Recycled Skyy® Vodka Bottles Emulate Water at the Parkway Hills Baptist Church.

Project: Parkway Hills Baptist Church Children's Area 

Architect: HH Architects, Dallas, Texas

   

Who would ever thought that "a festive evening with friends sampling savory treats and drinking top-shelf spirits poured from a lovely cobalt blue Skyy® Vodka bottle" would become the Parkway Hills Baptist Church Children's Area centerpiece? An innovated, passionate glass scientist in Berkley, CA did. More than 15 years ago he was the first to create a 100% Post Consumer Recycled Glass countertop called Vetrazzo®.   

The inspiration for  Children's Area at Parkway Hills Baptist Church was the salt water fish tank which was existing and was the idea for the "water" theme. The vision behind the design of the Check-In Desk was "stimulation" and "interactive". Using one of Vetrazzo's signature color, Colbalt Blue Skyy®; made from ACTUAL Skyy® Vodka bottles was a perfect color to emulate blue water. 

 

The primary color "windows" on the face of the desk are at child height so the children can touch them and reach inside them.  The fish tank adds visual interest,  and "thinking" and "seeing" stimulation. HH Architects & Nan Gammon thought the Vetrazzo counter added visual stimulation and of course color to the desk. 

Enviably, Parkway Hills Baptist Church was on budget but it was interesting when interior designer Nan told us "although we went through a number of value engineering exercises with this client, cutting the Vetrazzo counter was never approved.  The client agreed that it was the centerpiece of the Check-In Desk, and they liked that it was recycled glass".  

 

Project Credits  

  HH Architects: Principal -Jerry L. Halcomb

  Project Manager - Tom Willis

  Interior Designer - Nan Gammon

  Construction Administrator - Dale Smith 

  GC: Beck Group/Principal Robert Hodges 
  Project Manager - Elliot Bevers

For more information about Dorado Soapstone or HH Architects please visit the webistie! 

DoradoStone Distributors or HH Architects

Elements by Durcon® ... a NEW Partnership.

We are pleased to announce an exciting new partnership with Durcon Inc.®. Dorado Stone Distributors is the Authorized Distributor of Elements by Durcon®.

 

Elements is a scientifically engineered material - a fusion of pure, fine natural quartz and post-consumer recycled glass. The company's scientific breakthrough has resulted in the creation of a highly polished, luxurious and sustainable surface - virtually indestructible. This unique eco-friendly surface delivers the best of all worlds setting a new standard for kitchen and bath environments. Elements is ideally suited as the material finish of choice for kitchen and bath countertops and vanities. Not only is it aesthetically beautiful but  ... it is MADE IN TEXAS.

• Eco-Friendly
• Easy to Maintain
• Scratch Resistant 
• Heat, Bacteria & Stain Resistant
• Non-Porous
• Scratch Resistant
• Limited Lifetime Warranty
• No Sealing Required
• Safe for Food Contact
• Made in Taylor, TX 

   

For More Information & photos please visit contact us:

www.doradostonedist.com or www.elementsbydurcon.com

Kitchen Before and After Using Recycled Glass Counter tops

Kitchen Before & After: A Small Outdated Kitchen Gets a Fantastic Green Makeover Kitchen Remodel

Design Guide Editorial, Vetrazzo Recycled Glass

When we think recycled glass, we think of coke bottles, but we never think of what it could be used for. Vetrazzo'stransforms recycled glass into beautiful surfaces that can be used for bathrooms, kitchens, bars, tables, fireplace mantles and so much more. What is so great and beautiful about this product is that each piece of glass holds its own story. From beginning to end Vetrazzo's tracks the history of the glass. Just as a grandmother passes a family treasure to a grandchild, you receive a history of something beautiful to create your own history with. This product comes in so many wonderful colors and designs that can fit into any room and is a breeze to clean. Most importantly, you are contributing to the environment.

Sustainable Alegria Project- Austin, Tx: Black Soapstone

"Reduce/Reused/Recycle" ... June is Nation Recycling Month so it is only suitable we choose a Sustainable Smart Project as our Project of the Month. On Sunday, June 3, Texas Solar Energy Society and Austin Energy Green Building will showcase this years BEST energy efficient design & sustainable building technology homes in Austin and The Alegria Project is one of the homes on the 16th Cool Home Tour. 

 

Eco-Savvy Builder Alex Pettitt, owner of Spring Builders carefully planned and thought through every detail of the Alegria Project.

The structure embodies the green building principle of cross and stack ventilation. And has a welcoming comfortable open design feeling. 

With help from interior designer Chelsea Brady, owner of Chelsea + Remy Design and architect Nick Mehl, the team collaborated the principals of smart design with environmental sustainability.

  

Simple clean lines and products were used throughout the home. As seen in the kitchen, they used Minas Black Soapstone for their countertops. Soapstone was a perfect fit because it has that clean matte finish look they were trying to achieve with all the benefits of a sustainable surface. Soapstone is naturally nonporous and does not require a sealer. Making it 100% chemical free and antimicrobial. 

The Alegra Project is just another example of how energy efficient design & sustainable building technology can beautiful. For more information about the Cool Homes Tour and The Alegria Project please visit the below links. 

Cool Home Tour

Builder - Spring Builders

Interior Designer - Chelsea + Remy Design 

Architect - Nick Mehl Architects  

Photography - Allison Cartwright, Twist Art Photography  

20 Soapstone Inspirations: Soapstone Colors

Inspired by The Granite Gurus... here are 20 pictures of Soapstone to inspire you to use it on your next project. 

  

 

*PHOTOS ARE FINISHED PROJECTS USING DORADO SOAPSTONE 
Make sure to check out The Granite Gurus photos as well! 
The Granite Gurus: 10 Soapstone Kitchens, Sinks and a Fireplace

Whisky Rocks

You've seen them around, you've heard about them but WHAT EXACTLY are Whisky Rocks? 

  

These innovated gray cubes other wise known as Whisky Rocks (Whisky Stone or Scotch Rocks) are essentially ice cubes that will not water down your drink. So what are they made of? Soapstone! Traditionally, used as countertop tops in kitchens, bathrooms, bar tops and chemistry labs; Soapstone is the ONLY nonporous, odorless, tasteless and a natural food safe stone used in the home. 
Due to the high density of the material, soapstone retains temperature so they are great chilled in your freezer or heated up in your microwave. Not only are Whisky Rocks reusable but they will not scratch your top shelf barware either. 






More more information check out http://www.doradostonedist.com/shop/