quarrying and processing Pietra Serena

1 | THE COMPANY 2 | THE QUARRY 3 | THE FACTORYWORKSHOP

4 | PRODUCTS 6 | I SERVICES5 | REALIZATIONS

Pietra Serena (Florentine Macigno Stone) is the great material which best represents and symbolizes the Tuscan cultural and architectural heritage. Pietra Serena is, in fact, the most traditional Tuscan stone; first used in local rural buildings, it has been gradually crossing its original geographical borders and has been gaining a new aesthetic value throughout the centuries. It is now considered as one of the greatest architectural and ornamental material and may be used for the most innovative applications. The reinterpretations of the peculiar properties and performances of Pietra Serena place it within a modernization process according to its several purposes, either structural and ornamental.

Urbano Calamini started his business in the 70’s, when the quarrying activity was only restricted to the outcropping layers due to the greater facilitations during the ʻuncoveringʻ process. Once quarried, the stone was therefore sold rough and untreated. In order to support the production of Pietra Serena, accounted as a valuable cultural identity material in the Tuscan area of Firenzuola, Calamini opened

01

about usI.The Company

up a small lumber factory and a workshop, where he began working the ore stone blocks coming fromRicavoli and Della Guardiola Quarries. Throughout the years, also thanks to his sonsʻ entry in the business, the Calamini Urbano Company has been greatly enhancing and specifying its services in response to the increasing demand of Pietra Serena products. The quarrying activity of Pietra Serena only takes place within the company-owned quarries and the ore material is entirely worked within the Calamini factory.

02

“The quarrying activity of Pietra Serena only takes place within the company-ow-ned quarries and the rough material is entirely worked within the Calamini factory.”

The company is located in Firenzuola, in the historical Pietra Serena quarrying district. The delivery, handling and storage activities of the material — rough and semifinished — happen in a wide clearance area. The production activities take place indoor, in an equipped workshop area in which the stone is cut into slabs in designated stations.

03

our locationI.The Company

In the clearance area there is also a designated station with a one-blade sawing machine where the blocks get squared off.The rest of the indoor area is dedicated to offices and administrative facilities.

04

“The production activities take place indoor, in an equipped workshop area in which the stone is cut into slabs in designated stations.”

05

environmental impactI.The Company

The Pietra Serena quarrying activity has been playing a remarkable role in the social and economic de-velopment. However, as many other human activities, it is also a reason for the change of landscape, ecosystem and thereby human settlement. Nevertheless these changes mostly depend on the opera-tive methods used during the quarrying.

06

Calamini Urbano operates in absolu-te respect of the laws regulating the recover of the drained quarries.This allows the drained quarries to return to the original stage or pos-sibly to a better environmental and landscape condition.

“Calamini Urbano operates in absolute respect of the laws regulating the recover of the drained quarries”

07

Brento AltaII.The Quarry

The Brento Alta quarry is located in the quarrying basin of Brento Sanico, in Firenzuola area, 800 meters above the sea level. The quarry consists of mining claims which cover a 70.000 square meters area and a 25.000 square meters quarrying area; the annual digging amount is 40.000 cubic meters of which 8000 are ornamental Pietra Serena to be worked.

08

The most advanced and sophistica-ted systems used in the quarrying activity, guarantee the best results in the digging, the highest safety stan-dards and the least environmental impact. Also, the organization system gua-rantees a constant supply even for large demands.

“The most advanced and sophisticated systems used in the quarrying activity, guarantee the best results in the digging, the highest safety standards and the least environmental impact.”

09

the quarrying activityII.The Quarry

The quarrying of Pietra Serena is organized in several steps. Open-pit quarries first require the removal of the upper layers of soil. Afterward, the useless upper bedrock, is removed using excavation methods or explosive sticks. Once the valuable layer is uncovered, the next step is the quarry cultivation. Some splitting machines perform cylindric holes then filled with detonating material and water.

10

The extracted material is then un-flawed, selected and moved to the factory.The waste matter is sent to a desi-gnated dump and later recycled for urban reclamations, dykes, river ban-ks, containment works, stone chip-pings and stabilizers. This delicate operation necessarily requires special vehicles and dump trucks.

“Some splitting machines perform cylindric holes then filled with detonating mate-rial and water.”

11

III.The Factory Workshop

In the process of promotion of the Pietra Serena and reinterpretation of its uses, the company has been improving and optimizing its management and technical skills. The treating of the rough stone takes place in the main workshop, inside designated areas equipped for different kinds of production. Such production chain allows to achieve a consistent range of standardized and customized products.

12

The machineries are automatic and they allow to monitor and control every operating phase in order to guarantee the highest quality stan-dards.The production intended for the re-storation of historical centers and ar-chitectural elements is the result of a synergy with selected architects; it is powered by the most advanced and efficient researches on the preserva-tion of the historical heritage.

“Such production chain allows to achieve a consistent range of standardized and customized products.”

13

the cutting process

After the rough blocks are delivered to the factory workshop, the cutting process starts. The sawing phase allows to obtain different thicknesses of the slabs using special diamond saw blades. Most stone slabs are sold this way, while the remaining amount is re-stored, selected and coded in order to get refined according to the customerʻs request.

III.The Factory Workshop

14

Thanks to highly skilled and expe-rienced stone-masons, Calamini also produces unique hand- carved crafts. Such products, carefully designed and refined in details, may satisfy any specific need.The machineries used for this ope-rating phase are one-blade or mul-ti-blade special saws along with technically advanced automatic ma-chines.The final and unique touch is last-ly provided by the prestigious sto-ne-carving tradition belonging to the company.

“Thanks to highly skilled and experienced stone-masons, Calamini also produces unique hand- carved crafts. Such products, carefully designed and refined in details, may satisfy any specific need.”

1 | la nostra storia

our productsIV.I Products

15

The special and eclectic features of Pietra Serena make this material suitable for construction works and urban furniture, as well as interior design projects. Our qualified personnel and highly advanced technologies offer an extremely wide assortment of precious finishes. Moreover, great artistic value hand-crafts are available; such products are executed with respect of the oldest work techniques and the purpose of enhancing the value of this ancient material and Italian crafts.

16

Piano Telaio o Filo SegaRough cutting techniques through which a cor-rugated surface is obtained. This effect results from the type of the cutting blades. These textu-res are particularly suitable for outdoor or indoor pavings.

LevigatoThis treatment makes the surface completely smooth and uniform highlighting features and colors. This product is especially suitable for in-door floorings and stairs, for wall coverings and outdoor wall claddings.

SpessoratoRough cutting techniques through which a cor-rugated surface is obtained. This effect results from the type of the cutting blades. These textu-res are particularly suitable for outdoor or indoor pavings

17

SpazzolatoCutting performed with brush tools which give the slabs an antiqued effect. Mostly used for stairs, pavings, outdoor and indoor wall coverin-gs.

BocciardatoTechnique carried out either by machine or by hand using pyramidal-tip tools and bush ham-mers. The resulting effect is an ore-looking sur-face and is mostly used for outdoor, indoor pa-vings, door and window framings.

ScalpellatoTreatment which makes the surface rough and combed-looking. This technique is particularly suitable for door and window framings, stairs, wall coverings, squared or round columns.

18

Rigato DrittoStriped effect obtained by engraving straight and parallel lines on the surface. This treatment may be performed by machine or by hand, with bush hammers and pointed tools. Mainly used for out-door pavings (mid-sized and large-sized streets and squares), as well as door and window fra-mings.

SabbiatoPressure treatment performed by a jet of com-pressed sand on the surface. The result ! is anextremely rough yet not cutting surface. It is re-commended for fireplace finishings, window-sil-ls, door-sills, wall coverings and stairs.

Rigato DiagonaleStriped effect obtained by engraving straight and parallel lines on the surface. This treatment may be performed by machine or by hand, with bush hammers and pointed tools. Mainly used for out-door pavings (mid-sized and large-sized streets and squares), as well as door and window fra-mings.

FiammatoRough cutting technique executed by high tem-perature flames which scratch the surface and give rough and glassy appearance. It is mostly used for outdoor pavings for which anti-slip pro-perties are required.

InvecchiatoTreatment performed by laying potassium per-manganate on the surface to obtain an aged ef-fect. It is mostly used for restoration of buildings and outdoor realizations.

AnticatoSemi-rough cutting technique which combines two different treatments: flaming and brushing. It is mainly used for stairs, pavings, wall coverin-gs, outdoor and indoor coating.

19 20

1 | la nostra storiaV.Realizations

1 | la nostra storia

Concerning interior design projects, Pietra serena is particularly suitable for flooring, fireplaces, stairs, arches, framings, columns, lintels, and ornamental elements.In outdoor projects and gardens, Pietra Serena is recommended for pavings, benches, columns, foun-tains, statues and ornamental elements.In addition to our standard products, it is possible to generate custom-made projects.

21

indoorV.Realizations

Hotel la Villetta Calenzano (Fi) | 2011Designing and construction of staircase, wall coverings, window-sills and door-sills• Polished staircase with bullnose edge (costa a toro),

simple rise• Polished wall coverings with squared edge and water

drip• Window-sills and door-sills with polished visible parts

Private HouseBaragazza (Bo) | 2009Restoration of staircase• Polished Pietra Serena staircase with bullnose

edge (costa a toro) and “alla Toscana” rise

22

S. Maria Nuova HospitalFlorence | 2013/14Renovation of indoor staircase and window-sills• Polished stairs, with squared tread and rise

section with anti-slip treatment• Polished window-sills with ”costa a toro”ʻ

(bullnose edge) section

OfficesLondon (Uk) | 2013Pavings• 2cm thick floor with brushed finish. Total

supplied amount: 700 sqm

23

outdoorV.Realizations

Private houseFirenzuola (Fi) | 2014Restoration of staircase, squared sectionand simple rise• Flamed finish with square section and simple

rise

AgritourismFirenzuola (Fi) | 2014Renovation of doors and windows• Striped finish performed by hand, later sand

blasted and aged

24

S. Maria Nuova Hospital Florence | 2013/14Renovation of Pietra Serena elements: paving, staircase and benches• Pietra Forteʻ paving, total supplied amount 1.000.00

sqm. Striped finish performed by hand• Pietra Serena staircase, with carved finish performed

by hand, bullnose edge and ʻalla Toscanaʻ rise• Pietra Serena benches with carved finish

Villa San CresciBorgo San Lorenzo (Fi) | 2013/14Renovation of doors and windows• Carved and aged finish

Consultancy and Assistance ServicesCalamini offers either technical consultancy services concerning the design stage, or assistance services concerning the selection and use of materials. Our staff is always available to advice customers either by telephone or appointment. CONTACT US.

Direct SalesCalamini’s Pietra Serena is available in a wide range of formats and thicknesses. Both small or large amount orders are possible with the company; our highly qualified staff is available for free budget quotes of any kind.

25

VI.Servicesour services

The long family tradition and its established experience, along with the upgrading quarrying and production techniques, allow the company to promptly satisfy any customized project; even for the most complex and demanding request, the highest quality and a significant aesthetic impact are ensured.

Surfaces TreatmentThe treatment of Pietra Serena is aimed to protect its surface. Calamini offers treatment services with highly professional products.

Packing and ShippingOnce ready for the shipping, slabs, semi-finished and finished products are carefully secured for transportation. High quality packing materials appropriately differ according to the content (weight, shape and size). Utmost care and on-time delivery are guaranteed.

Restoration and ConsolidationIn order to maintain and preserve the peculiar features of the stone, Calamini offers restoration and consolidation services for outdoor or indoor surfaces and finishes.

Laying ServicesThe laying procedure is extremely delicate. Than-ks to our highly qualified staff and excellent qua-lity of our products, the laying services are always precise, safe and suitable to any kind of project.

26

Calamini Urbano s.r.l.Via Imolese 96 | 50033 Firenzuola (FI)tel. +39 055.81.91.58fax +39 055.81.91.59p.iva 03675350486www.calamini.it | info@calamini.it