(experimentadesign)


 
  PRESS RELEASE
31.10.2016
  PORTUGUESE STONE
  VIEW ONLINE  
 
EXPERIMENTADESIGN PRESENTS AN ONLINE PLATFORM
FOR PORTUGUESE STONE
This project is conducted within the programme First Stone launched last Venice Architecture Biennale
Lisbon, 31 October 2016 - As of today the website www.primeirapedra.com of the First Stone (Primeira Pedra in Portuguese) programme is launched. First Stone is a long term research in which architects and designers explore the characteristics and qualities of Portuguese stone. The website functions as a database of Portuguese stone and demonstrates the outcomes of the architectural and design interventions. It gives insight into the different types of stone, its usage and origin. Besides, an inspirational overview of examples is given in which different sorts of stone are used.




TWO MAIN FUNCTIONS: DATABASE AND PLATFORM

The website can be subdivided into two sections: a database and a platform. The database provides facts and figures regarding 36 different sorts of Portuguese marble, granite, limestone and slate. The materials are subdivided by several properties like compression, bending strength, volumetric weight, water absorption and porosity. For potential users contact information is given of the Portuguese companies that are in charge of extraction, processing and export of the material. Additionally, an impression is given of international projects that make use of Portuguese stone.

The other section of the website contains an actual overview of the outcomes of the three main projects of the First Stone programme: Resistance (architecture), Still Motion (graphic design) and Common Sense (product design). Furthermore, the authors that are up to now involved in the projects are introduced: Álvaro Siza, Amanda Levete, Bijoy Jain, Elemental and Mia Hägg. The upcoming international presentations are stated in a calendar. The next project, Still Motion, will be launched in Milan (april 2017) during Milan Design Week.


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The building of King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center by Zaha Hadid consists of among others Portuguese limestone © DR

FIRST STONE
Portugal has an extended history in the extraction of a rich variety of stones. First Stone aims to research and disseminate the material properties, the use and the socio-cultural meaning of Portuguese stone. Since stone has been an indispensable element for humanity to build and redefine the world, it is relevant to present and research its characteristics through the fields of design and architecture. This programme has a time span of 18 months and is divided in three projects: Resistance, Still Motion and Common sense. The results are already presented in Venice and will travel to: London, Milan, New York, Basel and São Paulo.
www.primeirapedra.com

EXPERIMENTADESIGN
First Stone is conceived and produced by experimentadesign with the mix-media partner ALTA International Creative Alliance. The entire programme is promoted by Assimagra, responsible for the Portuguese Stone Cluster.

experimentadesign is the Portugal-based but worldwide recognized knowledge production unit and active communication platform for design, culture and architecture. experimentadesign’s field of action is contemporary cultural production, observed from an international and multidisciplinary perspective.
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With the High Patronage of His Excellency the President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

Production and Manufacturing Companies
Dimpomar / ETMA / Inovopedra / Marfilpe / Mármores Galrão / Mocapor Sul / MVC / Solancis
NOTE TO THE EDITOR
For interviews and more information please contact:

Susan van Daal
International Press-Officer
susan.daal@experimenta.pt
+31 681 814 643



 
  (experimentadesign)   Rua Nova da Trindade 1, 1º Dto
1200-301 Lisboa
Portugal

+351 210 137 405
press.international@experimenta.pt
  www.experimentadesign.pt

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