STEIN 8/23 deals in detail with the topic of “sustainable building”. In this context, we present the extension to the American Museum of Natural History in New York, for whose natural stone façade star architect Jeanne Gang was awarded a sustainability certificate. We also show a hotel in Thuringia, where the entire concept, from construction to operation, has incorporated many aspects of sustainability. We also present mushrooms as building materials of the future.
Cover picture: Iwan Baan
Sustainability as the supreme discipline in the construction industry
A future in which nature and the climate are protected, fewer people suffer and society holds together – Germany is pursuing these and other goals with its sustainability strategy. Buildings play a particularly important role in this because of their long service life and high consumption of energy and resources. Reason enough for STEIN to take a closer look at sustainable building.
The spectacular natural stone façade of the American Museum of Natural History
Starting on page 6, we present the extension to the American Museum of Natural History, a work that has the makings of an architectural legend. Star architect Jeanne Gang has designed a spectacular natural stone exterior for the facade of the museum in New York, which has been awarded “Sustainability Targeting LEED Gold” – a certification of buildings or design for sustainability. The spectacular façade was inspired by the rock faces of the Antelope Canyons in Arizona, which are shaped by wind and water.
Mushrooms: building material of the future
Starting on page 22, our author Dr. Inge Bett introduces us to a surprising building material of the future: Mushrooms. They are now being used to produce more than just boards and panels. The first complete mushroom house is to be built by 2030. Not from the visible fruiting bodies, as is the case with porcini mushrooms, but from the fascinating underground mycelium, the thread-like mushroom cells. Numerous projects show how the industry can solve key issues of the future with mushroom-based materials. This is another reason why the Belgian Pavilion at this year’s Architecture Biennale in Venice is focusing on the mushroom.
Four-day week as a future working model
The future and sustainability do not happen by themselves. They have to be worked for. Annette Mühlberger presents stonemasonry companies that score points with the four-day week. You can read about how work can be organized from Monday to Thursday from page 46.
Rossittis' trade fair in Holzwickede
Our author Michael Sport visited the Rossittis in-house exhibition in Holzwickede near Dortmund for you. You can find out who he met there and what 125 years of Rossittis means for the company and its customers, the stonemasons, from page 56 onwards.
We hope you enjoy reading STEIN.
Your stone editors
In our last issue, we looked at various restoration techniques. Nüthen Restaurierungen presents four current projects and the Managing Director explains in an interview where the greatest needs lie in Germany and how important stonemasons are in preserving important cultural assets. Click here for the magazine preview.