Rough
Curated by Fabio Novembre
Designer: Fabio Novembre
Company: Campolonghi
Recovery and enhancement are the guiding principles behind Fabio Novembre’s project for White Carrara Edition 2026.
The design centres on a bench created by combining unused offcuts of marble slabs of different shapes, thicknesses and colours. Bonded together to form a single compact, layered and geological volume, the material is then sculpted into soft, ergonomic lines.
Rather than concealing its origins, the project openly celebrates them, transforming production offcuts and by-products into the defining feature of an object made from one of the world’s most noble and enduring materials: marble.
The contrast between the smooth, finely finished seating surface and the remaining raw areas becomes a powerful formal statement. On one side lies function and comfort; on the other, the material expressed in its most authentic form. The varied veining of the marble is revealed across both the polished and rough surfaces, creating a decorative effect that enhances the intrinsic beauty and character of the stone.
Production process
Recovered marble slabs are assembled and bonded together to create a single solid block suitable for CNC milling. Only one face of the block is machined to produce the ergonomic seating profile, following the designer’s specifications, while all the remaining surfaces are intentionally left in their raw state.
Finally, two through-holes, each with a diameter of 10 cm, are drilled in the designated positions to facilitate handling and transportation.
The work
The Creator
Fabio Novembre
Architect and designer
Biography
Under the direction of Fabio Novembre, the studio has been working in the fields of architecture and interior design for over 30 years. Its portfolio includes projects for major private institutions, hotels, retail environments and residential developments, created for internationally renowned brands including MediaMarkt, AC Milan, Stuart Weitzman, UNA Hotels and Generali.
At the heart of the studio's philosophy is the belief that architecture is a medium for telling three-dimensional stories in which people become the protagonists.
Driven by Fabio Novembre's visionary approach and his highly recognisable design language, the studio's projects have been widely published and exhibited internationally.
The company involved
Technique, Strength, Passion. Craftsmanship combines with cutting-edge technology, while the tradition and expertise of a region shaped by centuries of marble culture are transformed into a dynamic organisation capable of competing in—and leading—the international market.
This is the essence of the Campolonghi Group, a global leader in high-quality natural stone products, with buildings and architectural projects featuring its materials across the world.
Headquartered in Montignoso, Tuscany, the Group has three additional locations in Italy and an office in the United Kingdom. It also owns two quarries, La Facciata and Sponda, both located in the Torano basin, where highly prized Carrara white marble is extracted.
Campolonghi is one of the most important suppliers of marble and natural stone across the European market and partners with leading architectural design and development firms worldwide.