Marble is a precious rock that has many different properties. There are very few rocks like it. The biggest reason why this rock is used in both sculpture and architecture is because of its incredible beauty. On the other hand, the fantastic chemical properties make it one of the best materials for agriculture and pharmaceuticals.

Marble also has optical properties that make it perfect for use in paper, paint, and cosmetics. Since it's a low-cost commodity and abundant, marble is used for a wide range of construction projects.

This is one of the most valuable rocks with a lot of unique properties which is why it has found its way into many different industries. Pretty much every famous structure across the world has been made using marble. Let's delve deeper into the use of this valuable rock in architecture.

Marble and the 21st Century

Marble's biggest and most precious property is that it's metamorphic, which means it's changeable. This fantastic multipurpose rock forms when extensive pressure and heat cause limestone to metamorphose. Marble has many different components that are minerals, such as oxides, iron, graphite, pyrite, quartz, mica, clay, and calcite.

Calcite is a fascinating component of marble, as its main property is recrystallization. It forms a rock that's made of interlocking calcite crystals. There's also dolomite marble that comes from pressured and heated dolostone.

Marble possesses incredible strength and exceptional aesthetics. Because of these properties, this precious rock has been used in art, architecture, and construction for ages. This valuable rock is especially useful in construction as it has many great benefits to count on.

That's why marble and construction have a very long history together. Since this is a versatile and robust rock, it has been used to build huge buildings and structures over centuries. Marble and limestone are mostly used in American, European, and Asian architecture and construction.

Both stones can be curved and cut easily, which is why they are ideal for sculpting. Marble was one of the most used materials in Michelangelo's sculptures and statues. What makes marble so exciting and one of a kind is its outstanding weather resistance.

No matter the conditions, this precious natural stone maintains its beauty and texture. That's the biggest reason why marble is the most suitable stone for both interior and exterior design. If we take a look across the globe, we can see that the majority of historical buildings were made from marble.

The best examples are:

●       The Supreme Court in Washington DC

●       Washington Monument in Washington DC

●       Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt

●       The Coliseum in Rome, Italy

●       Taj Mahal in India

3 Types of Marble

Marble is the favorite material used for interior and exterior architecture because of its many varieties of colors. Depending on the design and style of a structure, a different variation of color is used to improve or complement aesthetics. There are three main types of marble that are used for construction on a regular basis.

White Marble

White marble looks incredibly fresh and it has the ability to promote and inspire preciseness and purity. When introduced to any structure, it tends to provide space and light, making the entire area look livelier.

This type of marble is mostly used in small, limited, and confined spaces such as bathrooms, storage rooms, and kitchens. It can be easily combined with other color variations, such as black, to create highly customized, personalized, and unique interior design solutions.

Some of the most popular types of white marble are:

●       Blanco Macael

●       Blanco Ibiza

●       Blanco Franco

●       Blanco Carrara

●       Antique white marble

●       Oriental white marble

Cream Marble

Cream marble has a particular shade that goes exceptionally well with neutral colors such as ivory and beige.

When used in any area of a building, it can bring a harmonious and vivid atmosphere, significantly improving the mood of the entire structure.

This fantastic property makes it one of the most used shades of marble in interior design and architecture.

The most popular types of cream marble are:

●       Oyster cream

●       Ivory cream

●       Crema Valencia

●       Afyon cream

Black Marble

The first things that come to mind when we say black marble are associations with elegance and luxury. Even though it adds a luxurious look to any space, black marble works best with large and well-lit areas.

It's the most used material in spaces like expansive rooms and kitchens. In architecture and design, black marble is mostly used for facades and cladding. Black marble exists in 4 different types:

●       Monterey black marble

●       Black marble pebble

●       Black forest marble

●       Negro Marquina marble

3 Reasons to Use Marble in Modern Architecture

There are many reasons to use marble in 21st-century architecture and construction, but we will name the three biggest ones.

1. Marble is extremely durable

Out of all the natural stones, marble is among the most durable rocks. This property makes it simply perfect for construction. This incredible ability to flawlessly stand the test of time is the biggest reason why marble was one of the most used materials in ancient architecture.

Just take a look at the Taj Mahal and The Great Pyramids of Giza as the best examples of how durable marble is. It's also extremely resistant to climate, weather, and erosion, which makes it suitable for interior and exterior design.

2. Heat and fire resistance

Out of all the natural rocks, granite and marble are the most heat and fire-resistant. In modern construction, marble is mostly used to build houses and construct buildings, especially in regions with high temperatures.

Marble can act almost like a natural air conditioner as it can remain cool at higher temperatures. That's why it's the most used material for kitchen countertops and tiling.

Fire and heat resistance are some of the most prominent properties of marble. Such features make it one of the most used raw materials in modern commercial construction. Other most used materials in modern construction are flammable, and in case of a fire, there will be extensive damage.

With marble, this isn't the case. Marble interiors and exteriors suffer far less damage in case of fires. On top of all that, since it's highly workable, marble is easy to repair. These are the biggest reasons why marble is simply perfect for modern construction and architecture.

3. Marble is a cost-efficient solution

As a raw material, marble is well-known for its exceptional and expensive beauty. Despite this being so, marble is anything but expensive. It's one of the most cost-efficient solutions around.

Still, the price of this fantastic constructive material depends on the type, design, and thickness of marble. When compared to more deluxe versions such as granite or quartz, marble is the most affordable.

Travertine- The Most Used Marble in Architecture

When it comes to the use of marble in architecture, we can't but mention the most used type of marble - travertine. Some call it the most beautiful material in the world. Others say it possesses magical properties.

Characterized by its exceptional shade properties, travertine greatly varies in color. It can be white like walnut milk, going all the way to a wide range of red and yellow shades. One of the best properties of travertine is its grain, which makes it simply perfect for all sorts of interior and exterior design.

It's mostly used as a decorative material as it greatly complements creativity and helps convey emotion. Architects and great sculptors used it for the functionality of its surfaces, extreme versatility, and the unmatched aesthetic.

Despite being used mostly as a decorative material, travertine is widely recognized as a noble and structural material. As such, it was used in the most representative and significant architecture of ancient societies.

All that aside, travertine is immensely elegant, timeless, and luxurious while being warm, classical, and modern at the same time. The primary use is for flooring, even though it can be used pretty much everywhere where there's a need to emphasize the contrast between modern and classical.

It has excellent adaptability while being amazingly resistant. Travertine is also very soft, which makes it perfect for fabrication. As a decorative element, travertine is used for fireplaces, handrails, capitals, portals, and frames. It's also the most used material for kitchen and bathroom environment.

Conclusion

The type of marble can either make or break the exterior or interior of any building. If you're looking for the best material for your business that's both affordable and purposeful while giving that natural look you're after, marble is probably the best option to go with.

It provides that spacious and elegant feel for any type of commercial building. If you're looking for the best flooring solution, marble signifies cleanliness and timelessness, two critical features for the look of any business office. Out of all other natural stones, marble is the most used material in modern architecture.