The design team for this project gave Valders Stone & Marble, Inc. the following design objective: “Situated on the eastern shore of Long Island, the design of this beach house is conceived as emerging from the landscape. The house is composed of two elements: the main house and a pavilion situated on a base that extends into the landscape. From the driveway entrance on the northern side, the house appears as a largely solid, stone-clad volume with rectangular perforations for the windows. In contrast, the more private southern façade is composed almost entirely of glass to maximize ocean views and sun exposure. What initially presents itself as a classic modern box unfolds to become an unexpectedly open sculptural figure.” The design firm chose a warm beige/buff color palette for their design. The material needed to hold a specific color range, and the stone needed to be suitable for a multitude of applications.Additionally, the material needed to perform well when installed horizontally and vertically in close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. The unique performance characteristics and color of Wisconsin Dolomite made it the obvious choice for the project. Valders Dolomitic limestone was used in several facets of this stunning modern design. Applications of the material included, but were not limited to: blind anchored exterior façade panels, light weight honeycomb panels for soffit/overhang applications, interior and exterior paving, pedestal paving, pool coping, weir stones, stair treads, site walls, landscape/hardscape applications, and stone in its raw/natural form. Eleven months lapsed between the setting of the first stone and the installation of the fire pit. Given the complexity of the project and the time frame for completion, the entire team of architects, engineers and builders combined their efforts to make this truly a dream come true.

A new home for their growing family prompted owners to construct a seven bedroom – eleven bath, eclectic Italian renaissance-style home, featuring natural stone prominently throughout. Beginning in the entrance foyer, a diagonal checkerboard pattern of Italian white Carrara and grey Bardiglio marbles trimmed with Bardiglio borders spreads out across the majority of the first floor traveling through corridors and filling the kitchen, dining room, and great room. This paving was installed on traditional drypack mortar beds with tight 1/16" joints. This honed marble paving then transitions into flamed finish Blue Nobile limestone on the exterior. Bardiglio and Carrara marbles used on the interior floor are also on all the counter tops in the kitchen area including a feature island, and the dining room table. Three fireplace surrounds also received natural stone: two with Italian Arabescato Cervaiole marble, and one with Italian Portoro marble. All eleven bathrooms in the home are clad in marble, with each uniquely different. Marbles used in these rooms were Piana Carrara, Fior Di Pesco Capria, Grigio Carnico, Arabescato Cervaioli, Nero Marquina, Aliveri Grey, Thassos White, and St. Laurent Noir. Of these eleven bathrooms, one is the showpiece of the residence, the Master Bath. With its walls clad in Arabescato Cervaioli book matched at key points, and its floor a combination of Arabescato Cervaioli, Aliveri Grey, and Nero Marquina cut into geometric patterns, it surrounds one completely in natural stone. Even the sink interiors are clad in marble. This home was not originally intended to have as much natural stone in it, but as many do after being exposed to natural stone’s beauty, the owners fell in love with it and expanded its presence. Villa Florence is a great example of what can be accomplished with a homeowner who found the passion for natural stone.

The intrigue of the home’s powerful facade lies in the locally sourced puddingstone archway inviting you in. The custom designed bronze door with leaded sidelights opens into the foyer from underneath the covered walkway to the right, in essence hidden from the street. The wide-open central expanse allows one a sneak preview of the stone patio and back yard beyond, highlighting the 120-foot-tall Beech tree that has been thriving on the site for over two hundred years. The challenge of designing this 6,300 square foot home and pool house was the narrow but deep one-acre lot. John Meyer’s master planning of a strong front elevation hides the “sideways configuration” of the floorplan. To the left of the archway is a 3-car garage below an entertainment room, with a master bedroom suite on the top floor bridging the main house behind the central eyebrow over the archway. The sense of having been on the site for decades was the intent of the design abundant in the use of stone and masonry. The carved stonework shapes the main and secondary archways as full ovals. Slate detailing is set between the sunburst oval window, balancing interest with the keystones framing the five windows across the bridge. Rough cut boulders give weight to the structure’s base, while straight runs of stone border the shingles under the roof’s eaves and shaped stones guide corner edges downward along the retaining walls. The granite steps and bluestone patio lead one back to the lighted base of the Beech tree, terrace and on-axis pool area beyond. The roof is double thick slate, and the circular drive is crushed stone with granite edging. Like the longevity of the Beech tree, this unique design will stand proudly in its neighborhood for years to come.

Shambhalla Institute founders, Kim Colwell & Melinda Joy Miller Feng Shui Client. Each detail was suggested to trigger a sense of creativity, balance, harmony, connectivity, and enliven the room with a feel of being social at any moment.

This private residence involved construction of a modern architectural style estate property in Highland Park, Texas. Dee Brown Inc’s role came into play late in the project, when corrections were needed to some specialty stonework. The home’s center is formed around the main entry. The floorplan is largely open, but parallel core wall areas serve to define the foyer, kitchen, dining, and living areas. As key areas, the architect put special focus on materials selection for the core walls. It was decided that Indiana limestone would be the finish, and that the cladding panels would all have unique continuous horizontal grooves. Material was received and installed by the original subcontractor. Upon seeing the completed work, it was evident to the architect and owner that grooves in the fabricated material were not consistent, and that the installation process had left numerous chips to the panels. It was at this point that the partially completed work was removed, and the second fabricator/installer was contacted. Dee Brown Inc ordered the Indiana limestones slabs. There, special care was taken to hold tight tolerances to the horizontal grooves as well as to the typical cut-to-size aspects. Erection of these mechanically set panels was done very carefully. The result was a clean finished product with none of the tolerance and chipping issues of the original installation. Dee Brown, Inc also created and installed special stone finishes at the adjacent half-bath. Semi-precious white onyx was transformed into a lavatory top/bowl assembly, water-closet wall cladding, and even tissue and towel holders.

A new home for their growing family prompted owners to construct a seven bedroom – eleven bath, eclectic Italian renaissance-style home, featuring natural stone prominently throughout. Beginning in the entrance foyer, a diagonal checkerboard pattern of Italian white Carrara and grey Bardiglio marbles trimmed with Bardiglio borders spreads out across the majority of the first floor traveling through corridors and filling the kitchen, dining room, and great room. This paving was installed on traditional drypack mortar beds with tight 1/16" joints. This honed marble paving then transitions into flamed finish Blue Nobile limestone on the exterior. Bardiglio and Carrara marbles used on the interior floor are also on all the counter tops in the kitchen area including a feature island, and the dining room table. Three fireplace surrounds also received natural stone: two with Italian Arabescato Cervaiole marble, and one with Italian Portoro marble. All eleven bathrooms in the home are clad in marble, with each uniquely different. Marbles used in these rooms were Piana Carrara, Fior Di Pesco Capria, Grigio Carnico, Arabescato Cervaioli, Nero Marquina, Aliveri Grey, Thassos White, and St. Laurent Noir. Of these eleven bathrooms, one is the showpiece of the residence, the Master Bath. With its walls clad in Arabescato Cervaioli book matched at key points, and its floor a combination of Arabescato Cervaioli, Aliveri Grey, and Nero Marquina cut into geometric patterns, it surrounds one completely in natural stone. Even the sink interiors are clad in marble. This home was not originally intended to have as much natural stone in it, but as many do after being exposed to natural stone’s beauty, the owners fell in love with it and expanded its presence. Villa Florence is a great example of what can be accomplished with a homeowner who found the passion for natural stone.

Gallegos was contacted by a client about a project where stone was not just to be an accent material, but the main visual and perceived structural element to create a timeless architectural composition. To further the endeavor: all veneers and dimension stone must be locally sourced and sustainably quarried. The design called for a moss rock veneer with cut stone trim. Sourcing the sandstone moss rock was simple because there were several local quarries to use. The problem was with the trim pieces. Gallegos selected Colorado Buff sandstone for the trim since the buff body was a good contrast to the moss rock and it is a stone that can be cut to size. One main concern with any sedimentary stone is hitting what is known as a “dry” layer in the ledge. This is an area in the stone between sedimentary layers that has not solidified or cemented. It is still granular and can lead to future stone failure as water penetrates these layers and creates freeze/thaw issues. To avoid this, they used an epoxy injected into the dry layers to help solidify the material and prevent any future failures. The client also wanted sustainable materials for their countertops and bathrooms. Many of the interior stones were either reclaimed materials or were sourced from Colorado quarries – Calacatta Lincoln was used extensively. Gallegos sourced tiles from reclamation projects in Europe and Asia for use in the master bath and front entry areas. For many of the countertops, the owner’s interior designer spent hours looking through remnants and applied several throughout the residence. Willow Court is a spectacular and dramatic nod to stone masonry, something the owner, architect, and builder can be proud of and, for the most part, was built with the environment in mind.

This private residence involved construction of a modern architectural style estate property in Highland Park, Texas. Dee Brown Inc’s role came into play late in the project, when corrections were needed to some specialty stonework. The home’s center is formed around the main entry. The floorplan is largely open, but parallel core wall areas serve to define the foyer, kitchen, dining, and living areas. As key areas, the architect put special focus on materials selection for the core walls. It was decided that Indiana limestone would be the finish, and that the cladding panels would all have unique continuous horizontal grooves. Material was received and installed by the original subcontractor. Upon seeing the completed work, it was evident to the architect and owner that grooves in the fabricated material were not consistent, and that the installation process had left numerous chips to the panels. It was at this point that the partially completed work was removed, and the second fabricator/installer was contacted. Dee Brown Inc ordered the Indiana limestones slabs. There, special care was taken to hold tight tolerances to the horizontal grooves as well as to the typical cut-to-size aspects. Erection of these mechanically set panels was done very carefully. The result was a clean finished product with none of the tolerance and chipping issues of the original installation. Dee Brown, Inc also created and installed special stone finishes at the adjacent half-bath. Semi-precious white onyx was transformed into a lavatory top/bowl assembly, water-closet wall cladding, and even tissue and towel holders.

A large family of custom-built wood windows and doors are oversized to flood the house with light and create a sense of transparency between the house and the surrounding gardens. This connection to the landscape is strengthened through a number of cut stone and timber porches, in particular, a dramatic cut stone loggia overlooking the backyard. Each of these porches is paved with intricate patterns of cut sandstone and sliced up discarded roofing slates. The cut stone balustrade sits atop the solid load bearing cut stone columns and entablature.

This private residence involved construction of a modern architectural style estate property in Highland Park, Texas. Dee Brown Inc’s role came into play late in the project, when corrections were needed to some specialty stonework. The home’s center is formed around the main entry. The floorplan is largely open, but parallel core wall areas serve to define the foyer, kitchen, dining, and living areas. As key areas, the architect put special focus on materials selection for the core walls. It was decided that Indiana limestone would be the finish, and that the cladding panels would all have unique continuous horizontal grooves. Material was received and installed by the original subcontractor. Upon seeing the completed work, it was evident to the architect and owner that grooves in the fabricated material were not consistent, and that the installation process had left numerous chips to the panels. It was at this point that the partially completed work was removed, and the second fabricator/installer was contacted. Dee Brown Inc ordered the Indiana limestones slabs. There, special care was taken to hold tight tolerances to the horizontal grooves as well as to the typical cut-to-size aspects. Erection of these mechanically set panels was done very carefully. The result was a clean finished product with none of the tolerance and chipping issues of the original installation. Dee Brown, Inc also created and installed special stone finishes at the adjacent half-bath. Semi-precious white onyx was transformed into a lavatory top/bowl assembly, water-closet wall cladding, and even tissue and towel holders.

Gallegos was contacted by a client about a project where stone was not just to be an accent material, but the main visual and perceived structural element to create a timeless architectural composition. To further the endeavor: all veneers and dimension stone must be locally sourced and sustainably quarried. The design called for a moss rock veneer with cut stone trim. Sourcing the sandstone moss rock was simple because there were several local quarries to use. The problem was with the trim pieces. Gallegos selected Colorado Buff sandstone for the trim since the buff body was a good contrast to the moss rock and it is a stone that can be cut to size. One main concern with any sedimentary stone is hitting what is known as a “dry” layer in the ledge. This is an area in the stone between sedimentary layers that has not solidified or cemented. It is still granular and can lead to future stone failure as water penetrates these layers and creates freeze/thaw issues. To avoid this, they used an epoxy injected into the dry layers to help solidify the material and prevent any future failures. The client also wanted sustainable materials for their countertops and bathrooms. Many of the interior stones were either reclaimed materials or were sourced from Colorado quarries – Calacatta Lincoln was used extensively. Gallegos sourced tiles from reclamation projects in Europe and Asia for use in the master bath and front entry areas. For many of the countertops, the owner’s interior designer spent hours looking through remnants and applied several throughout the residence. Willow Court is a spectacular and dramatic nod to stone masonry, something the owner, architect, and builder can be proud of and, for the most part, was built with the environment in mind.

The bathroom floors included a stone medallion consisting of three marbles Bianco Dolomitti, Crema Marfil, and Amarillo Negras. The tub and skirt were composed of Crema Marfil while Bianco Dolomiti was used for the soap niches on the walls. Stone Fabricated and Installed by Natural Stone Institute member, SMG Stone Company, Inc.

The intrigue of the home’s powerful facade lies in the locally sourced puddingstone archway inviting you in. The custom designed bronze door with leaded sidelights opens into the foyer from underneath the covered walkway to the right, in essence hidden from the street. The wide-open central expanse allows one a sneak preview of the stone patio and back yard beyond, highlighting the 120-foot-tall Beech tree that has been thriving on the site for over two hundred years. The challenge of designing this 6,300 square foot home and pool house was the narrow but deep one-acre lot. John Meyer’s master planning of a strong front elevation hides the “sideways configuration” of the floorplan. To the left of the archway is a 3-car garage below an entertainment room, with a master bedroom suite on the top floor bridging the main house behind the central eyebrow over the archway. The sense of having been on the site for decades was the intent of the design abundant in the use of stone and masonry. The carved stonework shapes the main and secondary archways as full ovals. Slate detailing is set between the sunburst oval window, balancing interest with the keystones framing the five windows across the bridge. Rough cut boulders give weight to the structure’s base, while straight runs of stone border the shingles under the roof’s eaves and shaped stones guide corner edges downward along the retaining walls. The granite steps and bluestone patio lead one back to the lighted base of the Beech tree, terrace and on-axis pool area beyond. The roof is double thick slate, and the circular drive is crushed stone with granite edging. Like the longevity of the Beech tree, this unique design will stand proudly in its neighborhood for years to come.

Tucker Design Awards celebrate the innovation and vision that designers bring to their projects through the specification and use of natural stone materials. For members of the Natural Stone Institute, acknowledgement as a contributor to a Tucker Design Awards winning project is a genuine tribute to their traditional values, physicality of work and dedication to precise specifications required in the realization of such accomplished architectural design. Architect Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Seattle,WA Stone Installers Gallegos Corporation, Basalt, CO Stone Supplier Quarra Stone Company, Madison, WI Stone Quarry Bertozzi Felice di Rovai G & C Srl, Pietrasanta (LU), Italy Truffer AG, Vals, Switzerland The Independence Pass Residence is sited at the edge of a nature preserve in Aspen, Colorado with views of an alpine meadow, forests of evergreen and aspen trees, the Roaring Fork River and the Rocky Mountains. The owners requested something very different from large, ostentatious heavy-timber homes that appear throughout the Aspen slopes: a home that would reach out to nature, not to gird against it; one that would feel light and modern, yet not on display. Approached from the north, a driveway leads from the main road to a private parking court, sheltered from wind and weather. The house stretches between two existing hills on the site; forming a threshold to the views of the meandering river and nature preserve beyond. The lower level is expressed as a series of stone-clad walls that extend the building into the landscape. The upper level is a sleek box with a metal roof that floats on slender columns. Pre-weathered wood siding is used to clad the upper level of the buildings and will continue to weather to a silver grey. All exterior cladding materials are intended to weather naturally with little maintenance to a palette of soft grays. A wall of black-stained cedar boards marks the main entry and extends through the house into a double-height space with a floating stair. Cantilevered wood stair treads lead to the upper level and main living pavilion where full-height walls of glass reveal panoramic views of the nature preserve and New York peak. The living room, dining room and kitchen occupy the center of the linear floor plan, with a master bedroom suite to the west and a family room and outdoor courtyard to the east. A fireplace clad in Vals quartzite forms the western edge of the living room with a large skylight above. A reading alcove with a bench of wood slats is lined with Douglas fir panels and stainless steel shelves for display of the owner’s photography collection. Sliding panels of glass open to an outdoor deck, further blurring the boundary between interior and exterior. A second stair connecting all levels of the house is crafted of a one-inch thick steel plate that is both structure and guardrail, slicing through the vertical space. Ground level spaces include three bedrooms with individual baths, a guest suite, mudroom and exercise room.

No greater compliment of a material is possible than when stone is selected for a historic property renovation within a home rich in tradition and with a celebrated past. This new feature stair addition to a private residence in Toronto, Canada, has an equally compelling story to tell. Originally envisioned as a wall-supported, cantilevered stone stair, the owner boldly accepted a unique solution for their showpiece element. The 19-tread stair would be designed with 550 lb. solid stone treads, and fully liberated from traditional supports and the adjacent rubble wall. To say, “it would float” is not an exaggeration. The stair would be designed as a monolithic beam spanning 16.5 feet, 10 feet high and 41 inches wide. Aesthetically bold, with a reduced tone from pure black, the basalt stone was the perfect contrast for the white modern interior of the home. The 3-1/2" tension cables played the most important role by resisting the large bending moment generated by the stone load and stair geometry. Fabrication required precise coordination and care to ensure perfect alignment of the interlocking key, and the corresponding cable holes. The fabrication challenge was achieving the highest level of accuracy in notching, coring, and replicating each tread identically. Expert precision and skill were key to nesting each tread in sequence and simultaneously with the strands. Meticulous alignment and exacting tolerance assured the true performance and aesthetics were delivered. Hydraulic post-tensioning pulled each cable to 120 kiloNewtons or 27,000 lbs, infusing strength and structural integrity. Removing the temporary support and testing was the last critical step—it was the first time the stone stair would be self-supporting. The “floating” stair is an ultimate achievement and example of innovation, material strength, fabrication quality, installation precision, and expert coordination. A perfect final chapter to a historical journey and modern ode to stone as structure.

The intrigue of the home’s powerful facade lies in the locally sourced puddingstone archway inviting you in. The custom designed bronze door with leaded sidelights opens into the foyer from underneath the covered walkway to the right, in essence hidden from the street. The wide-open central expanse allows one a sneak preview of the stone patio and back yard beyond, highlighting the 120-foot-tall Beech tree that has been thriving on the site for over two hundred years. The challenge of designing this 6,300 square foot home and pool house was the narrow but deep one-acre lot. John Meyer’s master planning of a strong front elevation hides the “sideways configuration” of the floorplan. To the left of the archway is a 3-car garage below an entertainment room, with a master bedroom suite on the top floor bridging the main house behind the central eyebrow over the archway. The sense of having been on the site for decades was the intent of the design abundant in the use of stone and masonry. The carved stonework shapes the main and secondary archways as full ovals. Slate detailing is set between the sunburst oval window, balancing interest with the keystones framing the five windows across the bridge. Rough cut boulders give weight to the structure’s base, while straight runs of stone border the shingles under the roof’s eaves and shaped stones guide corner edges downward along the retaining walls. The granite steps and bluestone patio lead one back to the lighted base of the Beech tree, terrace and on-axis pool area beyond. The roof is double thick slate, and the circular drive is crushed stone with granite edging. Like the longevity of the Beech tree, this unique design will stand proudly in its neighborhood for years to come.

Tucker Design Awards celebrate the innovation and vision that designers bring to their projects through the specification and use of natural stone materials. For members of the Natural Stone Institute, acknowledgement as a contributor to a Tucker Design Awards winning project is a genuine tribute to their traditional values, physicality of work and dedication to precise specifications required in the realization of such accomplished architectural design. Architect Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Seattle,WA Stone Installers Gallegos Corporation, Basalt, CO Stone Supplier Quarra Stone Company, Madison, WI Stone Quarry Bertozzi Felice di Rovai G & C Srl, Pietrasanta (LU), Italy Truffer AG, Vals, Switzerland The Independence Pass Residence is sited at the edge of a nature preserve in Aspen, Colorado with views of an alpine meadow, forests of evergreen and aspen trees, the Roaring Fork River and the Rocky Mountains. The owners requested something very different from large, ostentatious heavy-timber homes that appear throughout the Aspen slopes: a home that would reach out to nature, not to gird against it; one that would feel light and modern, yet not on display. Approached from the north, a driveway leads from the main road to a private parking court, sheltered from wind and weather. The house stretches between two existing hills on the site; forming a threshold to the views of the meandering river and nature preserve beyond. The lower level is expressed as a series of stone-clad walls that extend the building into the landscape. The upper level is a sleek box with a metal roof that floats on slender columns. Pre-weathered wood siding is used to clad the upper level of the buildings and will continue to weather to a silver grey. All exterior cladding materials are intended to weather naturally with little maintenance to a palette of soft grays. A wall of black-stained cedar boards marks the main entry and extends through the house into a double-height space with a floating stair. Cantilevered wood stair treads lead to the upper level and main living pavilion where full-height walls of glass reveal panoramic views of the nature preserve and New York peak. The living room, dining room and kitchen occupy the center of the linear floor plan, with a master bedroom suite to the west and a family room and outdoor courtyard to the east. A fireplace clad in Vals quartzite forms the western edge of the living room with a large skylight above. A reading alcove with a bench of wood slats is lined with Douglas fir panels and stainless steel shelves for display of the owner’s photography collection. Sliding panels of glass open to an outdoor deck, further blurring the boundary between interior and exterior. A second stair connecting all levels of the house is crafted of a one-inch thick steel plate that is both structure and guardrail, slicing through the vertical space. Ground level spaces include three bedrooms with individual baths, a guest suite, mudroom and exercise room.

A new home for their growing family prompted owners to construct a seven bedroom – eleven bath, eclectic Italian renaissance-style home, featuring natural stone prominently throughout. Beginning in the entrance foyer, a diagonal checkerboard pattern of Italian white Carrara and grey Bardiglio marbles trimmed with Bardiglio borders spreads out across the majority of the first floor traveling through corridors and filling the kitchen, dining room, and great room. This paving was installed on traditional drypack mortar beds with tight 1/16" joints. This honed marble paving then transitions into flamed finish Blue Nobile limestone on the exterior. Bardiglio and Carrara marbles used on the interior floor are also on all the counter tops in the kitchen area including a feature island, and the dining room table. Three fireplace surrounds also received natural stone: two with Italian Arabescato Cervaiole marble, and one with Italian Portoro marble. All eleven bathrooms in the home are clad in marble, with each uniquely different. Marbles used in these rooms were Piana Carrara, Fior Di Pesco Capria, Grigio Carnico, Arabescato Cervaioli, Nero Marquina, Aliveri Grey, Thassos White, and St. Laurent Noir. Of these eleven bathrooms, one is the showpiece of the residence, the Master Bath. With its walls clad in Arabescato Cervaioli book matched at key points, and its floor a combination of Arabescato Cervaioli, Aliveri Grey, and Nero Marquina cut into geometric patterns, it surrounds one completely in natural stone. Even the sink interiors are clad in marble. This home was not originally intended to have as much natural stone in it, but as many do after being exposed to natural stone’s beauty, the owners fell in love with it and expanded its presence. Villa Florence is a great example of what can be accomplished with a homeowner who found the passion for natural stone.

The owners of the home also commissioned a program of carved stone iconography to add further beauty and meaning to the project. These remarkable carvings include a starburst fountainhead, a pair of oval windows adorned with oak leaf garlands, an oak tree carved into the keystone above the front entrance, and carvings of a boar’s head, an owl, a sheaf of wheat, and a stag’s head for each of the major gables.