THE BEDROCK

Marmomac 2026 marks the beginning of a new phase in its cultural journey with THE BEDROCK – Leading the Future of Natural Stone, the new format of the Exhibition and Experimentation Pavilion, conceived to redefine the role of natural stone in the contemporary dialogue between architecture, design, research and innovation.

On the occasion of the event’s 60th edition, the Exhibition Pavilion evolves into an international hub for research and exchange, bringing together architects, designers, universities, industry professionals and cultural institutions. A project in which stone goes beyond its traditional construction role to become a design language, a cultural infrastructure and a tool for interpreting the present.

The name THE BEDROCK refers to the underlying bedrock, the geological foundation from which everything originates. A metaphor that presents stone as an original material, at the heart of an architectural vision rooted in light, monumentality and the relationship between space and matter.

The tagline “Leading the Future of Natural Stone” captures this evolution: not simply preserving a legacy, but transforming it into a vision for the future. A clear and international positioning that strengthens Marmomac’s role as a leading observatory on the new frontiers of stone culture, bringing together design research, industrial innovation and the contemporary transformation of materials.

Designed by architect Giorgio Canale, Creative Director of communication agency DDM BRANDING, THE BEDROCK introduces a new narrative identity for Marmomac. The project develops an architectural vision that engages conceptually with the work and thinking of two major figures of the 20th century, Louis Kahn and Carlo Scarpa. A special tribute to Scarpa will be presented in 2026, marking 120 years since his birth.

For 2026, THE BEDROCK brings together an internationally renowned curatorial team comprising Joseph Grima, Davide Fabio Colaci, Giuseppe Fallacara and Raffaello Galiotto. Leading figures from the worlds of architecture, research, design and criticism, they have been invited to develop a multidisciplinary reflection on the future of stone as a material.

The new format unfolds through exhibitions, installations and experimental projects exploring key themes in contemporary architecture, creating a meeting point between design culture, innovation and industry while offering new perspectives on the role of natural stone in the future of architecture and design.