Stone was a suitable choice for the new plaza’s surface, but designers were challenged with determining the best way to channel stormwater. The stonework had to maintain sufficient tolerance to achieve the required drainage characteristics. Exceptional fabrication with computer numerical control (CNC) technology achieved the precisely shaped stones meeting the specifications needed for drainage (See “CNC Technology Brings New Era of Stone Fabrication”).
CNC technology also allows producers to create shapes and designs in stone that were not possible even a few years ago. For example, curved stone walls can be more precisely cut, aligned, and joined together. Electronic files provide cutting details allowing even for the construction of sculpture and other art installations. Not only does the level of accuracy available when using CNC permit greater freedom of design, but also the ability to control the design concept from development through fabrication results in better project outcomes and quality control. The marriage of cutting-edge technology with the traditional material of stone allows for new paths of creativity, while the resulting designs maintain a time-honored, classic feel.
Cultural and natural environment
In St. Louis, Missouri, Citygarden provides an excellent example of urban revitalization as new generations develop an appreciation for downtown living and amenities. Designed to provide a vibrant and serene urban oasis, and funded by the Gateway Foundation, Citygarden sits at the heart of the Gateway Mall just a few blocks west of the famous Gateway Arch and Mississippi River. The redesign developed Citygarden from a two-square-block space that was underused for decades and often sat idle as an open lawn.
| CNC TECHNOLOGY BRINGS NEW ERA OF STONE FABRICATION |
Computer numerical control (CNC) technology has made its mark on stone design and fabrication, providing numerous benefits to those who take advantage of its capabilities. With computers controlling the machines, stone fabricators produce intricate, inspiring creations with exact precision once thought impossible or too costly to achieve. As a result, architects and designers are expanding their creative limits and experiencing many benefits including:
Despite CNC’s benefits, many design professionals hold misperceptions about the process. Chief among the misconceptions is CNC is only used for granite slabs. It is often difficult to imagine a computer-controlled machine handling a large block of stone and producing the result of Another misperception is the CNC process is not budget friendly. Although CNC technology is advanced, it is not cost-prohibitive. Historically, large profiled stone components and cubic free-form shapes were labor intensive to produce. Today’s designs, in most cases, begin as a digital project in one of the many computer-aided design (CAD) or digital design tool software packages. Using this ‘master model’ format, the fabricator realizes lower costs since much of the drafting work required for the old manual method is eliminated. Further, CNC achieves a very fine tolerance, reducing the need for multiple or follow-up processes. Fabrication and lead time are reduced, and custom designs are easier on the budget. |
The foundation and City of St. Louis wanted the garden to embody a timeless quality evoking the city’s history and spirit. The selection of natural stone for this project was instrumental in obtaining that quality. The foundation wanted to ensure the park would not be dated and would remain durable for decades to come. As such, the selection of granite, limestone, and bluestone provided the durability to withstand harsh environmental elements and heavy use, while also creating a dramatic and aesthetically pleasing visual effect. The foundation liked the use of limestone native to the area for sustainability purposes and its ability to help knit the garden to its regional geology. The granite color selections complement the glass pavilion café in the northeast quadrant of the garden. Totally, the project encompasses 3345 m2 (36,000 sf) of granite in paved areas.
impressive insights! This article beautifully highlights how natural stone transforms public spaces into timeless, iconic landmarks. Truly inspiring read!