Indian Absolute Black granite — quarried in India and supplied by Hindustan Granites of Hauppauge, NY — was an integral part of the design of the Bronxdale Community Center in Bronx, NY

Recently, the Bronxdale Community Center in Bronx, NY, opened to area residents — providing a place for learning and recreational activities. And the use of Indian Absolute Black granite throughout the building’s interior and exterior design adds value to the overall aesthetics of the neighborhood.

The exterior wall pieces feature a flamed finish -- providing the building with texture and depth.

The newly constructed center, which houses a regulation-sized gymnasium with locker rooms, also includes a lobby leading to administrative and educational spaces, a dining/multi-purpose room, kitchen and classroom — all on the first floor. Additionally, on the second level there is an arts and crafts room, three classrooms and an exercise room. The 23,000-square-foot building is equipped with a hydraulic elevator and chairlift, and each floor has handicapped accessible lavatories.

For the interior, approximately 4,000 square feet of 24- x 24- x ¾-inch floor tiles with a flamed/brushed finish were utilized.

A total of 6,000 square feet of Indian Absolute Black granite, which was quarried in India and supplied by Hindustan Granites Inc. of Hauppauge, NY, creates a contemporary environment for the new center. All of the pieces were cut to size, with thicknesses varying between ¾, 1½ and 2 inches.

The granite pieces were employed as pavers, steps and landings as well as for several desktops. The stone was also used as wall cladding for both interior and exterior spaces.

The textured granite brings dimension and a sense of permanence to the building’s design. It also gives the community center a classy look.

Several desktops within the building were also fabricated from the same stone.

For the interior lobby and multi-purpose room, approximately 4,000 square feet of 24- x 24- x ¾-inch floor tiles with a flamed/brushed finish were utilized. The stair treads measure 60 x 13¾ x 1½ inches with a polished/eased edge on three sides with a plasma finish. Additionally, the stairs landing area measures 30 x 30 x 1½ inches with a plasma finish as well. A total of 400 linear feet of 8- x 24- x ¾-inch pieces of Absolute Black granite were employed as wall base, and featured a beveled edge and plasma finish.

Outdoors, 24- x 24- x 1½-inch pavers with a plasma finish were used in the design. In total, approximately 2,500 square feet was employed.

The 23,000-square-foot building includes a regulation-sized gymnasium with locker rooms. The granite walls enhance the overall design of the space.

“The Bronxdale Community Center is a prestigious addition to our growing portfolio of successful cut-to-size projects in North America,” said Babu Reddy, president of Hindustan Granites. “Now we have proven our ability to deliver the entire range of customized stonework. Each assignment is unique in its own needs and challenges — keeping us on our toes to continuously innovate and provide the most rewarding experience for our valuable clients.”

According to Rafael Martinez, president of Marble1 LLC of New York, NY, the installer for the project, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) viewed several stone types before making a final decision on the Indian Absolute Black granite. “We worked very closely with Hindustan,” said Martinez. “They are one of our primary suppliers. I told them that we needed to present some samples for this project.”

In total, it took approximately two to three months for the stone to arrive on the jobsite. “Most of the stone was custom ordered,” said Martinez. “It did arrive on time, and the installation went quite well. When you custom order, sometimes that is not always the case.”

At times, there were between 20 to 30 workers on the jobsite, according to the installer. “Overall, it was a good installation,” he said. “It was very rapid. We had to make some adjustments for time. We would work on other parts of the building when waiting for the stone to arrive.” In all, the project took about a year to complete.

“Apart from our primary activity as one of the leading distributors of natural stone slabs in the United Sates, Hindustan Granites has developed a very strong foothold in the cut-to-size work realm with numerous repeat clients,” said Arvind Devaraj, marketing director of Hindustan Granites. “The Bronxdale Community Center is a strong testament to our quality cut-to-size work delivered from our modern facilities in India.”

Stone Shop Safety Seminar (classroom instruction) Creating a safe work environment and practicing the basic precepts of safety, both in the shop and on the job site is everyone's business! Take advantage of this 1-day seminar, presented jointly by the Marble Institute and OSHA, to enhance your safety program and safety awareness at your stone business.

Who Should Attend...
Business Owners, Fabricators, Distributors (Note: Attendee Names & Address will not be provided to OSHA)

You will learn more about….

• Silica Exposure in the Stone Industry
• Slab Handling & Other Safety Hazards in the Shop
• Free Consultation Services available for Employers
• Case Study - A Local Cleveland-area Fabricator's Encounter with OSHA
• Developing a Safety & Health Program
• How to Prepare for an OSHA Inspection
• …..and information on other safety resources available from the MIA & OSHA.

Seminar Agenda...

Tuesday, December 19, 2006
8:30am		Registration/Coffee
9:00am		Welcome - MIA/OSHA Alliance Rob Medlock, Cleveland OSHA Area Director Gary Distelhorst, MIA Executive Vice President
9:15am		Silica Exposure in the Stone Industry
10:00am		Safe Slab Handling Video
10:15am		Break
10:30am		Slab Handling & Other Safety Hazards in the Shop
11:30am		Free Consultation Services Available for Employers
11:45am		A Word from our Event Sponsors
12noon		Lunch
1:00pm		A Local Cleveland-area Fabricator's Encounter with OSHA
1:30pm		Developing a Safety & Health Program
2:00pm		OSHA Compliance Video
2:15pm		Break
2:30pm		How to Prepare for an OSHA Inspection
3:15pm		Q&A Wrap-Up
3:30pm		Depart for Home - Safety Resources on Display

About the Speakers...
Gary Distelhorst, MIA Executive Vice President
Rob Medlock, Cleveland OSHA Area Director
Julie Weis, OSHA Compliance Assistance Specialist
Aaron Priddy, OSHA Compliance Officer
Dave Roll, OSHA Safety & Health Consultant

Registration Includes….

• Registration Packet that includes the following safety resources (a $225 retail value): Safety in the Stone Business Handbook, Basics of Stone Shop Safety Video, Basics of OSHA Compliance Video, Basics of Safe Slab Handling Video
• A number of safety related handouts from both OSHA and the MIA
• Morning coffee & Lunch

Event Site….
Holiday Inn, 6001 Rockside Road, Independence, Ohio

Spanish training programs

CLEVELAND, OH — Aqua Mix, a Corona, CA, manufacturer of stone and tile care products and the Marble Institute of America (MIA) are teaming up once again to translate two recently released MIA safety training programs into Spanish, the 1,500-member association has announced. As a result of this partnership, each safety video available from the MIA will be available in both English and Spanish by early summer.

“Aqua Mix is pleased to continue its relationship with MIA in making vital training programs available in Spanish to a rapidly growing segment of the population,” said E. Rick Baldini, president of Aqua Mix. “The excellent acceptance of the two programs already offered in Spanish is evidence that these programs are filling an important niche in the industry’s training efforts.”

The two new programs include: Basics of Safe Stone Slab Handling, which defines the safe and proper handling of natural stone slabs in stone shops, stone yards and stone distribution facilities. The program includes sections on slab transportation, slab loading, slab storage and much more. (This program goes far beyond what was initially covered in The Basics of Stone Shop Safety video released in 2004 by MIA.)

Basics of OSHA Compliance, which demonstrates the importance of compliance with OSHA regulations and calls out the top infractions that can result in fines, citations and other penalties. The program was produced with the cooperation and involvement of OSHA.

“We are pleased that Aqua Mix is working with us again to broaden the educational opportunities for the entire stone industry,” said Ken Krebs of OHM International, 2006 president of MIA.

Stonework-2006 Symposium

HOOD RIVER, OR — Stonework Symposium 2006 will take place in Hood River, OR, from September 8 to October 1. It is the sixth annual gathering of the Stone Foundation, an international society of stonemasons, stonemasonry contractors, stone suppliers, architects, landscape architects and designers, artists and others involved with stone, stonework and stone art. These events are characterized by informative presentations, active demonstrations, inspiring discourse, camaraderie and conviviality.

Presenters and demonstrators include stonemasons and stonemasonry contractors, architects and landscape architects authors and artists from England, Scotland, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Canada and the U.S.

Stonework Symposium 2006 is open to the general public, and topics will include: Stone masonry — historical, practical and aesthetical; landscaping with stone — design and installation; dry stone walling; restoration masonry; sculptural stonework; and architectural stonework.

The Stone Foundation researches and communicates the history, traditions and the culture of stonework, fosters an international community of stonemasons and is a resource by means of which information and experience are shared. The Stone Foundation, which was founded only six years ago, has over 500 members in 35 states and 11 countries. Its mission is to preserve and perpetuate the time-honored art and craft of stonework and to encourage and inform the resurgence of interest in it through publications, workshops, seminars, symposia, etc. STONEXUS Magazine, a highly regarded compendium of stone lore, is the organization’s periodical publication.