Porphyry- Technical guide
Porphyry. Technical guide to a noble stone
Talking about porphyry means referring to a product and know-how that spans time,sought after for its beauty, strength and durability, one of the most popular Italian products abroad and among the most widely used natural stones in architecture. Rocks similar to porphyry can be found all over the world, but only in Trentino Alto Adige (Italy) do they have the ideal characteristics to become a precious product for paving city squares and streets, parks, villas and gardens, proven by centuries of use. Trentino Porphyry is an extraordinary resource, abundant but not unlimited, capable of telling the world about the value and beauty of products that are Made in Italy. For this reason, it is strategic to appreciate it and guide its correct use by means of communication dedicated to designers, users and administrators in which it clearly emerges why Trentino Porphyry is so special, how the paving is designed, how it is laid, how the production cycle is managed, how circular economy and the sustainability of the product are pursued and achieved. Paving in outdoor spaces is essential for today’s and tomorrow’s cities, and must be continuously modernised to meet the challenge of usage requirements, global warming management and smart city needs, proving its contribution in terms of sustainability. This led to the project to issue the volume entitled “PORPHYRY” technical guide to a noble stone, an important publication in terms of content and form, designed to be a tool providing professional knowledge. In fact, following in the footsteps of the manuals produced a few decades ago, but in a modern way and on a national and global scale, this guide illustrates – from a genetic, regulatory, application and maintenance point of view – the product that represents a sector that has recently rediscovered a new international destination, by exporting to over 50 countries.
Porphyry. Technical guide to a noble stone
Porfido. Guida tecnica di una pietra nobile
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General informations
Publisher C.I.P.T. Italporphyry
Number of pages 320
Size 21 x 29,7 x 19 cm
Availability information
Curious? Ask for more questions about the new Guide!
The authors: Andrea Angheben e Grazia Signori
Andrea Angheben
When I was born in 1966, (my grandfather) Emilio Gaffuri had already been studying porphyry for 40 years, constantly seeking the best applications and techniques for the installation of this unparalleled product. Perhaps the saying “good blood doesn’t lie” holds true, as I inherited from Emilio an innate discomfort at seeing ruined or, worse, poorly and unattractively laid stone floors. I’ve tried to carry on this virtuous family tradition throughout my life, alternating practical experience in the field of natural stone flooring with teaching. I’ve taught and mentored in courses for professional training of porphyry paviors, from basic levels to Master Artisan Layers. On behalf of E.S.Po, the Porphyry Development Authority, I’ve authored various technical publications and conducted indepth seminars at numerous Italian universities. Recently, I contributed to the drafting of UNI 11322:2009 and UNI 11714-1:2018 Italian national Standards. Since 2014, I’ve been the director of the Consorzio Italiano Porfido del Trentino – Italporphyry. I wish to dedicate this publication – co-authored with Ms. Grazia Signori – to all those who hold a deep appreciation for natural stone.
Grazia Signori
Born and raised in Bergamo, the rest of my life has been a constant journey. As a child, I used to collect stones while contemplating nature; I wanted to become a MD researcher to save lives, but my internal GPS inevitably led me back to geology. Since 1999, ornamental stones have become my obsession. Later on - initially at CNR (National Council of Research) and next at the Marble District Testing Laboratory in Veneto - I have studied, observed, listened to, analyzed, crushed, and even destroyed many stones, more than 4000 from all over the world. Continuously searching for a deeper understanding of their secrets, their character, and their potential. Today, I coordinate the national regulatory table (UNI) dedicated to natural stones while working for Mapei on stone roads for the future. For the Academy of Sciences, Letters, and Arts in Bergamo and the Italian Association of Geology and Tourism, I carry out research and outreach projects to share with young and old alike the endless stories and colors of the geological soul of cities, always with the same wonder as that child who collected stones. Among my recent publications are “Lost oceans, shifting sands, changing rivers, resting volcanoes” (Academy of Sciences, Letters, and Arts of Bergamo, 2019) and “Entryways of Milan” (Taschen, 2017, co-authored by me). This volume, co-written with Andrea Angheben, is for those who cherish natural stones beauty and the legacy they imparts to us through a “know-how” made up of intuition, sweat, ingenuity, hard work, perseverance, good taste, and the passion as of those who came before us and those who still dedicate themselves to this fascinating world.