Over 20 architects participated in Architect Day at StoneExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2009, a full-day AIA-approved continuing education program on stone design, which was held on October 23rd.  The group included Las Vegas-based architects and others who traveled to StonExpo from throughout the U.S.

The group visited LVR’s processing facility in Jean, NV

The highlight of the day was the visit to the Las Vegas Rock (LVR) quarry and processing facility in nearby Jean and Goodsprings, NV. The visit was organized thanks to Jim Hogan of the Carrara Marble Company, who worked with LVR to supply stone to the City Center development in Las Vegas. When the group drove by City Center on the way to Jean, Jim was able to highlight some of the exterior use of the stone. The use of local stone helped City Center achieve LEED Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

LVR quarries and processes Meta-Quartzite sandstone. The visit to the processing facility allowed architects to see some of the mock-ups that were used for City Center. LVR’s operation is exceptional: the company has received Silver “Cradle-to-Cradle” Certification from MBDC (McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry) and uses 100% of the material extracted from its quarry.

The Rainbow Quarries in Goodsprings, NV

The group then traveled on to the Rainbow Quarries in nearby Goodsprings, where the stone used in City Center was quarried. They are part of a mining district that was established in the 1930s at the base of Mount Potosi, at thesouthernmost tip of the Spring Mountain range.

Stephanie Vierra presenting at the Architect Day education booth

Upon returning to the Las Vegas Convention Center, the architects moved to the StonExpo show floor for a series of lectures held in a dedicated booth. Sustainability and performance evaluation were the focus of these sessions. Stephanie Vierra explained how stone can be an appropriate material choice within current sustainability frameworks. MAPEI’s Mike Granatowski examined the impact of ANSI and ISO as perfomance-evaluation methods for long-term stone installations.


The walking tour stops at Budri’s booth

Vince Marazita then led the group on a walking tour of the Marmomacc Pavilion and the show’s Stone Pavilion. The tour allowed participants to quickly become acquainted with the various types of stone and other products supplied by exhibitors. Vince closed out the program by leading a presentation on natural stone from Italy’s Trento area, which included a porphyry-laying demonstration by Andrea Angheben of Trento’s Agency for the Development of Porphiry. 


Andrea Angheben’s porphyry-laying demonstration

The program provided 6 AIA LUs -- all HSW -- including an AIA Sustainable Design credit. Architect Day was organized in collaboration with Hanley Wood Exhibitions, Architect magazine, Trentino Sprint, MAPEI and the Italian Trade Commission. Espinoza Stone Inc. of Georgetown, TX was the Platinum Sponsor of Architect Day. 

Here's what some of the participants to the First Annual Architect Day had to say:

“Really unique experience, which I will do again. Above the standard of one-day educational seminars I have attended.” (Michael J. Livingston, AeCP Architecture, Inc., Las Vegas NV)

“The course content was highly relevant thanks to its ability to stay current and evolve with the times. I continue to share my learning experiences (from previous Marmomacc CES programs) and look forward to more hands-on demonstrations.” (Raoul Yanez, Yanez Architects, San Francisco, CA)

“There is more to stone work and there are more uses for stone. It was big day and worth all the time spent.” (Robert Cox, Cox & Associates, Pollock Pines, CA)

“The program was well-structured and well-run. Right now I am focusing on environmental quality and sustainability issues. These were covered quite well.” (Ronald Fergle, Solart Inc., Minneapolis, MN) 

Platinum Sponsor