Natural stone façade panels from
Franken-Schotter

Why Jura limestone, why Franken-Schotter

Depending on the finish and selection of the stone a wide array of beige and gray shades are achievable. From cream-white to golden-beige, lively to monolithic architects have a wide color palette and style of which to choose from.  Jura limestone can also be cut against the grain to give it a directional character similar to traditional travertines. Jura limestone façade panels are generally denser and have better water absorption values than traditional travertines. Thus Jura limestone weathers better over time. Jura limestone’s excellent technical values of breaking load at anchor and frost resistant qualities make it an optimal choice for any façade application.

Whether back anchors, kerfs, dowel pins or other anchoring methods, our state-of-the-art stone processing facilities are capable of delivering natural stone façade panels in all shapes and sizes. This includes convex and concave shaped panels, curved cuts and pre-assembled stone elements, delivered to site ready to be installed.

Jura limestone Façade projects delivered successfully all over the world

The tallest natural stone building in the world, the Al Hamra Tower in Kuwait, completed in 2011 and standing at 1,358 ft. is clad with Jura limestone. This Skidmore Owings & Merrill designed masterpiece replaced the Empire State Building for the distinction of worlds’ tallest natural stone tower in 2011.

Most recently Franken-Schotter took on its most ambitious project to date producing more than 23,000 assembled stone elements for the exterior façade of 35 Hudson Yards. Not only was the selection of the material a determining factor in the success of this project but the strict tolerances of +/-0.7mm for these elements were integral in order to ensure that each pre-assembled stone element fit perfectly above the next to avoid casting a shadow. Specifically the dimples were a challenge as each piece was geometrically unique. Excellent communication with SOM and New Hudson Facades and Related made this project successful. From the design of the brackets to which Franken Schotter mounted the stone to, to the geometric design and selection of the range, all parties contributed positively to the success of the project.

With abundant quarrying and production capacities, however, we are able to deliver even the largest façade projects such as Red Side in Moscow which utilizes approximately 60,000m² of Jura limestone.

The stone can of course be used for smaller project and is not limited to high-rise towers. The 1100 Architects designed Perry World House at UPenn in Philadelphia is a smaller Tucker award winning project that was done in beige vein-cut. Another smaller award winning project is Frances-Jones Morehen Thorp’s Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki. The building was selected as the World Building of the Year 2013 at the World Architecture Festival, Thorp utilized a special selection of Dietfurt limestone grey for the exterior façade and paving as well as interior works.