Piedra'08 meet its proposals around two main areas: an area exclusively dedicated to natural stone materials, and another showing the supply of machinery, accessories and tools used in their extraction, processing and handling.

In this issue, major developments are focused on the one hand in the decorative use of natural stone in households and by another in progress for the assembly and construction. The use of new colors and new materials with different applications from natural quartz, and the implementation of rocks of different textures for use indoors and outdoors, as well as various technical advances in machinery for working stone, are some of the firsts that may be in the Hall

The value of architecture in Piedra'08

Piedra'08 also host other activities parallel to the contest as the II International Congress of Stone in Architecture, which will bring together the most outstanding professionals linked to the world of architecture, which will include among its speakers with architects of the stature of the Spanish Rafael Moneo and the designer and British architect David Chipperfield. The Congress is organized by Ifema and the Spanish Federation of Natural Stone (FDP) in collaboration with partners in the Piedra de la Comunidad de Madrid and the College of Architects of Madrid.

Moreover, Ifema and the Spanish Federation of Natural Stone has convened the XI Architecture Prize, Piedra'08, which will fail within the framework of the fair, and have a jury composed of renowned architects such as Antonio Lamela (President ), Rafael de la Hoz, Antonio Jimenez Torrecillas (winner of Architecture Piedra'06), Sol Madridejos, Enrique and Sergio de Leon Miguel.
Asimismo, por primera vez en Madrid y de la mano del Instituto de Comercio Exterior (ICEX), se presentará la exposición monográfica "La Natural Seducción de la Piedra - Arquitectura Contemporánea de España". Llegada desde Verona, esta exposición mostrará una selección de obras confeccionadas en nuestro país por quince arquitectos españoles, en las que la piedra natural se distingue como material predominante de sus creaciones.

Among the side events at the Exhibition Fair also stresses the design, placement and quarrying. Students from schools placement and quarrying show, on 8 and May 9, current techniques in these areas of work of the natural stone.

In addition, Piedra'08 scenario is the verdict of the Arts Awards I Tomb that distinguish the best works in funerary art; developments in columbarios; innovation tools in this market segment; material assistant funerary art, and the cemetery more adapted to new times. Organized by laguiadelapiedra.com with the collaboration of Ifema and Piedra'08, aims to promote the field of funerary art within the framework of the Fair.

The architecture and the language of the stones

Their abundance in the natural environment, its low permeability compared to water, and his durability have become the natural stone, over the centuries, the material used for excellence in the buildings. At present, natural stone material remains influential in the expression of modern architectural and decorative.

The architect Antonio Jimenez Torrecillas, winner of the previous edition of Architecture Prize, Piedra'06, for his project Rehabilitation of the Wall of San Miguel High ensures that "the stone is a natural material and always has been a part, along of all time, many of our great works. so many creations that have shaped the personality of architects. Technological advances that our society has reached are enabling new uses and applications, and certainly the most beautiful stone is to come. Through new technologies we can use it at present from very different perspectives, and this makes use from contemporary horizons. "

For its part, the architect Ruben Fernandez Picado, Estudio de Arquitectura de Blas Picado Architects, honourable mention of the X Prize edition of Architecture, Piedra'06, by the project Courts Cervera de Pisuerga (Palencia) said that "everything our knowledge of ancient civilizations has been through the footprint of stone and architecture has always been intimately linked to this material. currently used almost exclusively as a coating for both internal and external. His bearing capacity has been underestimated staying restorations and courageous in sporadic cases. "

The correct choice of stone element in the architecture influences decisively in the durability of the work and gives a note of distinction, not the same thing using a hard material such as marble to an item with less resistance as grit.

Antonio Jimenez Torrecilla, also stresses that "this material can be used from that quality that characterizes mass, or the feeling of weight and mass transmitting a dolmen up sections that its minimum strength and toughness also permit. Today we can get sections of stone 5 mm offering new applications and possibilities, unthinkable before. "

For his part, Ruben Fernandez Picado, asserts that "it would be very interesting to revert studies constructive material for use as large, recovering among other virtues, dignity structural certainly has."

A high turnout

Piedra'08 consolidates its position as regards global sector, and a few days after the inauguration of the exhibition, over 500 companies, direct and represented, including manufacturers, exporters, importers and distributors of natural stone and machinery, have confirmed their presence at this event, which will enable experts from the construction and design venture into the world of natural stone as a unique element of the great architectural projects.

In the outstanding participation of national companies, with clear leadership and absolute, as Spain is a major producer worldwide in ornamental stone, as well as an important reference in terms of handling and finishing products, joins the growing international presence. In this edition, more than 40% participation corresponds to foreign companies, which revalida the international character of this event. Among others, participating countries are Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Korea, China, Egypt, France, Greece, India, Iran, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal and the United Kingdom and Turkey.

Organized by Ifema on a biannual basis and promoted by the Spanish Federation of Natural Stone - FDP, Piedra'08 takes place from 7 to May 10 at Feria de Madrid and occupy the halls 3, 5, 7 and 9, which represents more of 65,000 square meters, which show the most complete offer with the latest proposals and trends in the field of natural stone.

Piedra'08 be held simultaneously with Veteco, the trade fair of the window and glass enclosure. A double reason for the professionals come during these four days at the Feria de Madrid, to learn the latest techniques and aesthetic solutions for the world of architecture and construction.