION STATE Financial Year
Australian Capital Territory
New South Wales
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia
Total Declared Customs Value (AUD)
% Change on Previous Financial Year
2014-2015
5,218
89,954,453
941,781
26,931,402
7,624,394
588,109
74,400,579
27,205,929
227,651,866
16.6%
2015-2016
1,315
103,358,503
685,780
34,698,681
7,628,471
661,582
88,338,314
34,573,919
269,946,564
18.6%
2016-2017
71,694
105,265,969
670,925
36,481,682
7,473,351
812,255
90,379,952
31,945,344
273,101,173
1.2%
2017-2018
119,183,722
216,871
42,207,603
6,719,574
702,055
92,074,056
21,888,023
282,991,904
3.6%
2018-2019
128,922,257
158,135
42,970,835
7,508,069
625,159
103,099,999
18,274,019
301,558,473
6.6%
Data Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics
Fig.2 Australian Dollar Exchange Rate 2014-2019
16 | DISCOVERING STONE #35 | www.discoveringstonemagazine.com.au
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Fig.3 Natural Stone Imports by Origin 2018-2019 Financial Year
Country of Origin Argentina
DESTINATION STATE NSW
NT
QLD
SA
TAS
VIC
13,501
Australia (Re-imports)
15,033
Belgium
41,652
Bosnia and Herzegovina
9,374
Brazil
1,757,037
2,100
9,360 528,719
Bulgaria
1,492,984
288,818
40,920
Cambodia
3,708
Canada
373,398
China (excluding SARs and Taiwan)
57,611,364
3,123
259,461 114,627
18,474,185
3,445,867
224,260
50,247,611
Croatia Cyprus
6,599,892 133,552
7,771
Czech Republic
2,089
Denmark
4,430
13,016
Egypt
3,400,383
479,879
2,348 100,010
20,676
Finland Former Yug Rep Macedonia France
WA
56,168 356,022
65,011
Germany
2,523
2,626
Greece
2,209,197
1,159,525
Hong Kong (SAR of China)
9,452
17,076
10,018
1,294,331
India
5,549,672
Indonesia
2,719,816
20,415
183,901
13,501
0.0%
17,133
0.0%
51,012
0.0%
9,374
0.0%
4,067,558
1.3%
40,920
0.0%
6,831
0.0%
632,859
0.2%
136,717,807
45.3%
133,552
0.0%
7,771
0.0%
2,089
0.0%
19,794
0.0%
5,608,584
1.9%
3,347
0.0%
52,887
109,054
0.0%
21,062
897,904
0.3%
33,009
0.0%
178,044
186,525
369,718
0.1%
2,889,147
258,947
33,009
Georgia
% of Grand Total
3,347 445,790
313,304
Customs Value (AUD)
24,614
6,700,717
2.2%
51,141
0.0%
3,367,274
443,925
289,481
4,300,217
1,284,032
15,234,602
5.1%
619,507
48,760
18,974
449,241
395,748
4,272,461
1.4%
Iran
2,197,942
38,300
50,546
811,620
144,436
3,242,843
1.1%
Israel
76,198
75,006
55,507
47,001
5,233
258,944
0.1%
Italy
16,690,718
6,076,174
426,357
16,213,678
3,121,812
Japan
10,246
Jordan
15,320
1,409
Kenya
42,528,740
14.1%
1,281
11,527
0.0%
1,275
18,004
0.0%
9,627
0.0% 0.0%
9,627
Korea, Republic of
3,060
3,523
6,583
Lebanon
160,195
3,970
164,166
0.1%
Malaysia
8,401
115,803
0.0%
Mexico
19,441
Montenegro Morocco
51,503
42,370
1,925,521
13,529
1,712
21,153
0.0%
42,356
42,356
0.0%
496,764
1,035,193
449,735
Myanmar, Republic of
4,288,246
1.4%
16,998
16,998
0.0%
60,694
0.0%
1,550,926
0.5%
522,172
0.2%
40,241
0.0%
Netherlands
33,432
25,036
2,227
New Zealand
512,611
625,732
296,280 21,112
381,033
116,302
Oman
174,049
26,085
Pakistan
13,126
14,679
300,925
Philippines
40,799
105,132
Poland
3,604
34,455
17,264
Portugal
500,823
1,020,878
29,639
9,856
51,036
Russian Federation
2,579
6,476
Singapore
12,064
South Africa
12,085
Spain
2,187,761
Sri Lanka
7,893 285,045 13,913
1,012
2,262,675
1,039
504,660
1,244
145,931
0.0%
55,324
0.0%
1,602,375
0.5%
6,476
0.0%
12,064
0.0%
20,990
0.0%
5,241,180
1.7%
15,157
0.0%
Switzerland
13,435
13,435
0.0%
Syria
40,641
40,641
0.0%
Taiwan
193,067
Thailand
81,039
Tunisia
51,406
Turkey
25,978,301
57,250 5,051
11,872
52,157 9,402,430
1,748,243 186,037
United Arab Emirates
524,372
United Kingdom
1,553,281
95,867
United States of America
563,516
124,397
Viet Nam
1,269,463
2,720
580,472
111,924
20,730
394,844
0.1%
36,548
14,289
189,084
0.1%
94,735
13,665
159,806
0.1%
13,532,434
3,730,578
54,391,986
18.0%
270,995
14,436
809,803
0.3%
2,711,376
488,791
5,035,352
1.7%
53,619
27,871
769,404
0.3% 1.6%
33,553
49,877
2,385,405
427,886
4,749,377 5,485
0.0%
103,099,999
18,274,019
301,558,473
100.0%
6.1%
100.0%
Zimbabwe
2,809
Grand Total
128,922,257
158,135
42,970,835
2,676 7,508,069
625,159
State Share of National Total
42.8%
0.1%
14.2%
2.5%
0.2%
Data Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics
18 | DISCOVERING STONE #35 | www.discoveringstonemagazine.com.au
34.2%
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major trading currencies in which natural stone is mainly purchased, namely US Dollars and Euros. The decline in foreign exchange rates increases the import value and due to absence of quantity data for most stone imports, the volume of stone imported is likely to be less than the percentage increase shown for the value of stone imported. Fig.3 shows the total value of natural stone imports across all major stone import categories during the 2018-2019 financial year, showing the country of origin and the destination
state. Over 82 per cent of natural stone is imported from four countries; China, Turkey, Italy and India. The largest value of imports originated from China, representing 45.3 per cent of the total. Whilst China was the predominant source of imported stone, it must be understood that a lot of the stone was originally quarried in other countries such as Italy but processed in China. There is no separate data on the quarry source of the stone imported to Australia. Natural stone from Turkey and Italy made up 18.0 and
14.1 per cent of the total value import respectively while India represented 5.1 per cent of the total import value. Greece was the next largest source with 2.2 per cent of the total value. These countries combined with imports from Egypt, Spain and United Kingdom cover 90 per cent of the total import value. The largest value of natural stone imported in 2018-2019 landed in New South Wales (42.8 per cent of the total) followed by Victoria (34.2 per cent). Queensland was the third largest destination state by value 23
Fig.4. Import Value of Crude or Roughly Trimmed Stone Imports 2018-2019 Financial Year
DESTINATION STATE Country of Origin
New South Wales
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Brazil
Total Square Metres
Australian Customs Value (AUD)
67,670
204,455
679,519
8,235,865
2,685,842
6,527
6,527 20 148,000
2,089 1,208 21,546
Western Australia
67,670
China (excluding SARs and Taiwan)
1,865,369
1,386,254
336,740
13,948
3,954,035
Czech Republic
20 148,000
Denmark Egypt France
21,600
Germany
1,300
Greece
82,090
India
205,480
Indonesia
123,424
31,960
Israel
3,840
85,930
62,874
24,500
997,879
1,409,523
709,063
277,116
47,600
222,980
775,380
178,299
72,300
3,000
Italy
24,580 702,889
10,018 3,125
181,664 48,250
New Zealand
21,600 1,300
35,459
1,085,341
Poland
22,008
Syria
20,000
Turkey
30
United Arab Emirates
79,000
United Kingdom
417,818
415,030
United States of America
531
1,775
Grand Total
3,650,751
31,960
3,395,430
433,420
35,548
State Share of Crude/Raw Total
24.2%
0.2%
22.5%
2.9%
0.2%
64,060
221,221
144,000
2,153,451
917,782
19,009
93,249
51,720
24,000 6,100
19,950
82,047
74,241
Portugal Spain
51,250
24,000
4,146
6,100
8,596
20,000
16,788
124,973
62,531
187,534
163,102
79,000
5,184
598,916
161,900
1,593,664
287,757
14,850
17,156
38,504
6,305,513
1,206,643
15,059,266
5,456,107
41.9%
8.0%
100.0%
100.0%
Data Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics
Fig.5. Crude or Roughly Trimmed Slate Imports - HSTISC Number 2514000001
DESTINATION STATE Country of Origin
New South Wales Weight Kg
Customs Value (A$)
South Australia Weight Kg
Customs Value (A$)
Tasmania Weight Kg
Customs Value (A$)
Brazil China (excluding SARs and Taiwan)
14,807
524,426
4
1,255
Greece India Grand Total
14,807
524,426
4
1,255
Data Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics
20 | DISCOVERING STONE #35 | www.discoveringstonemagazine.com.au
Victoria
Total Square Metres
Australian Customs Value (AUD)
Weight Kg
Customs Value (A$)
480
9,311
480
9,311
22,181
571,880
36,991
1,097,561
797
9,341
797
9,341
421
5,304
6,160
47,271
6,581
52,575
421
5,304
29,618
637,803
44,849
1,168,788
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Fig.6. Total Natural Stone Imports - Recorded Quantity and Value
FINANCIAL YEAR HTISC Code
Quantity Unit of Measure (UOM)
2506200012 2514000001 2515110002 2515120003 2515200004 2516110005 2516120006 2516201009 2516202010 2516900036 2517100011 6801000001 6802100002 6802210003 6802230005 6802290004 6802290006 6802910007 6802920008 6802930009 6802990010 6803000011
Kilograms Square Metres Kilograms Kilograms Kilograms Kilograms Kilograms Kilograms Kilograms Kilograms Kilograms Not recorded Not recorded Not recorded Not recorded Not recorded Not recorded Not recorded Not recorded Not recorded Not recorded Not recorded
2014-2015 Total Quantity 782,789 49,452 110,271 5,172 2,860,595 665,245 595,829 381,066 5,085,276 14,127,635 -
Grand Total
Total Customs Value (AUD) 234,417 716,500 126,219 10,387 476,043 688,602 141,043 162,495 2,160,710 1,826,506 3,824,345 12,279,258 16,375,590 1,261,722 9,134,494 57,727,610 17,847,786 38,554,287 25,755,400 11,020,545 7,314,815
2015-2016 Total Quantity
Total Customs Value (AUD)
134,256.94 35,810.23 24,330.00 208,496.16 54,178.62 1,370,840.92 597,503.30 612,689.15 283,355.46 4,715,212.19 50,018,411.19 -
207,638,772
57,041 546,085 24,617 242,485 8,884 534,829 300,215 158,662 139,700 1,946,461 5,288,923 32,082,337 4,212,434 13,138,985 15,925,917 1,549,364 10,704,991 71,908,072 21,245,997 46,493,730 30,703,997 12,732,839
2016-2017 Total Quantity
Total Customs Value (AUD)
521,043 41,549 17,325 430,898 742,520 1,601,777 1,442,340 756,278 327,800 6,488,268 152,557,784 -
269,946,564
219,218 506,516 10,437 1,105,982 144,062 595,415 566,576 197,719 171,736 2,274,762 10,752,629 30,990,129 2,882,610 11,867,154 12,249,156 1,669,438 9,651,929 83,348,195 17,590,198 49,435,233 25,636,210 11,235,867 273,101,173
2017-2018 Total Quantity 580,993 133,602 34,052 568,899 133,340 155,570 1,230,794 510,201 410,494 5,722,333 11,892,331 -
Total Customs Value (AUD) 294,027 695,248 24,109 955,212 18,617 67,954 532,591 147,135 203,414 2,308,835 2,526,318 38,034,241 3,949,306 12,661,294 13,173,080 1,879,701 7,952,163 85,138,545 20,413,103 55,284,426 25,301,238 11,431,344
2017-2018 Total Quantity 63,768 44,849 22,004 481,662 31,600 537,270 523,954 543,931 3,658,737 9,196,340 -
282,991,904
Total Customs Value (AUD) 70,113 1,168,788 31,556 516,027 24,233 210,158 149,203 312,107 1,757,721 2,384,988 43,227,526 3,310,404 16,560,477 13,826,042 2,544,735 9,700,972 89,628,241 22,100,646 54,062,951 27,042,236 12,929,348 301,558,473
Data Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics
Fig.7. Harmonized Tariff Item Statistical Code (HTISC) Descriptions HTISC 2506200012 2514000001 2515110002 2515120003 2515200004
Description Quartzite, whether or not roughly trimmed or merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (incl. square) shape (excl. quartzite in shapes identifiable as road or paving sets, flagstones or curbstones (HS 6801)) Slate (incl. powder & waste), whether or not roughly trimmed or merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (incl. square) shape (excl. mosaic cubes; slate cut into shapes other than rectangular; worked slate) Crude or roughly trimmed marble and travertine, of an apparent specific gravity of 2.5 or more Marble and travertine, of an apparent specific gravity of 2.5 or more, merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (incl. square) shape (excl. crude or roughly trimmed marble and travertine) Ecaussine and other calcareous monumental or building stone (excl. marble & travertine), of an apparent specific gravity of 2.5 or more, and alabaster, whether or not roughly trimmed or merely cut into blocks or slabs of a rectangular shape
2516110005
Crude or roughly trimmed granite
2516120006
Granite, merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (incl. square) shape (excl. crude or roughly trimmed granite)
2516201009
Crude or roughly trimmed sandstone
2516202010
Sandstone, merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (incl. square) shape (excl. crude or roughly trimmed sandstone)
2516900036 2517100011
Porphyry, basalt and other monumental or building stone (excl. granite and sandstone), whether or not roughly trimmed or merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (incl. square) shape Pebbles, gravel, broken or crushed stone, of a kind commonly used for concrete aggregates, for road metalling or for railway or other ballast, shingle and flint, whether or not heat-treated
6801000001
Setts, curbstones and flagstones of natural stone (except slate)
6802100002
Tiles, cubes and similar articles of natural stone, the largest surface area of which is capable of being enclosed in a square the side of which is less than 7 cm; artificially coloured granules, chippings and powder
6802210003
Marble, travertine and alabaster, simply cut or sawn, with a flat or even surface
6802230005
Granite, simply cut or sawn, with a flat or even surface
6802290004
Calcareous stone, (excl. marble, travertine and alabaster), simply cut or sawn, with a flat or even surface
6802290006
Stone (excl. calcareous or granite), simply cut or sawn, with a flat or even surface
6802910007
Marble, travertine and alabaster (excl. simply cut or sawn with a flat or even surface)
6802920008
Calcareous stone (excl. marble, travertine and alabaster, and simply cut or sawn with a flat or even surface)
6802930009
Granite, (excl. simply cut or sawn with a flat or even surface)
6802990010
Stone, (excl. calcareous or granite, and simply cut or sawn having a flat or even surface)
6803000011
Worked slate and articles of slate or of agglomerated slate
Data Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics
22 | DISCOVERING STONE #35 | www.discoveringstonemagazine.com.au
at 14.2 percent followed by Western Australia at 6.1 per cent. While 97.8 per cent of the total value is “Worked or Finished” stone, the only categories that Australian Customs records a measure of quantity against are the “Crude or Roughly Trimmed” natural stone import codes (HTISC beginning with 25). The total value of ‘Crude or Roughly Trimmed’ stone imported in 2018-2019 was AUD6,624,895. This represents 2.2 per cent of the total import value. “Crude or Roughly Trimmed” stone is largely imported in a roughly quarried format before working or processing into finished articles in Australia, ready for consumer or project use. The import quantities and values are heavily influenced by commercial projects and overseas pricing. The HS category numbers of all “Crude or Roughly Trimmed” categories
begin with 25, as detailed in Fig.7. All but one of these “Crude or Roughly Trimmed” category quantities are measured in kilograms. HTISC 2514000001 (Slate, roughly cut or sawn) is measured in square metres. The total import weight of the “Crude or Roughly Trimmed” stone categories where weights are recorded was 15,059,266 Kilograms. The total value of those imports was AUD$5,456,107 as shown in Fig.4. Slate imported in roughly trimmed form, HTISC number 2514000001, is shown in Fig.5. These slate imports totalled 44,849 square metres with an Australian Customs Value of AUD1,168,788. The majority was imported into Victoria. A further AUD12,929,348 of slate was imported in “Worked” form under HTISC 6803000011. A breakdown of imports of natural stone over the last five financial years
into the various HTISC Codes can be seen in Fig.6. The total import value figures collected includes all the major international Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS) classifications describing natural stone in either a “crude” or “worked” form. The 10-digit level of the classification system is also known as the Harmonized Tariff Item Statistical Code (HTISC) which describes stone in broad categories such as ‘Crude or Roughly Trimmed’ stone, ‘Pebbles and Gravel’ (all codes beginning with 25) as well as the biggest grouping, ‘Worked or Finished’ stone (codes beginning with 68), then breaks them down into common types. A table of import classification descriptions can be found in Fig.7. Peter Halliday is managing director of Decor8 Tiles
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MARMOMAC 2019
MARMOMAC 2019: GEODIVERSITY OF STONE Joe Simpson reports on the latest Marmomac, an event that celebrates natural stone and the technology, machinery and artistry that goes into creating it
24 | DISCOVERING STONE #35 | www.discoveringstonemagazine.com.au
Once again, a key zone at the most recent Marmomac held in the Italian city of Verona was The Italian Stone Theatre. It is a dedicated hall focusing on design, innovation, and experimentation. This year, the theme was “Naturality”, a characteristic that plays an increasingly important role at Marmomac.
T
he Italian Stone Theatre offered a complete overview of the design potential of natural stone when sculpted and finished, using the most advanced machinery and processing technologies. The versatility and accuracy of modern stone processing tools allowed architects and designers to give full expression to their creativity. Following its debut in 2018, The Italian Stone Theatre welcomed back Brand & Stone 2.0, the exhibition that saw major furniture and high-end brands (Antonio Lupi, Aston Martin, Baxter, Casamania, Horm, and Tonino Lamborghini Casa) create specific projects for companies in the natural stone sector. The Percorsi d’Arte (Art Ways) exhibition curated by Raffaello Galiotto investigates how machinery can be used in artistic processing of stone materials. In recent years, with the spread of numerical control technologies, businesses in the natural stone sector have installed increasingly highperformance systems. Marmomac 2019 abounded in many similar creative spaces. Perhaps the greatest impact was achieved Lithic Garden curated by Vincenzo Pavan. Drawing on both modern and medieval examples; the Lithic Garden explored
the interplay between different materials to generate new ideas for human habitat based on sustainability, balance, and harmony with nature. Drawing on a talented pool of designers and stone processing companies, The Lithic Garden unwound along a paved path overlooked by five spaces, each marked off by three walls allowing a cross-section view of the interior garden they enclose. Horizontal and vertical surfaces, seats and sculptural elements, vegetal or water inserts gave shape to the designs that experimented with new-generation stone processing technologies. For this installation, Zaha Hadid Code and Giuseppe Fallacara worked with Pi.Mar, Vincenzo Latina with Pizzul Marmi Aurisina, and Zenith C; Marco Piva with Lavagnoli Marmi and Pellegrini Meccanica, Setsu and Shinobu Ito with Errebi Marmi, and CZA Cino Zucchi Architetti with Franchi Umberto Marmi. The installations were connected by a paved path developed by Cancian Pavimenti, while the relaxation spaces were designed by Alberto Minotti in collaboration with Galvani Trading and Marmi Ragano Ma.Ra. The concept of Hortus Conclusus is taken up in Lithic Garden, with the development of five settings providing a cross-section view of the interior of a stone garden, while Natural Things seeks to rediscover the relationship between man and nature through eight new design projects. This hall is also complemented by the Ristorante d’Autore, dedicated to gastronomic excellence in a setting that recalls rocky landscapes, and the Wine Bar.
Cocoon furniture by Daniel Germani for Gandiablasco uses Pietra Di Vicenza in collaboration with Tenax
Tired attendees could always chill out in this beguiling space curated by ADI Veneto and Trentino Alto Adige Delegation. Here, excellent food and 26
www.discoveringstonemagazine.com.au | DISCOVERING STONE #35 | 25
SHOW REPORT
MARMOMAC 2019
wine was served in a welcoming, convivial and relaxing venue that offered guests the movement and sensations of the rocky landscapes. The space featured marble and natural stone forms that had been apparently shaped and modelled over time by water, wind, and stone merge to create a single, constantly changing form. The Ristorante d’Autore featured 14 projects, each of which was a clear designer’s snapshot, with the entire setting surrounded by evocative tree species. The featured designers were Michela Baldessari, Paolo Criveller, Luca Facchini, Valerio Facchin, Silvia Sandini, Carlo Trevisani, Simone Bellan, Alberto Vendrame, Ascanio Zocchi, and Marco Bonomo; and the stone companies taking part were Balducci Marmi, Cosi, GDA Marmi, Helios Automazioni, Intermac, Map Slate, Sassomeccanica, and T&D Robotics. Another bold initiative is The Young Stone Project, an event dedicated to young students and researchers. It brought together stone material prototypes developed by six universities (Bari, Bologna, Pescara, Rome, Venice, and Verona) and the Sant’Ambrogio di Valpolicella School of Marble. Fresh innovations at Marmomac 2019 included an educational project targeting interior designers, called Meet the Inspiration. This sought to teach interior decorators, surveyors, and architects working in showrooms how to present marble more effectively to end consumers. It closely analysed specific aspects of natural stone
Francia and es Calcareniti Di Stone Shelters us e Project on St g un Yo The was featured in the
products and the way these materials can be used, with reference to popular furniture and social media trends. Marmomac 2019 also proved that the show is increasingly in tune to today’s digital media. It offered new digital online catalogues: People+Products+Projects. Here, the aim was to help exhibiting companies promote themselves by highlighting their history and their entire portfolio of completed projects. This year also saw the launch of a trial related to the geolocation of visitors; a useful feature on an event of this scale that takes in the region of 12,000 metres per day to cover in full. The new app integrates with the geolocation system in all exhibition halls so that visitors can save their favourite exhibitors, voice and text memos, as well swap digital business cards. It ran alongside a B2B online platform for matching supply and demand offering Italian and international companies and buyers the chance to meet, arrange appointments on stands, and manage daily agendas.
KEY INNOVATIONS Innovations at Marmomac are always too numerous to mention; but two from 2019 deserve special attention. One is Lupatoid; a new system from Lupato Meccanica that redefines rough finishes on stone. This company, known for the design and manufacture of tools and machines for rough finished stone, has developed a new system for the definition of the stone finishes. It hopes to create a new language that will become a standard. Lupato Meccanica, which claims the first patent for a rotary bushhammering tool, has always been committed to finding solutions in the field of rough finishes. While numerous patents have radically transformed traditional production systems and allowed to manufacture of tools to produce over 60 different finishes, the company believes that Lupatoid represent the missing piece in this revolution; one that finally gives an identity to all the finishes, overcoming the linguistic limits of both tradition and international trade.
26 | DISCOVERING STONE #35 | www.discoveringstonemagazine.com.au
Quattro by Michela Baldessari was part of Ristor ante d’Autore
Founded in 1983, Nassar Stone is one of the pioneers of Jerusalem Stone; now produced in several textures and finishes that do justice to the warmth and richness of the stone’s unmatched colour. Nassar Stone now has five factories, including operations in Jordan and Oman, and a total production capacity of 2 million sqm, which is distributed to 72 countries. At Marmomac, Nassar Stone launched the latest edition of its Original Jerusalem Gold Quarries, enhancing the company’s classic neutrals collections through the introduction of new and exclusive finishes and creative textures. Franchi Umberto Marmi’s participation at Marmomac followed hard on the heels of the launch of the Home Design range at Salone del Mobile, Milan. This marked a fundamental step in the company’s development; one driven by a fusion of technologies, raw materials, and finished products that are absolutely environmentally sustainable.
The Italian Stone Theatre is a dedi cated hall focusing on design, innovation, and experime ntation
Franchi Umberto Marmi has enhanced marbles and certain products in the Home Design range with Swarovski crystals. At Marmomac, these exclusive Advanced Crystal designs were shown next to new finished products that stem from the creative collaboration with Eugenio Biselli of Interninow. The stand featured large interactive video walls that carried the visitor into high impact scenarios, while a carpet of luminescent marble sand added an almost magical effect. The last company to catch Discovering Stone’s eye was Mondo Marmo Design. This Italian company offered Rialto: a stylish re-interpretation of Venice’s ancient terrazzo floors. It allows personalized design and precision on a large scale. The Rialto range features water-jet cut marble inserts in various materials in calm balanced colours, such as bardiglio, pearl pink, carrara white, and Sardinian breccia. Careful combination of moulds, water jet cutting, different marble types, and the binding pastes allows almost infinite personalisation, even for order quantities of just a few square metres. The Rialto designs are produced in three sizes; 400 by 400mm, 600 by 600mm and 1,500 by 650mm.
Great Ocean by Simone Bella n is inspired by Gr eat Ocean Road in Victoria. It wa s part of the Ristoran te d’Autore exhi bit.
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Libra by Serena es Confalonieri us Pietra Pietra Leccese, aro,and rp Ca ni, tu Os di erial Poggiadro mat
The Stone Torn ado by Marco Piva is part of the Lithic Ga rden. Materials used include Bianco Carrara Olmo and Travertino.
DJ Collection by uses Alberto Minotti , Quarzite Jatoba le, Cristallo Imperia us. It ino m Lu o m ar M mmon was part of Co Italian Spaces in The Stone Theatre.
The company’s literature shows some highly attractive dÊcor options including Carnevale, Sventola, Laguna, Patera, and Barena. Among the various marble chippings used to create these designs are white Carrara, black Marquina, Botticino, Emperador dark, red Verona, and Daino.
AWARDS Marmomac 2019 also ran its usual tranche of awards. These include the Icon Award that celebrates the best work within the scope of The Italian Stone Theatre and will be carried forward as the image for the event’s 2020 promotional campaign. The Best Communicator Award acknowledged outstanding marketing innovation by a select few exhibiting companies; while the Archmarathon Stone Award celebrates the talent of the best international architectural studios working with stone. Business opportunities involving natural stone remain at the heart of the event and its product categories: marble, natural stone, granite, agglomerates and conglomerates, marble blocks, unhewn stone and large formats, processing machinery and equipment, means of transport and lifting, abrasives, diamond-cutting systems, chemical products and services. With the aim of being an increasingly effective business tool, Marmomac 2019 hosted B2B meetings in a speed dating format; with a focus on applications in three areas (luxury, slabs and tools), each with specific targets (architects, distributors, marble operators and installation technicians) from countries including Australia, USA, Canada, UK, Russia, China, South Africa, Germany, Mozambique, Turkey, and Iran. This year, it attracted more than 69,000 trade visitors from 154 countries; drawn to a trade event featuring 1,650 exhibiting companies from 61 different countries.
Coral Table by Dustin W hite and Mau by coral reef rizio Barberio s and uses Pa is inspired lissandro Br of the Natur onzo Brown. al Things ex It was part hibit.
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As ever, Marmomac was far more than just a commercial opportunity, although the display featured an impressive spread of inspiration from the natural stone, machinery, processing technology, and applied design sectors.
SHOW REPORT
MARMOMAC 2019
With international attendees now constituting 62% of visitors, Marmomac 2019 really underlined its international reach, and its position as the key calendar date for the whole of the natural stone industry. And it is a vast event: with over 80,000sqm of exhibition space spread across12 show halls and capacious outdoor exhibition areas. “Marmomac 54 has achieved all the goals we set,” said Maurizio Danese, president of Veronafiere, organisers of Marmomac. “The promotion of the unique qualities of natural stone, and the collaboration with Confindustria Marmomacchine within the PNA (Pietra Naturale Autentica or Authentic Natural Stone) Network, stimulated the market. We have also worked closely with ICE (Italian Trade Agency) and the Ministry of Economic Development to consolidate internationality through B2B meetings. “Marmomac is the leading exhibition
Diapason by Nicolas Bertoux makes use of Bianco Carrara and Cms machinery
for…products as well as solutions that play a fundamental role in promoting the value chain focusing around natural stone.
promoting business, also pays special attention to artistic experimentation and projects involving major luxury brands.
“This show will receive investment through to 2022, totalling Euro 105 million, with the aim of further strengthening its international reach, and improving services for exhibitors and operators.”
One of the great attractions of Marmomac is the inspiration it provides for designers, architects, processors, distributors, installers, and retailers alike.
This increasingly international exhibition, while continuing to focus on
Joe Simpson is Discovering Stone’s international correspondent
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PROFILE
ENS contributes to residential luxury A marble countertop makes a statement. Euro Natural Stone uses this quarried stone to send a message of luxury and style through its projects.
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uro Natural Stone (ENS) works with a large number of architects and designers from its Sydney base on a diverse range of projects, from high end residential homes to stylish commercial spaces. It also deals directly with consumers who are not industry professionals, and are designing their own projects. Offering fabrication and installation services allows the team to assist its customers from the first steps of selecting the stone right through to the finished project. ENS aims to make the process as stress free as possible by providing high quality products, experienced staff and reliable lead times. Most of its natural stone is sourced in Greece, Turkey, Italy, Brazil and Spain. The company directors have long-established business relationships with the suppliers in these countries. As a result, it is confident that the stock its selects will meet customers’ expectations. Once an ENS client selects their preferred natural stone and supplies project details, staff deliver a quote for fabrication and installation. Once the client accepts, ENS asks that it receives notification as soon as the joinery is finished. When the joinery is completed, it can take site measurements. From these measurements, ENS will create detailed shop drawings. These will be
The kitchen in Castle Cove features Calacatta Venato marble
White Gold marble in the kitchen bench top and splashback, in Darlinghurst
sent to the client/builder for approval. Fabrication of the stone can begin as soon the shop drawings are approved. During this stage, ENS can advise on an installation date before the team installs the stone.
Stone at home Recently, ENS has been involved in a number of residential projects located in the Sydney suburbs of Dee Why, Darlinghurst and Castle Cove. In Dee Why, Laverna marble from Greece in a honed finish was used in fully book-matched bathrooms. The Darlinghurst project features White Gold marble from Turkey in the kitchen bench top and splashback. This marble is in a polished finish. Calacatta Venato marble from Italy was used on the kitchen benchtop, island and splash back in the Castle Cove home. Many homeowners feel that a whiter marble looks more luxurious and Calacatta does not follow a linear pattern and is often considered one of the pure marbles in appearance. In the bathroom vanities, book-matched Carrara C marble has been used where there are thicker and larger patterns. The lead time depends on the
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size of the project but in general, a residential project is around two to four weeks. The team at ENS also updates the client during every step of the process. They are trained to answer any questions from the customer has onsite, and the sales representative can be contacted at any time.
Laverna marble in a honed finish was used in fully book-matched bathrooms, in the Dee Why residence
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TOOLS
CMP expands, stands for the industry CMP Stonemason Supplies has been providing tools and machinery, both large and small, abrasives, adhesives and first-class service to the stone industry since 1991. It always looks to find the best available products from around the world for its customers.
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ccording to director, Christy Pillay, the business is in a better position to provide an improved service with two new recruits. Steve Cook joined CMP earlier this year as its new manager. With his skills and extensive industry experience, he is managing staff, bringing greater efficiencies to logistics and warehousing and helping to streamline administrative procedures. Morris Sione is in sales and responsible for warehousing duties. He is also CMP’s friendly and reliable driver making deliveries to Melbourne customers.
Latest products CMP has a number of different tools and adhesives to offer. Leading diamond tool manufacturer, Italdiamant in collaboration with Cosentino, has produced the EvoGres range of bridge and mitre saw blades that will cut Dekton up to 20mm thick at given parameters. The great advantage of Italdiamant’s blades are that they can cut all other porcelain materials so no more changing blades for different products. There is a Dekton-specific bridge saw blade known as the EvoGres Plus series in 400mm, 450mm and
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500mm. The mitre saw blade is a 350mm diameter. In addition, Italdiamant has CNC milling fingers and 35mm x ½” gas core drills. Tenax has developed a new stone adhesive called Titanium, an epoxy vinyl ester that is a much stronger bond for all materials. It originally came in a 1litre tin using the traditional 45ml tube of hardener but with a curing time of 30 minutes, it has taken the market by storm as an alternative to Tenax Marble Super Transparent, Thassos and Crystal that take 24 hours to cure. In the 1litre tin version, the natural state without colouring it is a translucent white, ideally suited to white marbles such as Carrara or Calacatta. Obviously, it can be tinted to match any material. As it is a stronger bond than the regular polyester-resin Tenax adhesives, it can be used for chip repairs on all materials (except porcelain). Titanium is now also available in a 250ml cartridge system. It is pre-coloured to match stone or porcelain. Like PowerBond and Mastidek, it is low-odour with a higher viscosity, meaning it will stay where it is applied without dripping. Titanium is only suitable for use in indoor applications. For outdoor projects, a genuine epoxy product from Tenax – PowerBond or Mastidek – should be used. Both of these epoxies are zero-yellowing, and zero-VOC, and will take a polish. ADW of Spain has a brandnew range of diamond tools to ensure fast cutting and drilling of Dekton and all porcelains. There is a 125mm reinforced-centre, thin blade for the grinder and a selection of thin-wall core drills with a ½” gas back-end fitting complete with an M14 internal thread, so it can
be used on a CNC work centre or screwed onto a 125mm grinder, for wet use only. The core drills are available in 6mm, 10mm, 20mm, 25mm, 35mm, 50mm 60mm and 80mm diameters. ADW’s 125mm and 230mm diameter blades for cutting hard granite are also available.
Silicosis protection As Australia enters an era with silicosis affecting all aspects of the stone industry, the repercussions to the health, livelihoods and futures of many workers have been severe. CMP’s thoughts and well wishes are with these people. There have already been many changes, with more to come, over coming months regarding the practices and methods used by benchtop fabricators to ensure the
safety and welfare of professionals who work with engineered stone. CMP is working hard to make sure that it can offer the necessary and correct tools, equipment, machinery and personal protective equipment so that everyone is protected and can work safely. Compliance with new regulations is mandatory, which means those changes to processes and methods of eliminating drycutting and grinding will likely lead to an increase in demand
for automated machinery to accommodate wet-processing methods. Its alliance with Farnese Australia allows CMP to provide a range of these machines, including the EasySink, CNC work centres (Alexia and Legend), CNC bridge saws (Marc5 and TecniCut), jib cranes and silo water filtration systems (of 2500litre and 7500litre capacity). For more information, please refer to CMP’s website.
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MACHINERY
Castlewood and Biesse Group become blue for a cause People are considered Castlewood Kitchen’s main asset. Directors Alison and Pat Abela work very hard to ensure their employees are happy and feel valued.
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cup of tea or coffee in addition to their regular breaks, and a cake for birthdays are some of the small but welcome things staff at Castlewood Kitchens enjoy in an otherwise busy workday. To say, “I’m here for you”, everyone shakes hands when they arrive in the morning and go home in the afternoon. And if someone looks a little despondent, Alison and Pat are quick to find out why, but more importantly and see what they can do to help. They are serious about the well-being of all their staff, and understand there is growing evidence that when employees are happy then a business thrives. With this in mind, the company joined with Biesse Group to host a Beyond Blue barbeque earlier this year, raising over $2,000 for this very worthwhile cause. Alison said, “Three million Australians live with anxiety or depression and every day about eight people take their own lives.” Staff were encouraged to dress in blue for the day and Biesse Group provided the barbeque and drinks.
Siblings and directors, Alison and Pat Abela
A team photo was taken to mark the Beyond Blue event hosted by Castlewood Kitchens and Biesse Group
Origins Castlewood Kitchens is a family company started in 1984 by Alison and Pat’s parents, Mario and Colleen. It wasn’t always easy but through all the struggles, Mario always looked after the people who worked for them. The workers’ pay always came first and there were many times when Mario and Colleen went without so that staff could get paid. It’s this kind of commitment to their people that Alison and Pat have maintained since they became directors three years ago. The siblings worked their way up through the ranks. Pat didn’t want to be known as the boss’s son so after his apprenticeship, he started on the shop floor and did every job in the factory. It took fifteen years to become a director with Alison joining him from an admin role after 12 years. They both know the business well and their decisions are based on sound advice and input from staff. The workers feel involved and very few leave to work at other cabinet firms, according to Alison and Pat.
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Biesse Group’s involvement with Castlewood started many years ago with the installation of a Skill nesting machine. This machine replaced the old method of cutting sheets on a sliding table panel, and produced an immediate surge in output. From a factory in St. Mary’s to Riverstone and then to Minchinbury in New South Wales where they are now located, Biesse Group has always been its major technology partner. Through the years, Castlewood has grown, work has increased, and assembly has improved to the point where it became time came to review their equipment needs.
Machinery purchase Working closely with Biesse Group, Pat and his team considered a new Rover B nesting machine. Pat explains, “The salespeople from Biesse offered us a lot of advice then left us alone to consider what they had said, and what we thought we needed. 36
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Staff are involved in many of important decisions made by the company. Photography by Phil Ashley.
They weren’t pushy and they didn’t overpower us with ideas. We knew we had a pretty efficient assembly crew, but that storage was our biggest issue. We were thinking about moving to larger premises and we considered this as well. We thought that if we could schedule our work and get it through the CNC machine efficiently, we could stay where we were and get the cabinets out the door in a ‘just-intime’ or lean manufacturing process. “After looking at all the options with the people from Biesse it was clear that we should bite the bullet and get a second machine at the same
time. This would future-proof our production and make sure that we were able to get the material onto the CNC machines as close as possible to the delivery date. “We thought, let’s do it once and let’s do it right. We had an idea on a new factory layout and Biesse fine-tuned the plan. Everyone at Castlewood was very happy with the result.” Castlewood installed two Biesse Rover B nesting machines with auto labelling and infeed and outfeed equipment. Alison adds, “The two Biesse machines have helped us to become much more efficient. Our factory isn’t congested any more, and there’s a lot less pressure on our people.” Naturally, the employees were involved in the decisions leading up to the purchase of the new Biesse machines and production.
Quality standards
People are considered one of Castlewood’s greatest assets. Photography by Phil Ashley.
Castlewood Kitchens make all aspects of domestic cabinetry in a house. “It’s mostly kitchens and bathrooms but we can do anything including full-house fit-outs. We work for some of the biggest builders in New South Wales including Sekisui, Allam, Clarendon and Metricon, some of who build up to 1,000 homes a year! We’re well-known for our supply and service so our tradespeople and our
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equipment have to be up to the task”, said Alison. “With Biesse, we’re confident that we can meet the needs of all our customers and at the same time, guarantee the work moves through the factory smoothly. We don’t want to be the biggest kitchen manufacturer around; we like to keep control of everything so we can still provide the personal touch.” Pat adds, “Our business methods and our Biesse equipment have given us time to better our factory and get ourselves more organised. During the last eight years we were doing some extreme hours to get the work out and this is another reason we needed help from Biesse Group. Their technology has helped us reduce our backlog of orders and our overtime labour costs.” When asked what he would like to say about Castlewood Kitchens, Pat said, “We’re a family-oriented company providing support, opportunity and reward for effort.” Castlewood Kitchens and Biesse Group both share the same belief that together with their employees, they can make a difference. Pat said, “I met Biesse’s new general manager recently and learnt that he has a similar mindset to us about our employees.” Alison and Pat believe depression is a major issue in a family and work environment. Alison said, “We don’t like to see anyone, especially our people coming to work depressed. We do what we can to try and understand what the problem is even if that means sitting down for several hours if that’s what it takes.” In the manufacturing industry, too many companies are overly focused on what they do and overlook who is doing the work. A recent study found there was a causal link between unhappiness and decreased productivity that had a lasting effect of about two years. For Alison and Pat, a happy workplace is a productive workplace, but happiness is more than a weekly pay cheque.
Story by Phil Ashley
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INDUSTRY ROUNDUP
The Block winning kitchen A kitchen that impressed the judges on popular renovation TV show, The Block took out first prize and served as the public debut of a brand new surface. Empira White, by Caesarstone, took a decade to perfect and was used on all benchtops and splashbacks. It made a major contribution to the kitchen’s signature style, with judge Neale Whitaker stating the kitchen was one of the best ever delivered on The Block. Contestants Deb and Andy’s kitchen featured a three-storey high vaulted ceiling and a mix of Shaker-style matte white cabinetry, brass fixtures and natural timber. Caesarstone’s Empira White quartz surface is the latest interpretation of authentic white marble and combines the purest of white bases with an elegant tracery of fine black veins and underlying shadowy alluvial layers. Together this complexity of detail adds depth and movement to the polished quartz surface, creating
Caesarstone’s Empira White debuted on an award winning kitchen on The Block. Kitchen by Kinsman Kitchens. Photography by Shania Shegedyn.
an organic interplay between light and dark. And while Deb and Andy’s kitchen has been designed for the heavy traffic of a busy family, it also has the requisite amount of glamour and style to ensure it is the ideal space for serious entertaining. Caesarstone quartz surfaces have
Cut porcelain safely Learn to cut porcelain with a waterjet at Headland Machinery’s free workshop this December. During this one-hour workshop, participants will learn all about abrasive waterjet cutting for stone and porcelain. The workshop will include system set up and programming to achieve optimal results. Headland will also demonstrate tips and tricks to achieve the best from the abrasive waterjet system. An OMAX waterjet is an environmentally friendly and productive way to cut a variety of materials and thicknesses. With accuracy, efficiency, and safety in mind, it cuts 50% faster than other waterjets. A faster cutting method can also save money. The Omax system can cut all types of stone products such as Silestone, Ceasarstone, Dekton, Maximum and many more, in thickness up to 200mm. The controls within the software allow users to precisely control cutting speeds. For a finished edge or a surface to bond to, abrasive waterjet cutting creates a satin-smooth edge. It is more precise, reducing secondary operations. This in-house stone demonstration will be located in Burwood, Victoria. To register interest, please email marketing@headland.com.au.
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the added benefits of being scratch, heat, chip and stain resistance. The company is committed to the highest safety and environmental standards and carries the ISO 14001 international standard for environmental management and performance.
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Rethinking the built environment In recognition of the changing needs and challenges of the building industry, DesignBUILD 2020 will look towards the future of Australia’s built environment with a renewed focus. Now entering its 34th year, the annual industry event is one of Australia’s longest running trade show that brings together architects, commercial builders and property developers with manufacturers and suppliers in the commercial design and construction industry. Building on this foundation, DesignBUILD is implementing several changes for its 2020 event. These include the launch of a new Digital Building Zone, to capitalise on the digitisation opportunity in the AECO (Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Owner-operated) sector. It will offer an immersive experience for major players to showcase solutions in construction technology and smart buildings. DesignBUILD will also work closely with UK sister event Digital Construction Week, to deliver the latest thinking in the construction industry including cloud-based design collaboration, artificial intelligence and sensor technology. Newly appointed event director James Laing is eager for the 2020 event to demonstrate the continuing
A renewed focus for DesignBUILD 2020
innovations happening throughout the entire build process in Australia. “There are a number of profound changes that have rapidly affected the construction industry over the past year, including issues around cladding and defective materials,” he said. “Through our renewed 2020 focus, we hope to offer visitors a forum where they can connect with trustworthy brands representing the entire build spectrum, learn about practical solutions, and engage with cutting-edge technology. “In response to extensive visitor and exhibitor research, we have created a standalone event for our
Chinese exhibitors that will sit outside of DesignBUILD to deliver a better experience for attendees.” In taking a more holistic view of the future built environment, the event will be co-located with Total Facilities for the first time, supporting the need for high-performing facilities, intelligent living and work spaces. This will make DesignBUILD 2020 the largest destination for Australia’s built environment. .Interested parties are invited to experience the next DesignBUILD, which is returning to the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from 21-23 April 2020.
No more slipping Introducing Dekton Grip+, an antislip treatment that offers exceptional performance and a smooth feel on Dekton interior and exterior floors. Grip+ enables Dekton to be used where a high level of slip resistance is required, maximising safety in high traffic and wet environments such as showers, pavements, surfaces in and around pools, spas and dressing rooms. The finish adheres to the material before the particle sintering process
Grip+ has a lightly textured surface and is homogeneous, uniform and pleasant to the touch. It is also easy to maintain and long-lasting.
that is involved in manufacturing Dekton. It becomes part of the molecular structure. The surface also offers the advanced durability properties of Dekton, such as resistance to scratches, cold, heat, and
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UV rays, very low water absorption and easy cleaning. Dekton Grip+ can be applied to 16 Dekton colours across the Industrial, Tech, Wild and Natural collections.
Natural stone pavilion Attendees at StonExpo/Marmomac at The International Surface Event (TISE) in January 2020 will notice more natural stone on display than ever before. A new Natural Stone Pavilion will be prominently displayed in the middle of the show floor. The pavilion is strategically positioned near the Natural Stone Institute booth and adjacent to the Marmomac International Pavilion, which will also include several natural stone suppliers. “As the producer for TISE, Informa is excited to support this drive for natural stone at StonExpo,” said outgoing event director Amie (Gilmore) Gonzalez. “While the show has always presented stones of all arrays from more than seven countries, this unique drive to support the Natural Stone Institute’s ‘Use Natural Stone’ campaign and
support the natural stone industry is a great venture. We are excited to see such strong attention and interest in the new Natural Stone Pavilion for 2020”. Dana Hicks will become the new show director for next year’s event. He has a strong background in the events space with nearly 20+ years dedicated to the trade, previously serving for 10 years in hospitality and events with Marriott International, followed by 17 years in trade shows ending as the vicepresident of events for Informa Markets. His most recent venture for the past two years was in the world of surface materials, working as a design consultant. Save the date for TISE 2020 scheduled for January 28-30, 2020 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada (USA).
A new Natural Stone Pavilion will be part of TISE 2020
Dana Hicks is the new show director for TISE
IF ONLY THEY KNEW... Meet Ed and Sarah. They love their home and recently retiled their balcony using natural stone. The job was perfect and they were thrilled. But 1 month later, they started to get leaching as well as picture framing.
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NEW PRODUCT OUT NOW!
A slim solution Dekton Slim by Cosentino is an ultra-fine surface for sleek, minimalistic design. At just 4mm thick and weighing 10kg/m2, it is suitable for projects that require high performance and lightweight materials. The reduced thickness makes transporting, cutting and installing easier than ever before, while offering similar endurance to its thicker counterparts including resistance to the elements, scratches, stains, UV rays, fire and heat. The ultradurable performance makes it an ideal solution for indoor and outdoor applications including furniture, joinery, doors, cladding and flooring. It is available in nine colours varying from marble to concrete inspired surfaces.
Selecting the right sealer Spirit Sealers & Cleansers believe the use of natural stone in slabs, pavers, tiles and mosaics is becoming increasingly popular as the first choice for architects, specifiers and interior designers who appreciate the durability and beauty that it offers. While there are many different types of stones, the range of sealers is not so varied. On penetrating sealer – When
sealing stone, some believe there is no need to have different sealers for different stones, maintaining a “one sealer� fits all mentality. The purpose of using a penetrating sealer is to allow the substrate to attain stain resistance and remain looking new, with the correct maintenance procedures. Some believe that solvent-based sealers are the best performing, while
Spirit Sealers & Cleaners cater for different densities in natural stone with a range of sealers
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others think that water-based is the best option. It is important to note that no sealer, either water-based or solvent-based is completely stain resistant. Sealers are designed to provide a window of opportunity to clean up any spills on a porous substrate, which if left unsealed would be stained. Spirit Sealers & Cleaners cater for different densities in natural stone with different sealers. When sealing porous stone like sandstone, Spirit Premium Seal is the ideal choice for the job. With its fast-drying characteristics, it coats the inside of the stone and dries before it can settle to the bottom, providing a superior level of stain resistance. For projects requiring green star ratings, the low VOC Water-Based Premium Seal is the next best choice. When sealing dense stone like granite or honed/polished stones common in commercial projects, Spirit NPS (Natural-look Penetrating Sealer) is an optimal choice. Slower dying times of the NPS allow it time to penetrate more dense substrates.
Right: Flowcrete Australia has offices in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne and is part of Flowcrete Asia Pacific.
Sealers suited for pools PRESTIGE by Solution Sealers is an Australian made and designed product, specifically for the use around pools, water features and high moisture areas. It is an invisible solventbased treatment for masonry surfaces which preserves against the damaging effects of salt, moisture, staining and efflorescence. According to Solution Sealers, the design of PRESTIGE is based on years of field testing to provide rapid vapour diffusion, unlike other stone consolidators that can increase salt degradation in certain environments. It allows the stone to breathe, whilst still retaining water repellency and stain resistance.
Historic project gets modern floors The Spanish City in North Tyneside, England utilised flooring solutions from Flowcrete in its 2018 restoration project that saw its Edwardian features brought back to life. Kevin Potter, Flowcrete UK’s managing director, said: “The careful renovation of the Grade II listed building’s iconic dome, reconditioned into a restaurant, was paramount to the success of the project.” Over 500 m2 of the semi-dry cementitious Isocrete K screed and Isocrete K Screed HDP was installed alongside underfloor heating, in order to provide a heavy-duty base for the resin flooring. To keep both staff and diners safe even with the risk of dropped foodstuff or beverages, slip resistance was incredibly important within this space. To fulfil this, 200sqm of Flowcrete’s Flowseal PU Matte (Ultra) with anti-slip aggregates was utilised to coat the Mondéco system.
ASAA
Dedicated to the promotion of Australian stone at home and overseas. ASAA seeks to develop standards of excellence in performance and product supply, and to facilitate greater co-operation between the various sectors and competing entities of our industry. TM
MEMBERS OF THE AUSTRALIAN STONE ADVISORY ASSOCIATION INCLUDE: Australian Processors & Suppliers of Stone Quarriers of Australian Stone Stone Fixers, Landscapers, Geologists, Building Contractors, Sculptors, Educators Manufacturers of Adhesives, Grouts, Sealants & Waterproof Membranes Wholesalers/Importers, Resellers of Stone Suppliers of Machinery/Equipment Government Agencies, Professional Service Providers, Associations
To find out more about the benefits and why you should become a member of the Australian Stone Advisory Association email info@asaa.com.au or call 0421 388 127.
ASAA MEMBERS
www.asaa.com.au
seminars | standards of excellence | architectural awards
CONTENTS OF THE ASAA MANUAL
Visit www.asaa.com.au to download a FREE version of ASAA’s new guide to ‘Sealing and maintaining natural stone’.
Sealer Selection Guide available for FREE DOWNLOAD from www.asaa.com.au
Geology of Stone Standards & Specifications Design Manual Stone Selection ASAA members enjoy a 50 per cent I Stone Testing saving when they purchase the ASAA Natural Stone Design Manual. Granite To join or order a manual call Limestone 03 9888 3587 or email Marble & Onyx info@asaa.com.au Sandstone Travertine Over 450 copies sold to specifiers Slate Basalt The manual exceeds 390 pages. Each section Installation has been carefully peer reviewed. Horizontal Surfaces Vertical Surfaces AVAILABLE AS A DIGITAL DOWNLOAD Wet Areas To place an order call 03 9888 3587 Natural Stone Tiles during business hours or send an – fixing methods email to info@asaa.com.au. Residential Stone Countertops Capping & Sills Cost: Stone Furniture ASAA Members $132 Architects $132 (includes GST) Stone Faced Veneer/Pre-cast Non-Members $264 Concrete Allow 24 hours confirmation before download. Cleaning & Maintenance Digital version is licensed to the purchaser. Restoration/Refinishing We accept Mastercard & VISA Slip Resistance of Stone Active Australian Quarries ALTERNATIVELY ORDER THE CD VERSION Allow $22 for registered mail and handling Images of Natural Stones of Australia Glossary of Stone Industry Terms Modelled on the Marble Institute of America Dimension Stone Design Manual, the ASAA Natural Stone Appendix (Production Table, Design Manual comprehensively covers geology, stone selection, installation, care, maintenance and MOHS Scale, Applicable ASTM restoration. Contains references to applicable standards and test methods, an extensive glossary, list of Standards & Tests) quarries, prime suppliers of stone and related allied products. ACROBAT READER REQUIRED
VERSION
© This copyrighted work is jointly owned by the Marble Institute of America Inc. and the Australian Stone Advisory Association Ltd and may not be reproduced, transmitted and otherwise disseminated without the express written consent of the Marble Institute of America Inc. and the Australian Stone Advisory Association Ltd.
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PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Supreme Court Procurator General Office
Resolving a legal paradox, using stone The fifth edition of the Archimarathon Awards held in the Palazzo Mezzanotte, Milan, Italy, celebrated 55 outstanding architectural and interior design projects
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special Stone Award, organised in collaboration with Marmomac, was presented to Kaan Architecten for its restrained and elegant Netherlands Supreme Court project. The Supreme Court of the Netherlands sits on Korte Voorhout in an historic neighbourhood of The Hague that is home to many embassies, international organizations, and governmental buildings. The building illustrates the essential paradox of this legal organisation: being both in the heart of society and, at the same time, a secluded area. The design comprises a glass volume on a solid pedestal: simultaneously public, inviting, and transparent; while also private, independent and detached. Rotterdam and Sao Paulo-based Kaan Architects, headed by Kees Kaan, Vincent Panhuysen, and Dikkie Scipio, set out to encapsulate the court’s rich judicial history and translating it into a clean, vibrant, and highly functional space. The architectural firm has an international team of architects, landscape architects, urban planners, engineers, and graphic designers. It is currently working on the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium; The New Amsterdam Courthouse and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Terminal, among other projects.
The project plan Planning the 18,000 sq. metre building, which will house 350 staff, was complex. The result is a volume divided into three sections: one for the general public, one for the council, and a third for the procurator general staff. Each of these three entities required a clearly defined and separate navigational route.
A bird’s eye view of the Supreme Court
The public entrance, adorned with six bronze statues of legal scholars, leads into the light and spacious grand foyer. This space, which guides visitors to the two courtrooms, features Hoge Raad, a large painting by Helen Verhoeven inspired by the country’s legal history. The transparency of the new Supreme Court building signifies both accessibility to the public, as well as the soundness and clarity of judgment. The floors and walls feature grey limestone with a tactile velvet texture. The large and small courtrooms, which hold 400 and 80 visitors respectively, are distinguished by brown-veined translucent alabaster walls. As well as delivering daylight to the heart of the building, the light wells and open atriums serve another important purpose as the core of the distinct domains of the Council and Procurator General. These two departments are identified by the use of different materials: vertically-striped Marmara Equator marble in the Council, and organic Skyline marble in the Procurator General offices. The vertical light wells also work with the transparent frontal façade to reduce the use of artificial light throughout the year.
A bronze statue of Dutch legal scholar Joan Melchior Kemper that forms part of the main entrance. A single pane of glass eases the transition from the street to the interior.
Although the upper façades are climate controlled, the windows can be opened if desired. This is one aspect of designing a healthy working environment; reflected in the specification of natural materials, generous day lighting, and manually adjustable sun shading and privacy. Individually regulated sun blinds and light filters form one element of a layered façade, flat and yet canted, that unified the space with subtle elegance. The building displays meticulous construction detailing, with design choices focusing on material longevity. The resulting interiors
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The design, with the subtle vibrancy and openness of its facades, broaches a dialogue with the street and its line of trees that act as the city’s main promenade, according to Kaan Architects
The exterior of the Supreme Court
The interior corridor of the Supreme Court
are restrained yet luxurious. The building’s main volume sits on a green tinted glazed base, that echoes the surrounding row of trees, locally dubbed the “green cathedral”. This linear glass form was achieved by use of a cantilevered internal structure that supports the weight of the floors above, which house offices, a library, study areas, a restaurant, and meeting rooms. The detail captures the essence of Kaan Architecten’s design. It has a subtle vibrancy, with the semitransparent façades encouraging a dialogue with the street and its green landscaping. This feeling of openness is carried through in the interior specification, notably the consistent use of light grey limestone. Ample daylight, clear sightlines, and an open perspective, aim to inspire social interaction, encourage the exchange of ideas, and allow for informal gatherings. On ground floor level, the structure was separated from the façade as much as possible; whereas, on the upper floors, the structure was integrated purposefully in the façade. This optimises the functionality of the rooms, as the need for columns was kept to a minimum. Structural and mechanical consultant Arup Nederland worked closely with Kaan Architects to integrate the building services and structural design, enabling a transparent and open plan. There is a façade that both offers a vista to the outside world and also enables passers-by to look inside. In the integral design, the voids offer a spatial experience as well as a solution in the building services design, obviating the need an exhaust system.
Stone display
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the fields of civil, criminal and tax law in the Netherlands
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The Supreme Court provides a contemporary showcase for the aesthetic and technical properties of natural stone. All the marble, as well as the floor and wall tiles, were supplied by Kolen Natuursteen. Kolen has developed a growing reputation as a supplier of natural
stone to major projects across Europe and the rest of the world since 1997; developing its natural stone capabilities through strategic takeovers. Kolen offers a comprehensive service that spans well beyond stone supply into areas such the supply and fit of anchors, technical drawings, transportation and timed delivery to site. The company’s ethos is to buy materials direct from the quarry. Sourcing project-specific materials, as well as producing bespoke construction- and designdetails, are key elements of Kolen’s service. The consistent colouration and even finish of the restful grey limestone supplied by Bateig is a key feature of the Supreme Court’s design. Bateig stone is a biocalcarenite, quarried in Novelda, near Alicante, Spain, noted for its homogeneous structural properties, appearance and colour. It can be supplied in a variety of finishes, including stripped, sandblasted, aged, quarry-faced, pitted, striped, or antique. Bateig markets five varieties, in beige or bluish grey, both in uniform colouring or streaked. The company has even developed a treatment of impregnation and curing under ultraviolet light that gives the stone greater resistance to chemical agents and stains. The success of this building lies in the manner in which the architects resolved the potential paradox between form and function. It is, simultaneously, statuesque and functional, hard-edged and welcoming, organic and refined … a physical embodiment of society’s need to balance openness and security. It is totally sympathetic to the architecture of The Hague’s historic city centre, while expressing the principles of democracy through a clear and rational structure..
The floors and walls are of a light grey limestone, marbled and velvety at the same time
The Supreme Court of the Netherlands is located in the historic city centre of The Hague along the Korte Voorhout and next to Malieveld Park.
The façade of the Supreme Court in detail
Story from Joe Simpson, international correspondent for Discovering Stone. Photo credit: Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
The grand foyer of the Supreme Court
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Make connections at Surfaces China Proudly produced and printed in Australia ELITE PUBLISHING CO PTY LTD ABN: 27 006 876 419 PO BOX 800, Templestowe, Victoria, Australia 3106 Ph: + 61 3 9890 0815 Fax: + 61 3 9890 0087 Email: info@elitepublishing.com.au Website: www.discoveringstonemagazine.com.au www.elitepublishing.com.au PUBLISHER Vicky Cammiade vicky.cammiade@elitepublishing.com.au
International, Shanghai Stone Trade Association and the China Chamber of Commerce of Metals Minerals & Chemicals Importers & Exporters to present seminars.
The Surface + Design Event China (Surfaces China 2019) will be held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) between December 11-13, 2019. Over 150 key players from all over the world will gather for the trade fair to see the latest trends and developments in the stone, tile, flooring and wall covering industries. The event will provide a platform for professionals to network, learn, share and conduct business. Here’s what visitors can expect at Surfaces China:
• Product and service Innovations – Spot a new trend as companies showcase their latest offerings and discover what’s popular. • Educational program – Attend conferences and workshops to expand knowledge. Surfaces China will collaborate with the American Institute of Architects
• Private buyer meetings – The Buyer Program will facilitate business meetings and help attendees to achieve business objectives. It matches visitors with exhibiting manufacturers which can make sourcing more efficient, maximising time during the show.
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GRAPHIC DESIGN Plum Publishing Pty Ltd email: dave@plumpublishing.com.au PRODUCTION For artwork and production enquiries please email: dave@plumpublishing.com.au
With many show initiatives planned, Surfaces China 2019 can provide an ideal learning and networking platform for professionals working in the stone, tile, flooring and wall covering industries.
PRE-PRESS Prominent Digital PRINTED BY Prominent Press Pty Ltd ELITE PUBLISHING CO PTY LTD PUBLISHERS OF: Flooring Magazine, Discovering Stone Magazine, Finishes & Surfaces Magazine, Tile Today Magazine and Supplier Magazine.
Australian Stone Advisory Association 44-45 Biesse Group
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Breton CDK Stone
Back Cover Inside Front Cover, 3, 13
Cleanspace 11 CMP Stonemason Supplies
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Efflock 41 Environex 29 Euro Natural Stone
Front Cover, 51
Farnese 35 Headland Machinery
Endorsed by the Australian Stone Advisory Association www.asaa.com.au
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Mapei 17 Sika 5 Solution Sealers
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Spirit Sealers
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Stone Initiatives
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Sure Seal Sealants
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Tillett Natural Stone
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Turkish Stones
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INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT Joe Simpson joe.simpson@elitepublishing.com.au
CIRCULATION MANAGER Georgia Gilmour georgia.gilmour@elitepublishing.com.au
advertiser index Australian Engineered Stone Advisory Group
TECHNOLOGY EDITOR Philip Ashley philipneilashley@yahoo.com.au
ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Sandie Velkovska sandie@elitepublishing.com.au
For more information, please go the Surfaces China website, put together by Informa Markets.
Applied Products (Actichem)
EDITOR Betty Tanddo betty.tanddo@elitepublishing.com.au
ELITE PUBLISHING CO PTY LTD. All rights reserved. No part of this publication maybe reproduced, transmitted or copied in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without the express prior written consent of Elite Publishing Co Pty Ltd. Viewpoints, opinions, claims, etc expressed in articles appearing in this publication are those of the authors. The Publishers accept no responsibility for the information supplied or for claims made by companies or their representatives regarding product performance, etc or for any errors, omissions, misplacement, alterations, or any subsequent changes, or for any consequences of reliance on this information or this publication. Please note: Shade variation is an inherent feature of reproduction. The Publisher is not liable for any discrepancy between images published in Discovering Stone and actual products.
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