Kivilohkot

Kivilohkot, Finnish for stone blocks, are rectangular units used as construction elements in masonry. They can be carved from natural stone or manufactured from concrete or cementitious composites designed to resemble stone. Stone blocks are used for load-bearing walls, foundations, retaining walls and decorative facades, as well as for landscape features and architectural detailing.

Natural stone blocks are quarried from bedrock; common stone types include granite, limestone, sandstone and basalt, though regional stone varieties dominate local construction. Blocks are classified by physical properties such as density, compressive strength and porosity, and by their surface finish, which can be sawn, split, or dressed. Manufactured stone blocks may be concrete blocks with a stone appearance or composite blocks that combine aggregates with cementitious binders.

Processing involves extraction, blocking, cutting to standard sizes, and finishing. Units are laid with mortar for structural walls or used in dry-stacking applications in some traditions. The choice of block size, strength class and joint type influences stability, thermal performance and weather resistance. For seismic regions, block walls require appropriate reinforcement and detailing.

Advantages include high durability, fire resistance and a natural aesthetic. Limitations include weight, cost, dependence on quality of quarry materials and potential for weathering or decay in certain stone types. Environmental considerations cover quarry impact, transportation emissions and the benefits of long service life and reuse.

Historically, stone blocks have been a fundamental building material across many cultures, from ancient monuments to contemporary architecture. In modern construction they remain common for load-bearing masonry and for architectural expression.