Explores the special role of this material in a timely reassessment of the ideas which underpin today's renaissance of stone architecture. The introduction uncovers the expressive possibilities of stone, describes the new technologies which make the new forms possible and offers an interpretation based on the author's technical and theoretical understanding of material themes. This is followed by thirty-three case studies from around the world. Architects featured include Michael Hopkins, Kengo Kuma, and Renzo Piano.