THE PLUS THEATRE
Business, culture and training meet natural stone
CECI N’EST PAS UN FOSSILE
Hall 10
Curator: Giuseppe Fallacara
Stone design – The workshop of the future: an immersion in stone.
The shape of the “workshop” of the future, located within the cultural space of Pavilion 10 of the fair, is inspired by the world of lithics, specifically by the shape of fossilized shells contained within the sedimentary stone, which, when cut, reveal the characteristic logarithmic spiral shape. The spiral geometry of ammonites characterizes the planimetric form of the “workshop,” aiming to symbolically represent an “immersion” into the lithic world rich in discoveries and innovations for the future. A bridge between millions of years past and the near future.
In addition to the unique and surprising origami-shaped spatial development of the exhibition, the true protagonists of MMA2024 are the young creatives belonging to schools of Architecture, Industrial Design, Fine Arts Academies, and Engineering from various Italian and foreign universities. They are tasked with constructing the space in collaboration with companies in the stone sector and animating the pavilion throughout the fair days. In the “workshop” of the future, attendees will interactively witness and participate, engaging with the young protagonists, in various stages of the design process, from the birth of the idea to its prototypical realization through various emerging technologies present in the exhibition (CAD modellers, 3D printers, Oculus Rift, HoloLens, etc.). Divided into functional areas such as design, 3D printing, and prototypical construction, the “workshop” of the future, rich in daily events, will indicate a possible operational perspective towards which to guide the complex world of lithic design.
STONE MATTERS
Designer/s
Elias e Yousef Anastas
Academic Institution
Laboratorio GSA (Professoressa Roberta Zarcone), ENSA Paris-Malaquais, University PS
Affiliated Company
AAU ANASTAS architect
Material used
Limestone from Palestine
Stone Matters explores innovative uses of structural stone in contemporary architecture by blending traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques. Inspired by historical paradigms, it aims to reduce the building industry’s carbon footprint. At Marmomac, a model showcases a hybrid stone structure combining Gothic, stereotomy, and modern ribbed systems for enhanced architectural possibilities.
FIBER COLUMN
Designer/s
Alessandro Angione, Professor Giuseppe Fallacara
Academic Institution
Polytechnic of Bari
Affiliated Company
Petruzzelli Marmi
Material used
Glass and carbon fibers, resin, White Statuario Marble
Politecnico di Bari’s New Fundamentals Research Group explores combining textile design and stereotomy in the Fiber Column. Inspired by Munari’s Falkland lamp, the column uses fiber winding with composite materials to create strong yet lightweight structures. Featuring a marble sphere for compression, it integrates light and innovative geometries.
AETHERIUS
Designer/s
Maurizio Barberio, Micaela Colella
Academic Institution
Polytechnic of Bari
Affiliated Company
B&Y, Barberio Colella Architetti
Material used
3D printed mortar composed of naturally derived marble, stone and aggregate powders
Aetherius is a modular pavilion with fluid, organic shapes, created through extrusion 3D printing using sustainable materials like recycled marble and stone powders. It blends technology and nature, featuring large openings for natural light and integrated trees. The pavilion’s textured surface and light shade enhance its dynamic, eco-friendly design.
NURALITH
Designer/s
Italo Boccuto, Andrea Sgherza, Giuseppe Tota, Adriana Valentini, Professor Giuseppe Fallacara
Academic Institution
Polytechnic of Bari
Affiliated Company
Gioia Marmi
Material used
Stone/marble, plexiglass, solar panel
NuraLith is a solar-powered stone cladding system with 60×60 tiles that light up at night. Inspired by Arabic architecture, it features a parametric design resembling mashrabiya. The panels consist of dark marble and onyx slabs with integrated solar panels and LEDs, offering sustainable lighting and heat reduction for buildings in desert areas.
ORGANICA
Designer/s
Italo Boccuto, Andrea Sgherza, Giuseppe Tota, Adriana Valentini, Professore Giuseppe Fallacara
Academic Institution
Polytechnic of Bari
Affiliated Company
L.V.C. Stone
Material used
Black Emperador Marble, Botticino Marble, Apricena Stone
The Organica line offers modern, functional office accessories: a cell phone and pen holder, an elevated laptop stand, and an ergonomic wrist rest. Created with advanced 3D modeling and CNC cutting technology, it blends aesthetics with precision. Made from repurposed stone slabs, it embodies sustainable innovation for evolving work environments.
TANGO RISING: SPIRED QI-STONE
Designer/s
John Doria, Professor Anthony Caradonna
Academic Institution
New York Institute of Technology School of Architecture and Design
Affiliated Company
OPUS PRJX NYC, Lanzetta Francesco & Figli
Collaborators
Teresa Lanzetta, Adriana Valentini
Material used
Minervino Murge Stone, Poggiorsini Melange Marble
The Tango Rising: Spired Qi-Stone is a columnar lattice of illuminated Pietra di Minervino limestone and Rosso Poggiorsini marble. It spirals skyward, embodying Taoist life force energy (Qi). The structure’s outer helix of stone rings rises like a Solomonic column, channeling the anima akin to ancient Egyptian Ka’ statues.
GREEN WALL
Designer/s
Ilaria Cavaliere, Dario Costantino
Academic Institution
Polytechnic of Bari
Affiliated Company
D-Shape
Material used
3D printed stone powder with binder
The Green Wall is a 3D-printed stone bearing wall prototype with interlocking joints for stability and a geometric pattern creating cavities for vegetation. It can serve as green façades or underwater as artificial coral reefs. 3D printing optimizes fabrication, reducing waste compared to subtractive manufacturing.
THE STONE THAT WAS ONCE A ROCK
Designer/s
Matias Dalla Costa, Martín Veizaga, Professor Mauro Chiarella
Academic Institution
National University of Littoral (Ideation and Digital Materiality. Faculty of Architecture, Design and Urbanism. National University of Littoral)
Affiliated Company
Archimed, Màrlux Marmi
Collaborator
Francesco Ciriello
Material used
Arboris marble, plexiglass, ABS
The assemblable structural prototype for a mountain viewpoint features a Voronoi modulation, mimicking natural stone fragments. It has 45 nodes and 94 bars forming a self-supporting mesh, with the top three cells convertible into living spaces. Lightweight and easy to assemble, it innovates through computational geometry and low-cost, adaptable design.
TEKNICOMFORT
Designer/s
Stefano Chiocchini
Academic Institution
Istituto Italiano di Design
Affiliated Company
Monotile Trading, Stefano Chiocchini architect & designer
Material used
Concrete, limestone, marble
Teknicomfort by Monotile is an innovative floating floor system featuring 600×600 mm modules made from natural stone, marble, and concrete. It includes an ABS containment tank with a hydraulic cooling and heating system. The high-density, fire-resistant modules offer acoustic absorption and stability, adhering to European standards, and support green building principles through material reuse.
MINIMAL WALL
Designer/s
Francesco Ciriello, Professor Giuseppe Fallacara
Academic Institution
Polytechnic of Bari
Affiliated Company
B&Y, Tarricone Prefabbricati
Material used
Stone powder, geopolimero
Minimal Wall consists of modular Minimal Bricks, inspired by Sergio Musmeci’s research on minimal surfaces. These concrete and marble powder ashlars form intricate, repeating patterns, creating walls, columns, and vaults with an organic unity. They boast high compressive strength, supporting 1,000 times their weight, and can be produced in various sizes.
TRAME. KINETIC STONE CARPET
Designer/s
Miriam Manca, Francesco Capula, Professor Katia Gasparini
Academic Institution
University of Sassari
Affiliated Company
Oscar Sandri Scultore, Marmi Scancella, Sider Color Veneta
Material used
Orosei Marble
The Trame project by the University of Sassari team features a kinetic stone surface inspired by Sardinian craftsmanship. Using Orosei marble, it creates a wall that undulates like fabric, blending tradition and innovation. The stone “pixels” rotate to interact with light and shadow, supported by steel profiles, promoting a circular production approach.
MANDELBULB CAPITAL
Designer/s
Angelo Vito Graziano, Francesco Fieni, Professor Nicola Parisi
Academic Institution
Polytechnic of Bari
Affiliated Company
FabLab Poliba
Material used
PVA-PLA (3D printing material) / a mortar composed of recycled marble waste
This project, inspired by Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia, uses fractal geometry and modern technology to create a capital with both aesthetic and structural functions. Employing mendelbulb patterns, it ensures visual cohesion and structural stability. Digital fabrication with PVA molds and recycled marble waste exemplifies sustainable, innovative design, blending past and future seamlessly.
SIMPLEX
Designer/s
Guillaume Laurent & Nicolas Didier Niquet
Academic Institution
ARUP London
Affiliated Company
SNBR, Jakob
Collaborators
Liam Duff, Tom Clewlow, Steve McKechnie, Jean-Baptiste Theret
Material used
Carrara Marble, Lens Limestone, stainless steel ropes
Islands of Compression in a Sea of Tension, reinvents a gothic spire using a tensegrity system, merging structural and decorative elements. Collaborating with architects and masons, it explores dynamic shapes and challenges traditional archetypes. The design aims to bridge conservation and creation, echoing historical precedents in architectural innovation.
DOPPIONODO
Designer/s
Marco Massafra, Professor Giuseppe Fallacara
Academic Institution
Polytechnic of Bari
Affiliated Company
Pimar, Concr3de
Material used
Limestone powder 3D printed
The column, essential in architecture, symbolizes connection and stability, resembling a tree of life. This prototype focuses on the knotted or ophitic column, prevalent in the Romanesque period, characterized by small columns joined by a flat knot. The design represents the dual nature of Christ, it incorporates 3D modeling using recycled Lecce limestone powder.
LIBRA
Designer/s
Andrea Bertoletti, Leonardo Ceriani, Matteo Gaiga, Marco Mazzali, Simone Mercante, Professor Sotirios Papadopoulos
Academic Institution
Accademia di Belle Arti Statale di Verona
Affiliated Company
Donatoni Macchine
Material used
Lasa Marble
Libra is a modular sunblind that combines beauty and functionality, protecting buildings from overheating while creating soft, harmonious shadows. Inspired by ancient stone cairns, it uses marble to balance solidity and lightness. Libra enhances spaces with dynamic light effects, improving comfort and reducing artificial cooling needs.
PARTICLE-TRAIL 2.0
Designer/s
Professors Michael Davis, Alessandro Premier, Sarosh Mulla
Academic Institution
The University of Auckland, Future Cities Research Centre
Fabrication
ETH Zurich – Digital Building Technologies (DBT)
Collaborators
Davis Wu (UoA), Pietro Odaglia (ETH Zurich – DBT), Magda Posani (ETH Zurich – Sustainable Construction)
Material used
Recycled white marble aggregates (Lasa Marmo), geopolymer binder (ETH Zurich)
Particle-Trail 2.0 builds on research into human bone structure to create scalable, modular elements for furniture and architecture. Using waste from stone fabrication and Binder Jetting Technology, it forms indoor partitions and architectural components. This approach enhances material efficiency, promotes upcycling, and reduces carbon emissions by up to 70%.
DYNAMIC TORSIONS
Designer/s
Massimo Russo
Academic Institution
Polytechnic of Bari
Affiliated Company
Helios Automazioni and Luxstone – Italian Marble Manufacture
Material used
Carrara Marble
Dynamic Torsions explores a potential column design inspired by ancient twisted columns. Combining modern technology and traditional craftsmanship, it features a twisted stone element with fine lines creating a dynamic bas-relief. This project bridges ancient and contemporary techniques, encouraging reflection on past values while generating new forms and aesthetics.
LUXONYX
Designer/s
Andrea Sgherza, Professor Giuseppe Fallacara
Academic Institution
Polytechnic of Bari
Fabrication
Stoneform
Material used
Onyx
LuxOnyx is a luxury modular lighting system made of curved onyx tubes and metal connectors. Inspired by geometric tessellation, it forms intricate, repeatable designs. Configurable as lamps or chandeliers, it combines LED lighting with onyx’s natural translucency, creating a meditative atmosphere. LuxOnyx merges premium materials with meticulous craftsmanship.
STONELIX
Designer/s
Fabio Tellia
Professional Institution
Foster + Partners (Associate)*
Affiliated Company
MISS Marmi
Collaborators
Teresa Lanzetta, Adriana Valentini
Material used
Carrara Marble, 3D printing with PLA mixed with marble powder
Stonelix is a cylindrical object composed of a CNC-carved stone screw and a 3D-printed helix from stone powder. These coaxial parts fasten and unfasten like nuts and bolts. Combining additive and subtractive manufacturing, it explores a friction-based dry jointing system inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, symbolizing a cycle of material transformation.
*The project Stonelix is a Fabio Tellia’s personal project and it is not linked to Foster + Partners projects.
STEREOTOMIC MARBLE SLAB
Designer/s
Professor Pedro de Azambuja Varela
Academic Institution
University of Porto
Affiliated Company
SOLUBEMA+ETMA
Fabrication
ETMA, DFL – Digital Fabrication Laboratory
Collaborators
Nuno Costa, António Janota
Material used
Vigária Marble, steel rods
Facing today’s energetic and environmental challenges, the proposal of structural stone slabs offers an alternative to reinforced concrete. Inspired by stereotomy, this prototype uses space-filling shapes and fast-cutting procedures. Incorporating a post-tension system for anti-seismic properties, it merges historical knowledge with modern technology for durable and aesthetic vaulted ceilings.
This work is supported by national funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., under the project UIDB/00145/2020.
LITHIC MIRAGE
Designer/s
Professor Dustin White
Academic Institution
Florida Atlantic University (FAU) School of Architecture
Affiliated Company
Concr3de, Pimar
Material used
Limestone
Lithic Mirage is a 3D-printed column that uses illusionary effects to evoke a mirage, blurring the lines between reality and illusion. Utilizing generative AI and upcycled limestone powder, it mimics natural stone, challenging perceptions of traditional sculpture and encouraging viewers to explore the boundaries between tangible and intangible.
GALA
Designer/s
Francesco Ciriello, Angelo Vito Graziano
Academic Institution
Polytechnic of Bari
Affiliated Company
B&Y
Material used
Carrara White Marble, white cement and marble powder
Gala is a stool from startup B&Y and the Polytechnic of Bari, using digital manufacturing and marble waste. Its hyperboloid base, made with 3D-printed white cement and marble powder, supports a Carrara marble seat. The modular design combines modern and traditional techniques, creating a functional, sculptural piece.
