Whatever part of the world you are from, chances are very good that there is – or was, a local stone which was quarried and used to create stone buildings. Historic stone buildings in particular, capture our attention which led us to this website by Bruce Railback, Professor, Department of Geology, University of Georgia.
His website has a specific page on stone buildings with a lengthy geologic listing of every type of stone available in the world. The purpose of Professor Railbacks web page is straightforward:
1. to remind general observers of the use of geological materials in building;
2. to encourage general observers to look at the stone in buildings they visit;
3. to encourage architects and builders to remember stone as they plan their work; and
4. to acquaint geologists with some of the unexpected uses of geological materials as building stones.
We are obviously enthusiastic, yes even passionate, about natural stone in both building and hard-scape/landscape use. A resource like this can be helpful for any level of interest and ultimately increase ones understanding of stone in architecture.