STONE NEXT: THE EXHIBITION PLATFORM THAT REDEFINES THE PRESENT OF NATURAL STONE
THE PLUS THEATRE | 23–26 September
At the 59th edition of Marmomac, at Veronafiere from 23 to 26 September, the Stone Next exhibition curated by Giorgio Canale unfolds as an immersive journey that anticipates the future evolutions of natural stone, reaffirming it as a central material in the future of design, architecture, and contemporary lifestyle.
STONE NEXT, the exhibition platform within The Plus Theatre, conceived as a space of experimentation and dialogue between future visions and traditions of natural stone, in this edition redefines the present through a selection of projects interweaving research, design, and experimentation, in a narrative devised by Giorgio Canale, curator of the entire Hall 10.
From large-scale 3D printing developed with 80% recycled stone by ETH Zurich, to Julia Schwarz’s project combining vegetal components and stone architecture. From the centuries-old craftsmanship of the Brač school of masters, founded in 1909, to innovation that merges marble waste with textiles for fashion, all the way to the research project “Laboratorio” curated by the University of Pisa (Degree Course in Engineering for Industrial Design), the Associazione Le Donne del Marmo and La Casa di Pietra.
STONE NEXT thus emerges as an immersive Marmomac journey, weaving together processes, materials, and ideas to anticipate the future evolutions of natural stone, confirming it as a versatile, multifaceted, and central material in the future of design, architecture, and contemporary lifestyle.
NEW PERSPECTIVES FOR LOW-CARBON CIRCULAR ARCHITECTURE
Stone 3D Printing – ETH Zurich – curated by Pietro Odaglia and Francesco Ranaudo
The project results from an approach integrating digital design, structural engineering, and technological experimentation, opening new possibilities for low-carbon circular architecture. The joint work of Pietro Odaglia—PhD at the Chair of Digital Building Technologies at ETH Zurich—and Francesco Ranaudo—CEO of VAULTED AG, an ETH spinoff specialised in low-carbon and fully circular flooring—Stone 3D Printing is an innovative system for producing full-scale architectural components directly from the printer. Made with 80% recycled stone and a low-impact binder, it combines material circularity with digital precision. On display, a rib-stiffened funicular floor printed in two units, for a total of 8 m², installed at different heights: from furniture to structural element.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN’S RETURN TO NATURE
Symbiosis The Origin of Forms: Lichen & Stones – a project by Julia Schwarz
The versatility of Pannonia stone becomes the setting for 3D experimentation mimicking the aesthetics of lichens in a dialogue between architecture and the environment. Lichens, traditionally perceived as symbols of decay or neglect of urban or sculptural structures, take on—thanks to Julia Schwarz’s project—a central role, overturning the very concept of beauty. The project’s structures, designed to host the natural growth of lichens, true bioindicators of clean air, thus become a celebration of the integration between architecture and nature, elevating its aesthetic perception.
HUMAN SKILL AND CONTEMPORARY TECHNIQUE
Klesarska Škola Pučišća – Stonemasonry School of Brač (Croatia)
Through the centuries-old tradition of the historic Klesarska Škola on the Croatian island of Brač, an actual live performance by teachers and top students will narrate “the millenary art of the hand,” carving live with tools from the stone tradition of ancient Rome. Scheduled daily, live demonstrations will convey the strength and poetry of manual skill, between technique and tradition.
ENGINEERED OBJECTS FOR HOME DESIGN
Laboratorio – A project by the University of Pisa (Degree Course in Engineering for Industrial Design), Associazione Nazionale Le Donne del Marmo, and La Casa di Pietra
The collaboration between the Associazione Donne del Marmo and the Degree Course in Engineering for Industrial Design at the University of Pisa has generated 12 spinoff collections from La Casa di Pietra’s catalogue, a Tuscan brand specialised in producing and designing objects in natural stone and other materials, capable of uniting craftsmanship and technological innovation. Students experimented with their engineering skills to conceive and create marble objects for home design. Candelabras, centrepieces, vases, and other household items for tomorrow were created by emphasising the contrast between natural and synthetic materials, while also testing the full potential of treatments that technology today makes available to marble processing. The Associazione Donne del Marmo provided technical expertise, materials, and both artisanal and digital artistry to realise the products on display.
SUSTAINABILITY AND INNOVATION BEYOND INDUSTRY BORDERS
Marmomac’s shop-in-shop becomes an additional showcase of how natural stone can inspire fields seemingly distant from the traditional sector. Inside an immersive space, visitors can choose among the new fragrances of I Profumi del Marmo, the Made in Italy accessories by Pennata, and the innovative textile patent by Fili Pari. This Milanese tech start-up has been exploring for years the potential of natural stone and its supply-chain waste. This approach gave rise to MARMMORE®, a technical, innovative fabric made with marble powder, resistant to water, wind, and abrasions—likely the first fully circular and sustainable solution for producing high-performance textiles.
Marmomac 2025 | 23–26 September | Veronafiere | Hall 10 – The Plus Theatre
www.marmomac.com