Posted on Tue, May 03, 2011
Now is the time to take a cue from history’s greatest architectural minds – the Romans – by embracing porphyry, a volcanic rock, in an increasing variety of paving and building projects throughout North America...
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Posted on Tue, May 03, 2011
Porphyry, an igneous granite that forms when magma is exposed to air through fissures in the Earth's crust, is the latest darling of landscape designers.
Essentially a fast-cooled magma, porphyry is denser than most granite and absorbs little water or oil that might break it down. Ironically, its imperviousness also makes it ideal for permeable paving (laid over sand) because it lets a maximum amount of runoff trickle into the soil.
Miles Chaffee, owner of Milestone Imports, a Santa Fe, N.M., porphyry distributor, says the stone is found in quarries all over the world. Russia, China and even Argentina have it.
Known to ancient Egyptians who quarried it near the Red Sea to make columns and pillars, porphyry has long been valued for its great density and strength.
In Italy, the rock's purplish hue (that gives it its name) made it popular for the sarcophagi of Roman kings. Fragments of the strong stone could also be made into cobblestones and pavers, so the Romans used 3- and 4-inch-thick chunks to make roads, including sections of the famous Appian Way that went past porphyry quarries near Verona. Some roads, laid in distinctive arced patterns for uphill climbs, still survive, Chaffee says.
Chaffee represents Mondial Porfidi, an Italian stone purveyor who owns quarries near Guanajuato, Mexico, better known for its silver, gold and copper mines.
"The coppery metallic hue from that region is extremely popular," says Chaffee, who ships Mexican porphyry to clients in the United States and Canada where, because of its proven durability over centuries, it is used to pave walkways, patios and driveways.
By comparison, Chaffee says, porous limestone floors show wear within decades.
In the Bay Area, you can learn of its virtues by walking or biking on it: New landscaping at Stanford University designed by SWA Group incorporates porphyry.
At a glance
Expert opinion: Pavers fashioned from porphyry require less labor, and that keeps the cost down.
"You just score and hammer it to make it into rectangles and squares," Miles Chaffee says.
However, because it is a heavy stone, shipping it costs more. "The closer the quarry, the less expensive the stone will be," Chaffee says.
Like slate, the stone is often found in layers that vary from 1 to 8 inches thick. Most pavers for roads and driveways are about 2 to 4 inches thick. "Without meaning to, the Romans created a permeable paving system," Chaffee says. To keep their roads stable and dry, they standardized a 40-inch substrate of compacted gravel and sand below surfaces paved with porphyry.
Laid in fan or fish-scale patterns, the stone's intrinsic strength (it can support 20,000 pounds per square inch) was enhanced. It withstood chariots, heavy carts, horses and animal waste. "The Romans called it the metal of the road," Chaffee says.
Pros: While limestone absorbs acidic salts that harm it, porphyry, because of its density, repels contaminants. Unlike slate, small pieces of porphyry are structurally sound and can withstand heavy traffic on permeable patios and walkways. Unlike permeable gravel beds, porphyry surfaces require little maintenance.
Cons: Porphyry is not available in large slabs; 4 to 6 inch squares are typical, and the biggest pieces, mostly from Argentine quarries, are about 16-inches square.
Price: About $7-$8 per square foot.
Resources: www.milestoneimports.com.
E-mail ideas for Material World to Zahid Sardar at home@sfchronicle.com.
This article appeared on page L - 4 of the San Francisco Chronicle
Posted on Tue, May 03, 2011
As McMansions get replaced with smaller, more energy-efficient homes, the landscaping that went with them is following the same path. Will large, green, well-manicured lawns start disappearing next?
"In the past people had big areas covered in grass or materials that needed to be watered," said Rob Pressman, landscape architect for TGP Inc., located in Encino, CA. "People are reducing the amount of lawn on their property and using a lot of hardscaping, rocks and ground cover to take up space and add texture."
Pressman said that not only have builders and homeowners have been making a switch to drought-tolerant plants to save the homeowner money in watering costs, but native plants and grasses are increasingly popular because they look nice and are virtually maintenance-free.
"People are doing large-scale plantings, ornamental or native grasses, but not turf grass," Pressman said. "We're seeing a lot of the 'salad' approach, which is to just fill the entire yard with native plants." Another trend Pressman sees is "the Phoenix look," where the entire yard is filled with rock, virtually eliminating any need to water anything. "There is a move toward using non-living materials, rocks and gravel. It not only saves money on water, but there is also no need to fertilize anything. It's not as much work for the homeowner, and it saves them money. This is a big trend."
With water conservation being a major issue, water fountains have been virtually eliminated from today's landscape blueprint. But people aren't steering away from water as a whole. Some people are using recirculation fountains.
Pressman has also seen an increase in the amount of homeowners looking for edible garden space, and those crops need watering. "As people are growing more conscience of what they are eating, they want more space to garden and grow food themselves." Retaining walls are one way to add additional gardening space to a yard. Arnie Pellegrino of Long Island Elite landscaping said retaining walls are a huge part of his business. "Retaining walls get people more property," said Pellegrino.
And in this economy, most homeowners are looking to get as much as they can, for as little as they can. In the last few years, like lots of amenities in the building industry, residential landscaping has seen a hit. The big differentiator, says Pellegrino, is labor.
"There have been upgrades that are now considered commonplace. It's like in the auto industry, things that were considered extras, like air conditioning and FM radio, are now included. Same for landscaping. A lot of the fancier stuff is now being sold for the same price. But we're selling labor; we don't sell plants. There are times where the materials are more expensive, but it's actually easier to install than the cheaper option, so I'll offer it for the same price."
Both Pellegrino and Pressman agree that outdoor living space has also become a major amenity. "Barbecuing has always been popular, but it's becoming more developed. The outdoor spaces and outdoor rooms are being to look very similar to the indoor rooms," said Pressman. "You're not only getting people who want outdoor kitchens, but they want outdoor heaters. There has been such a development in affordable outdoor products that have really made it easy to transform an outdoor living area."
With an outdoor living area come add-ons. Lighting and grills are two huge components to making an outdoor kitchen a space the homeowner will use on a consistent basis.
Julie Smith-Taylor of Eldorado Stone is seeing more outdoor customization features. "Homeowners value timeless elements that reflect quality, authenticity and permanence," she said. "As people are staying in their homes longer and customizing them, you're seeing more stone retaining walls, stone fireplaces, and barbecue islands being built. These are elements that bring people together."
Smith-Taylor said Eldorado Stone has seen in increase in manufactured stone being used over natural stone, as a finish material for these projects, due to its cost benefits.
Concrete pavers and interlocking pavers are becoming more widely used, to add livable outdoor space and create walkways. Pressman said one reason for this is because with sand there is no cracking, and you can have water lines and other utilities run underneath pavers without having to tear up traditional concrete paths.
"I think in some ways concrete is being used less commonly. Gravel and decomposed granite offer a softer look," said Pressman. "Porous pavement also allows water to seap into the ground."
Miles Chaffee, owner of Milestone Imports, a company out of Santa Fe, NM, that specializes in pour-free pavers, said his company has a seen an increase in builders using pavers of all types during the last few years. "The use of permeable pavers is on the uptick mainly because of legislation dealing with runoff. They help get the water back into the ground instead of into the sewer systems."
Not only do pavers help deal with stormwater runoff, Chaffee claims, they last much longer than traditional cement paths.
Natural stone pavers, when set correctly, need minimal maintenance and can last 50 to 100 years. The durability and looks are smooth, and they meet ADA standards, are slip-resistant and make an area more desirable. "The beauty of the pavers attracts people to walk on them, they've done studies, and they actually appear more inviting and have more people using them," says Chaffee.
Posted on Tue, May 03, 2011
In 1992, Renzo Stenico and his son Fulvio located a porphyry quarry in the unlikely village of San Juan de los Rangeles, in central Mexico. It was no accident. More than two decades earlier, the elder Stenico had founded Mondial Porfidi in Trentino, a region in northern Italy that is porphyry's home ground...
Posted on Tue, May 03, 2011
With the rising popularity of permeable pavement systems in residential and commercial landscape designs, it is important for landscape professionals to educate themselves about the different materials available for paving options. Natural stone is increasingly used as a permeable paver because of its durability and aesthetic appeal, as well as ability to facilitate water filtration and aid in land conservation...
Posted on Tue, May 03, 2011
Click the image to watch the video
Posted on Tue, May 03, 2011
The subsurface of a permeable paver installation helps filter and mitigate rainfall.
With the rising popularity of permeable pavement systems in residential and commercial landscape designs, it is important for landscape professionals to educate themselves about the different materials available for paving options.
The primary purpose in the design of a permeable paving system is to effectively reduce and manage the quantity of surface rain water runoff while accommodating pedestrians, vehicular parking and traffic. Permeable paving has proven particularly valuable in existing urban developments where the need to expand parking areas is hindered by the lack of space due to retention ponds.
By definition, for a surface to be permeable, it must allow for water to penetrate the surface through porous openings. In segmental or unit paving, the joints are what make the surface permeable. Some surface materials, such as gravel, do not have a solid surface and therefore allow water to pass through to the subsurface.
Typically a subsurface for segmental permeable paving would be designed using a crushed stone base that would provide filtration and partial treatment for rain water runoff pollution.
A full filtration system designed for permeable subsurface soils should allow the storm water to penetrate the surface and filter through the base course and the native soils back into the aquifers. If the capacity of the soil to filtrate the water is exceeded, the base may be designed to filter, partially treat and then slowly release the water into a storm sewer.
Permeable pavers can free up land used previously for retaining ponds.
The different types of permeable paving have pros and cons. In terms of cost, gravel is the least expensive option. The drawbacks are that it requires frequent maintenance and renewal and the high upkeep increases the cost over time. Also, wheel ruts easily form in gravel, which detracts from the appeal.
Permeable concrete and asphalt are next in terms of expense, but studies have shown them to be prone to clogging, negating their efficacy.
Brick, concrete, and natural stone pavers require that the material in the joints be permeable since the pavers themselves are not considered to be permeable. The brick must be the correct type and manufactured to specific requirements in order to be used in paving applications, especially in freeze-thaw climates. Constant freezing and thawing is harder on materials than climates that freeze and remain frozen for long periods.
No matter the material chosen for a permeable paving project the benefits outweigh the additional costs. Permeable paving can free land designated for retaining ponds and has numerous environmental benefits. Done correctly with durable materials the paving can have a long life span and be aesthetically pleasing.
The author is founder and president of Milestone and Milestone Imports.
Copyright 2010 Lawn & Landscape
Posted on Mon, May 02, 2011
What began as an import of two truckloads of porphyry from Mexico Porphyry & Stone of San Luis de La Pais, Mexico, has grown to become a profitable business for Milestone Imports of Santa Fe, NM. The company, which became involved with the material in the mid-1990s — has experienced a steady increase in its area and beyond through the years. Today, Milestone represents the Mexican quarry in the U.S. and Canada as well as in Asia...
Posted on Mon, May 02, 2011
In a society increasingly concerned with the safety and durability of our streets, walkways, and even driveways, landscape architects are adopting new paving materials and methods that meet their customers' requirements for both functionality and aesthetics. Ironically, many are turning to a natural stone paver that dates back many centuries when it was first used to design the streets and various monuments in Imperial Rome.
Porphyry, a type of plutonic, igneous rock, is becoming the natural stone of choice for landscape architects who recognize the problems associated with many modern paving techniques. In addition to being one of the most durable options for paving, the variety of colors and design options available makes it one of the most sought-after materials for paving and facing in the U.S., Europe, and around the world.
Image Above: The New Mexico Museum of Art features two courtyard landscapes paved in porphyry, where the stone serves as a foundation for many of the Museum's monumental sculptures. Eric Enfield, an architect with Santa Fe, NM - based Architectural Alliance, Inc. says, "Porphyry is one of the hardest materials in the world and it offers an old-world approach that is absolutely stunning. I know that when I am gone, the porphyry that I designed will still be there."
THE ROYAL STONE
The term "porphyry" is from the Greek and means "purple." Throughout history porphyry was considered a royal stone by emperors, pharaohs and kings and was treasured for its color, texture and hardness. Since the Roman era, roads, public spaces, and squares have been paved with porphyry and many exist to this day throughout Europe.
Its distinctive structure, as well as stratification, determines porphyry's technical characteristics - high compression breaking point, high resistance to chemical agents, high sliding and rolling friction. Porphyry has an even yet rough surface and because of the difference in hardness of the minerals it contains, porphyry pavers do not become smooth due to wear or slippery when wet.
FLEXIBILITY IN DESIGN
Porphyry offers infinite possibilities for uses as it suits many different environments and is both functional and decorative. It is used by landscape architects for everything from country houses, to residential buildings and public and private construction projects. Porphyry can be worked into cubes, pavers, tiles, irregular flagging, curbstones, borders and rustic wall veneer and is also available with sawn or snap cut edges.
Landscape architect Rick Story with SWA Group - recognized as a world leader in landscape architecture, urban design and planning - has used porphyry in a variety of commercial projects. For more than 20 years, SWA group has worked with Stanford University to continuously improve the institution's landscape while preserving the historic beauty of the century old campus. "When it comes to color, texture, and cost, few natural paving materials compare to porphyry," said Story. "The stone lends itself beautifully to an exterior hardscape featuring a rustic yet sophisticated quality."
Landscape architect Rick Story of SWA chose porphyry to accent some of the main areas of the campus that allow students, faculty, and visitors to circulate and gather, like the bicycle routes and campus center.
While the aesthetic appeal of porphyry is enough to catch the attention of many landscape architects, the durability of the stone is perhaps its strongest selling point. Eric Enfield, an architect with Santa Fe, NM - based Architectural Alliance, Inc. has worked with porphyry in a variety of commercial and residential projects. The New Mexico Museum of Art features two courtyard landscapes paved in porphyry, where the stone serves as a foundation for many of the Museum's monumental sculptures.
"In designing the landscape of the Museum, we had to choose a material that wouldn't run the risk of cracking under the weight of its heavy sculptures," said Enfield.
PORPHYRY DESIGN AND PATTERNS
Porphyry cubes are the most recognized style of porphyry. They offer infinite possibilities in different geometrical patterns - arch, circle, fan, or peacock tail - and are sometimes framed by porphyry of a different color. Staggered cubes offer greater resistance to heavy loads and forces and are excellent for road paving.
- 1 inch to 2 inch cubes are recommended for paving that is subject to pedestrian traffic, such as squares in town centers, courtyards, patios, pavements, pool surrounds and garden paths.
- 2 inch to 3 inch cubes are recommended for paving roads subject to mixed traffic (pedestrian and automobiles), both in urban centers and elsewhere. They have also proved extremely useful for paving modern stables.
- 3 inch to 4 inch cubes are suitable for paving areas with intense traffic, heavy loads or where chemicals are present.
- Porphyry pavers and tiles are used to pave walkways, squares, roads, driveways, patio and courtyards. Porphyry creates a beautiful look for interiors with sawn or snap cut sides. Pavers and tiles are recommended for paving exterior surfaces since they are freeze, thaw and slip resistant.
- Pavers and tiles are cut in the following dimensions: widths of 4 inch, 6 inch, 8 inch, 10 inch and 12 inch in random lengths, with thickness available in 1 inch+/- for saw cut and 1 inch to 2 inch or 2 inch to 3 inch for snap cut edges. Squares, rectangles and random lengths are available in both cuts.
Irregular flagging is also a paving method used for exterior surfaces and is particularly suitable for paving squares, patios, courtyards, pavements, pedestrian passages, driveways, garden paths and portals. Because of its rough surface, this material is particularly useful for bordering swimming pools. Porphyry is used in modern architecture to add a personal touch to open spaces and to give buildings an element of functionality and decoration.
Veneer placed flat, one on top of the other, is particularly suitable for facing walls, pillars and wainscots. Placed perpendicularly, side by side, they are used for paving steep sloping roads, particularly in areas subject to frosting and in garage approach ramps.
About the Author -
Miles Chaffee is the founder and president of Milestone Imports, the largest importer of Mexico Porphyry in the U.S. Seven years ago, Chaffee obtained exclusive rights to the largest porphyry quarry in Mexico, located in San Luis de la Paz, GTO, and now distributes the porphyry throughout North America and Asia Working with AECDaily.com, Chaffee has developed a course called "Porphyry as a Permeable Pavement" offering free educational learning credits to more than 12 organizations in Canada and the US Projects include the St. Francis Cathedral Labyrinth, Santa Fe, NM; Sandhill Rosewood Hotel, Menlo Park, CA; Ritz Carlton Hotel, Palm Beach, FL; Disneyland Hong Kong, Fantasy Land and many homes throughout the US and Canada. For more information contact mailto:info@milestoneimports.com
Copyright 2009 Landscape Architect And Specifier News
Posted on Mon, May 02, 2011
As the sustainability and economic impact of residential and commercial developments become increasingly important in our society, homeowners, developers and government officials look to landscape architects who can offer environmentally-friendly solutions that are both cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing. In an industry that is consistently developing innovative ways to be more efficient and environmentally responsible, landscape architects are looking to a method that has been used since the Roman Empire. Permeable paving methods have been used for thousands of years, but only recently have landscape architects started to use this method to market themselves as eco-savvy.
As the green movement intensifies, it is important for landscape professionals to educate themselves about the different materials and methods used for permeable paving. The Romans used Porphyry, a natural granite stone, to pave their streets and walkways. The Porphyry pavers were set using a porous material in the joints to allow water to filter back into the ground. This early method remains a viable option today and isincreasingly used by landscape architects and designers who are learning from the past to design the future.
WHAT IS PERMEABLE PAVING AND WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
For a surface to be considered permeable, it must allow water to penetrate the surface through porous openings. In segmental or unit paving, like natural stone or brick pavers, the joints are what make the surface permeable. Some surface materials, such as gravel, do not have a solid surface and therefore allow water to pass through to the subsurface.
Typically a subsurface for segmental permeable paving would be designed using a crushed stone base which would provide filtration and partial treatment for rainwater runoff pollution. A full filtration system designed for permeable subsurface soils should allow the stormwater to penetrate the surface and filter through the base course and the native soils back into the aquifers. If the capacity of the soil to filtrate the water is exceeded, the base may be designed to filter, partially treat and then slowly release the water into a storm sewer.
While there are many environmental benefits of permeable paving, the primary purpose in the design of a natural stone permeable paving system is to effectively reduce and manage the quantity of surface rainwater runoff while accommodating pedestrians, vehicular parking and traffic. Permeable paving has proven particularly valuable in existing urban developments where the need to expand parking areas is hindered by the lack of space due to retention ponds. In these situations, permeable paving is a cost effective way to create parking areas, while eliminating the need for some retaining ponds, since the permeable pavers allow rainwater to filter back into the ground naturally. Other benefits of permeable paving include a more beautiful, user friendly environment that eliminates unsightly retention ponds and reduces runoff by 80% or more. This eliminates puddling and flooding on parking lots. Additionally, the improved drainage speeds up the ice melt process, which reduces snow plowing costs.
For the landscape professional and the customer, it is important to note that this system also promotes tree survival by providing air and water to the roots. Using a subsurface water retention system also helps to preserve wooded areas and open landscapes by eliminating the need for surface ponding. Developers may also gain. This may also reduce overall development costs due to the reduction in storm sewers and other drainage methods otherwise required.
WHAT PERMEABLE PAVING OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE?
Each type of permeable paving material has its advantages and disadvantages. In terms of cost, gravel is the least expensive. However, it requires frequent maintenance and renewal, which over time, adds up to a higher cost for materials and labor. Permeable concrete and asphalt are next in terms of expense, and studies have shown that these materials are prone to clogging, negating their effectiveness. A study conducted by the Metropolitan Engineer’s Council in Denver, CO, showed a complete failure of permeable concrete under freeze-thaw conditions. Due to pervious pavement issues with clogging and vulnerability to freezethaw, the material is not ideal for all situations or climates. In fact, some cities have removed pervious asphalt and concrete pavement because of the problems with clogging and continued maintenance.
Another option for permeable paving is brick, concrete or stone pavers with permeable joints. The permeability and water-flow-through rate is dependent on the porosity of the material in the joints, the size of the joints and the entire substrate design. The joint material should adequately allow the passage of water to quickly drain, possess structural capability to withstand traffic loads and provide horizontal stability to the paving surface. Permeable pavers have the ability to infiltrate rapidly compared to most soils and a conservative approach should be taken in designing the system.
Natural stone materials, such as Porphyry, have been used for centuries throughout the world and have proven to be an excellent choice offering beauty, longevity and low maintenance. Natural stone life cycles are measured in decades with studies showing typical minimum of 60 years. Granites such as Porphyry last for centuries. Porphyry is extremely dense with a porosity of less than .6%. Using it in a permeable setting system requires the same pervious materials for the joints and attention to the details of the substrate discussed earlier, but offers an unparalleled surface for durability, low maintenance and overall functionality. The natural surface also meets the American Disability Act (ADA) for slip resistance and smoothness and is inert to chemicals.
IN SUMMARY
It is beneficial for all landscape contractors to educate themselveson the art of permeable paving. With the rising popularity of segmental pavers, such as Porphyry, and the ecological benefits of permeable paving, it is likely that the demand for segmental permeable paving will continue to increase in the future. Cities such as Chicago, Boston and Detroit have started initiatives to “Green” their cities by installing permeable paving for storm water management. Other cities have allowed property owners to use more of the land area by shrinking or eliminating retention ponds if permeable paving is used on the property. It is necessary for a landscape contractor to have an understanding about the different types of permeable paving options available to fit their customers’ specific projects and capitalize on the growing number of Green initiatives in their markets. No matter the decision on the materials, it is essential for landscape architects and designers to fully understand the intricacies of permeable paving and different options available.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Miles Chaffee is the founder and president of Milestone Imports, the largest importer of Mexico Porphyry in the U.S. with exclusive rights to the largest porphyry quarry in Mexico. Chaffee has developed a course called "Porphyry as a Permeable Pavement" offering free educational learning credits to more than 12 organizations in Canada and the US. and travels extensively presenting seminars on different and historical methods of setting Porphyry pavers.
For more information about Milestone Imports including a free Installation Manual and project photos CD, contact info@milestoneimports.com or call (866) 641-1999
Copyright 2009 Landscape Architect Trades
