Málaga Invisible

The achievement of works or unauthorised interference in the old town of the large cities has been a reality until very recently. Fortunately awareness for the protection of property that forms part of the Cultural Heritage and the enhancement of their cultural values has changed, and today the rehabilitation of real estate is controlled with a magnifying glass by public authorities to avoid putting at risk the history to save these types of buildings.

A living example of invisible Malaga is found in Calle Hinestrosa, between Madre de Dios and Frailes. A short stretch of pedestrian sidewalk that guards the detailed history of Malaga of the 18th century, a city that resisted the age of Enlightenment, a city that sang its first songs, was punished by famine and who was unaware of what they would have to suffer with the absolute outrages.

It is in this tiny little piece of Malaga, where we find real gems of history, houses of the time, and thanks to the respectful reformations, allowed us to glimpse paintings and murals, with their wild and geometric patterns, that someone in an unconscious or desperate moment, in a time of rage, had covered in quicklime.

Recenlty, Mármoles Fernández has been fortunate to work in one of these restorations. A beautiful project in which the architects Susana Gómez and Álvaro Rodríguez at Arquimas Architects, mixed as if from a miraculous potion the old and new, achieving an almost perfect fusion that takes us back to another era. A delicate work, which means the recovery of the original constructive elements and the incorporation of new and environmentally-friendly details. A job that requires expert hands, the hands of Andecopro 2001.

Slowly but surely the reformation continues and soon we will offer you pictures of the fully finished House. To give you an idea, here is the photo of a neighbouring House, you will agree with me that it is wonderful and it would be a shame if this type of buildings would continue to be neglected.

 

Near our location the church of San Felipe Neri has in its interiors our marble and the passion for perfection. Indeed a well-done job. But this is another story.

Present and Future of Synthetic

[vc_row el_position=”first last”] [vc_column] [vc_column_text el_position=”first”]

In recent times the range of compact synthetic materials for kitchens has grown exponentially. While a few years ago the choice was limited between marble or granite, today we have all kinds of colours, finishes, textures, as well as a wide variety of applications ranging from its use on the counter top itself, showers, floors, sinks, etc.

Compact quartz was the first synthetic on the market. Its high resistance as well as great uniformity of colour, meant it became a substitute for natural stone for those avoiding irregular colours and texture.

There are many commercial brands that we find in the market, but at MARFESA – Marbles Fernandez, we work with those who we believe give a better service and warranty, Silestone and Compac.

Its uses, initially confined to the granite counter tops in kitchens have given way to the lining of walls and floors where you can work with a minimum board, giving the feeling that there are no separate parts but a whole infinite piece.

Compact marble is another good option. Very similar to compact quartz, in this case it is a mixture of marble and resin, which comprises a material more oriented to clients seeking a substitute for natural stone, very similar in physical appearance but more economical and less delicate. Compac is the best-known commercial company that markets such products.

The Techlam porcelain counter tops are also part of materials on offer. Much more hardy and heat-resistant, they are easy to clean, are an option for those who don’t mind a more simple look.

Something similar can be found with Neolith, a material that has a look more of plastic, and which offers a multitude of colours and finishes.
20140623_121053

But possibly the great star of our range of synthetic products is Krion. A thermo maliable material that makes impossible shapes with perfect finishing, and is possibly the future of this type of material. Much warmer that the rest of the synthetic materials, it allows retro lighting, curved forms, there are no pores and is very resistant to abrasion and stains. Its uses are endless. Marfesa, is firmly committed to its possibilities and has recently become a Krion handler, after a process of training carried out in the factory of the Porcelanosa group, where its technicians have taught us everything we need to know to give your product the treatment that it deserves.

image-4-2At Marfesa, we can take everything you have ever dreamed of in natural stone and make it with only the best of synthetic.

20140716_091454 20140716_133809-1

“Una piedra en el Camino”

[vc_row el_position=”first last”] [vc_column] [vc_column_text el_position=”first”]

“Una Piedra en el Camino”

From time immemorial there has been natural stone formed from minerals, which constitutes the core of our planet. With a gentle push, varieties of stone have been moving to the earths surface, up to be excavated in quarries.

The Egyptians were experts in the use of natural stone and classified them according to hardness. Limestones and sandstones, which are formed in horizontal layers, were extracted in blocks by size using separation cracks. Initially copper and bronze were used along with wooden mallets and other metal tools, laboriously extracting large blocks of stone with only muscle power, by the 10th to 8th centuries BC chisels and wedges of iron were employed. It´s hard to imagine the effort and human resources needed for any small construction.

For the production of hard stones, granite is mainly employed, Dolerite, and shock-resistant hard stone tools are need.

Human evolution, has never ceased in its efforts to facilitate the task of removal of this type of material. Today, the quarries have diamond wires, that facilitate the extraction of these stones.

The extraction process has gone from being done with hammers and chisels, to computerized machinery. Machines allow much greater control and accuracy even in the preparation process, using advanced software. It is something like a GPS which allows the user to create true wonders in stone, without any physical effort. These high-tech machines take skilled and highly trained people to work them.

A few days ago we had did the reproduction of a piece of art, the results speak for themselves. We´ve posted a video of making a valance in a white limestone, white because though you may not be aware, there are also black limestones, but we will leave that for another blog.

[/vc_column_text] [vc_video link=”http://youtu.be/HUHF2jssGAs”] [/vc_column] [/vc_row]

Marfesa and the “Proud Bull”.

The use of natural stone dates back to prehistoric times, a period in which human being began to develop bracelets or everyday utensils as well as more complex constructions such as mausoleums.

But a lot has happened since then and new technologies have completely revamped the sector, allowing the incorporation of new without losing the charm of the past. What once was done directly can be done with the help of the latest technology. Combining the creativity of the artist with more accurate computers to reproduce works of high artistic value. The design of the sculptor, the breath that you can equip the natural stone, a material as inert and immobile, life, soul, is transformed.

From its origins, back in the second half of the XIX century, Mármoles Fernández always collaborated with artists and translated their know-how to produce more colorful creations in natural stone. Their latest work has been the production of a series of bulls from the sculptor and friend, Pedro Rodriguez, Pedrin. This work, the “Proud Bull” was made 20 years ago for an exhibition in Ronda has been admired by half the world, it was even featured in the film “Night at the Museum II” and shared space with works of incalculable artistic value like “The thinker of Robin”.

Pedrín´s Bull

 

Toro Pedrín

The new reproductions have been developed in Calatorao, Rojo Alicante and Daino Reale marble. Without doubt an exciting project whose final result you can judge for yourself.

toros de Pedrín