Slate is a traditional building material for many European countries. There it is actively mined and used for centuries for the construction of roofs and decoration of the facades of buildings. Numerous cathedrals and palaces in Western Europe were built using this material. Possessing high quality characteristics - frost resistance, elasticity, ease of shaping - slate remains in demand in modern construction. In Russia, the popularity of oil shale has not been very high until now due to the lack of a sufficient number of its own deposits. However, in recent years, oil shale, while remaining not the most affordable and even exclusive material, has become more and more actively used in our country. For example, one can often see noble gray slate roofs in cottage villages near Moscow. Decorative masonry in combination with wood looks natural against the background of a pine forest or a green field. Also, this material, which allows the construction of real eco-housing, is used in Karelia and other regions of the country.
In Europe, slate is not only a roofing material, but also the main finishing material. Today there are a wide variety of examples of its use. So, in northern Portugal, near the small settlement of Bornes de Aguiar, an eco-resort of seven guest houses for tourists was recently built, which are almost entirely made of oil shale. The project was designed by Portuguese architects Luís Rebelo de Andrade and Diogo Aguiar. Their main task was to fit new buildings into the space of one of the most beautiful parks in the country. And, I must say, they did it: the sharp-angled residential houses, "huts", neatly nestled between the trees, without interfering with their presence in the natural environment. They are deliberately made small and scattered around the area like stone boulders. The gray slate slabs covering the huts' facades and their sharp roofs make this resemblance as plausible as possible. A complex configuration with turns and ledges, which arose due to the desire to preserve all the trees on the site, becomes hardly noticeable, does not stand out, thanks to the finishing material - restrained and natural. Slate, traditionally mined in these places, gently reflects the sun during the day, in the evening, on the contrary, "collects" the last rays of the sun, keeping the inside of a comfortable temperature, and after rain it darkens and shines beautifully, giving the buildings a completely new character.
In addition to slate, wood is actively used in decoration. Balconies, terraces and separate fragments of external walls are made of it. The mirrored surfaces of tall windows and stained-glass windows reflect the forest, silently agreeing with the presence of the new. The windows are positioned to provide guests with the best view of the park.
All seven houses are assembled from modular prefabricated structures, pre-fabricated at the factory, and adapted to the terrain at the construction site. Each house consists of three main modules - a living room with a kitchen, an entrance hall with a bathroom and a separate bedroom. Blocks can be assembled in various combinations, which allows for the uniqueness and dissimilarity of each individual house. This approach made it possible to significantly reduce the construction time and reduce damage to nature from heavy construction equipment. In an effort to preserve the relief as much as possible, the architects decided to raise all the houses on stilts, abandoning earthworks and pouring the foundation.
ARCHITALE is the exclusive and official representative in Russia of the world's leading companies producing unique premium building materials.
The ARCHITALE company presents on the Russian market a unique facade system made of natural slate - SLATEFAS.
The facade system SLATEFAS is used for new construction and reconstruction in low-rise and high-rise housing construction. Simple and quick installation all year round, natural and durable material, attractive price have long made the choice towards natural slate all over the world. Natural natural colors, unique texture of each tile, many types of installation will give your project individuality and modern appearance.
