It is summer in the northern hemisphere, and our instinct leads us towards outdoor spaces and the opportunity to fully enjoy the surrounding nature.
During this season, the use of outdoor spaces becomes particularly enticing as it offers us the chance to bask in the sun, breathe in the fresh air, and spend time with friends and family. In this context, we explore some inspiring projects that demonstrate how natural stone can transform and enhance outdoor environments, creating beautiful, functional, and welcoming places. Some companies from the Marmomac community have made the most of the versatile characteristics and timeless beauty of natural stone to create projects that combine aesthetics and functionality. Through the exploration of these proposals, we will discover how natural stone fits perfectly in outdoor spaces, offering innovative solutions and creating a perfect blend of nature and design.
The projects we will explore showcase the extraordinary versatility of natural stone in outdoor settings, both for facades and pools, as well as for furniture elements. Each project skillfully combines the timeless aesthetics of natural stone with functionality and the beauty of design.
The first project takes us into the universe of Giansanti Srl in collaboration with jewelry designer Bernard Delettrez. This collection is a true masterpiece that combines precious inserts with the elegance of “Navona” Roman Travertine. These are unique and numbered objects that add a touch of exclusivity and sophistication to outdoor environments.
From a brilliant intuition of Rosy Bernardini, the Administrator of the company, to improve the value of the precious Roman Travertine stone known as Navona, which has been utilized and celebrated by renowned sculptors and architects in the creation of works visible worldwide, a collaboration was born with jewelry designer Bernard Delettrez to produce a series of design objects with unique characteristics. The stone merges with precious inserts, making them one-of-a-kind objects, with the exclusivity of being numbered, designed to furnish various interior environments.
In the second project, Moca Stone and Portugal Marble present us with the meditation chair made with the evocative Ruivina Dark Marble from Portugal. This chair not only offers comfort and flexibility during the practice of meditation but also stands out for its connection with nature. The stone pieces on the surface adapt to the shape and weight of the meditator, offering a unique self-awareness experience.
“ Yoltic Seat ”, by Ruivina Dark Marble
A meditation chair made out of Natural Portuguese Marble Stone: an unlikely material for an activity that requires comfort, adaptation and flexibility. Yet, it is from this unlikeliness that the piece derives its character. Equipped with a keyboard-like movable installation of individual stone pieces on the surface where one is meant to sit, this chair adapts to the shape, position and weight of the meditator, allowing for an experience that is not only appropriate for mediation, but conducive to a communion with a natural material that is not often associated with this type of practice, a beautiful, highly sustainable, and resilient material, produced by one of the leading brands in World Stone Sector, Moca Stone S.A. with them own residents artisans.
Moca Stone S.A. make the dream come true with Rojkind Arquitectos that designed an object to help create Self-Awareness. An immersive object designed to help connect with our inner- self while having the correct position that supports the body for a straight elongated spine. Several small pieces of portuguese marble sitting on memory foam were designed with a precise geometrical distribution to move according to each body type and create the best ergonomic position. Giving more oxygen to the brain allows better relaxation as well as the ability to sit comfortably for longer periods of time.
Yoltic in Nahuatl (a Mexican native language) means ‘the one who lives’. A way to restore and regenerate the balance the world needs, starts with each and every one of us. It starts from within. The daily practice of being aware of that fragility. We have a responsibility as humans, in our lifetime, to be as conscious as we can and be in harmony with our surroundings. We start this with selfawareness which is the base for collective consciousness. Moca Stone S.A. produced this amazing piece of design in a close collaboration with the architect. Michel Rojkind, bringing together the high tech manufacturing, with the vision and inspiration of the designer and the craftsmanship developed overtime by generations of local stonemasons.
BRIEF INFORMATION ON THE DESIGNER
Michael Rojkind is a renowned architect and entrepreneur known for his innovative and contemporary designs. With a strong focus on social consciousness and sustainability, he founded Rojkind Arquitectos in Mexico City in 2002. Rojkind’s projects have received international acclaim, and he has been recognized with numerous awards. Beyond architecture, he collaborates with artists and filmmakers to explore new creative possibilities. Rojkind’s dedication to sustainable design and visionary approach continue to shape the future of architecture globally.
Designer: Michel Rojkind
Dimensions: 760 x 600 x 240 mm Approximated Weight 160 kg
Stone: Ruivina Dark Marble
Finishing: Honed + Brushed
Stone Supplier: Moca Stone S.A.
Production: Moca Stone S.A.
The third project takes us into the world of Sezgin, a master of minimalist design, who transformed a garden in a private villa using the versatile Aqua Green marble. This marble, available in both cross-cut and vein-cut styles, gives a charming beauty to the villa’s outdoor area, blurring the boundaries between nature and refined design.
The images are introducing the sober outdoor and leisure pool garden area of a private villa. The idea was to use natural stone extensively in a relatively small area, while maintaining a minimalistic aspect of the design. This has been realised thanks to the versatility of a marble product from our colorful range called Aqua Green.
The versality of the Aqua Green consists in how different yet matching it looks when either in cross cut or vein cut. Aqua Green also is used in different finishes depending on the area of the use, transforming the space into a mesmerizing sanctuary, combining the tranquility of nature with the allure of sophisticated design.
In the fourth project, TAB Surfaces presents Tabotel, a commercial project that celebrates the beauty of nature and the durability of materials. The hotel’s facade harmonizes perfectly with the lush greenery that surrounds, thanks to the use of a variety of natural stones sourced from TAB quarries. Each stone, such as Viscon White or Salone, adds a touch of elegance and uniqueness to the hotel.
Inspirational description of the project and products:
In the heart of our 50-acre campus, where the hustle and bustle of a factory’s daily operations ensue, we recognized the need for respite from the tedious commute and the desire for an ‘oasis’ in the middle of blocks, slabs and machines. Thus, the vision for TABotel was born—an oasis of tranquility amidst the daily work chaos. Picture a scene where trees envelop the surroundings, and the air is filled with the soothing symphony of birdsong and rustling leaves. Here, we imagined a building that not only pays homage to the raw beauty of nature but also showcases the elegance of materials that have stood the test of time. With meticulous attention to detail, we embarked on a mission to create a haven where nature and architecture coexist harmoniously. As you step foot into TAB’s Guest House, you will find yourself embraced by a seamless fusion of natural elements and contemporary design. The building’s exterior harmonizes with the lush greenery that surrounds it, blurring the boundaries between the man-made and the organic. Every corner of this architectural feat invites you to immerse yourself in the serenity of nature. TAB’s Guest House, nicknamed TABotel, is not just a place to rest, it’s a testament to the power of sustainable design, reminding us that amidst the rapid urbanization, we can create spaces that honor and nurture the natural world.
Technical Description of the project:
TABotel is a commercial project that showcases a unique and architectural display of various materials, some of which were sourced from TAB Quarries. The aim of the project was to create a unique and architecturally impressive guest house by utilizing a variety of high-quality materials in different areas. It incorporates a range of natural stones, including Viscon White, Salone, Blue Fantasy, San Simone, Barcelona Quartzite, Monterra, Blue Mare, White Macaubas, Infiniti and Taj Mahal Quartzite. These materials were selected for their aesthetic appeal, durability, and ability to create distinct design elements throughout the guest house.
Material Selection and Applications:
- For the interior of the pool, the material chosen was Viscon White from TAB Quarry. This specific material was selected due to its durability, lack of oxidation, and exceptional waves of movement. The choice feels especially fitting as seen through the water sparkling in the sun achieving a 3D effect.
- To create a striking exterior curtain wall for the guest house, Salone from TAB Quarry was utilized. The pristine white background of Salone allowed TAB to display the material in a distinctive and eye-catching manner, emphasizing its beauty as an architectural material.
- Blue Fantasy from TAB Quarry, which has been popularized by TAB for years, was chosen to create a stunning 2-story floor in three different finishes. This material’s swirling pattern adds a sense of dynamic energy to the floor, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the space.
- In one of the bathrooms, San Simone from TAB Quarry was selected to be showcased in a single color for display purposes. By using this material, the bathroom achieves a cohesive and elegant look. Another bathroom within the guest house features Monterra Marble from TAB Quarry and another highlights Taj Mahal Quartzite. Both colors are used as a single color in each bathroom for shower, floor and countertop demonstration purposes. These materials were chosen for their distinct characteristics, bringing sophistication, luxury and elegance to the bathroom space.
- The pool-surround area is adorned with Blue Mare Quartzite, selected to evoke the colors of the ocean and the beach. Cut into large octagonal tiles, the color palette of this material creates a serene and tranquil ambiance allowing guests to enjoy a relaxing atmosphere.
- White Macaubas Quartzite was used for the flooring on the main level of the guest house uniting kitchen, dining and living room spaces. This material’s clean white color provides a timeless yet modern aesthetic and enhances the overall brightness of the space.
- Lastly, the kitchen area of the guest house is decked out in Infiniti Quartzite satin finish, a durable material known for its strength and resilience. This choice ensures that the kitchen can withstand the demands of daily use while maintaining its new age aesthetic appeal.
By incorporating these various materials sourced in India and Brazil, TABotel in Hosur achieves a visually stunning and architecturally distinctive design. Each material serves a specific purpose, whether it’s creating movement in the pool, displaying the pure white aesthetics of the exterior wall, or enhancing the functionality and aesthetics of different rooms throughout the guest house. The project exemplifies the versatility and beauty of natural stones from TAB Quarries while providing a memorable and visually appealing experience for the guests.
Notes on the designer:
This architectural achievement stands as a testament to our internal design expertise. It was crafted by us, for us, and for our clients to enjoy.
Finally, Yelmini offers us their excellence in outdoor flooring with Bleu de Savoie® marble. These marble tiles, characterized by a wide range of gray tones, not only provide unparalleled beauty but also a non-slip surface to ensure safety in outdoor spaces such as walkways, patios, and pool areas.
YELMINI, french marble company, offers beautiful Bleu de Savoie® tiles that are ideal for pool coping and surrounds ! Bleu de Savoie® marble is a unique marble with shades varying from light grey to dark grey. Their waterjet finish offers a non-slip surface that will both provide peace of mind for safety and be an eye catching finishing touch to your outdoor design. Bleu de Savoie® marble pool coping is a great way to surround your pool in beauty! This crystalline marble, coming from a unique quarry in the Savoy Alps of Eastern France, is owned and sourced exclusively by YELMINI. With its slip-resistant surface, natural beauty, and long-lasting durability, the Bleu de Savoie® marble pool coping offers an excellent choice. The name of Bleu de Savoie® and Blue Savoy® are name registered worldwide. EHL, the top-ranked hospitality school worldwide in Lausanne has trusted YELMINI and its Bleu de Savoie® marble as the marble supplier in order to bring their new campus to life. Covering around 9 000 sqm in 2022 the Bleu de Savoie® marble was chosen for this ambitious project because of its durability, natural beauty and non slip surface. Extracted exclusively in the French Alps by YELMINI, the Bleu de Savoie® marble will offer character, intensity and elegance whether for architectural, interior or exterior design projects. Blue de Savoie® is a crystalline marble, with a unique colour shade and movement from bluish grey to dark grey. Bleu de Savoie® marble pavers are naturally slip-resistant, making it the perfect choice for a beautiful pathway!
YELMINI invites you to visit their website and Facebook pages, to find out more about their company and learn more about their french materials:
www.yelmini.com
www.facebook.com/marbrerieyelmini
www.facebook.com/bleudesavoie
Elegant and timeless, Bleu de Savoie® marble pavers are ideal for outdoor spaces such as the patio, outdoor path or pool area, the Bleu de Savoie® has low porosity and high density which allow to be suitable for outside applications. Bleu de Savoie® is a beautiful natural marble that is ideal for all architectural styles, from classical to contemporary, withstanding the test of time. Extracted in Aime (French Alps) and manufactured in the French Jura region, this material is unique and unsurpassed in terms of colour shades from light grey to dark grey; offering the possibility of adding a personalized touch to every part of your place according to your preferences, needs and demands. In addition, there are numerous finishes which are suitable for uses in bathrooms, countertops, interior and exterior flooring (paving). Several projects were done worldwide for inside and outside flooring and cladding in hot climate as very severe cold climate. Many finishes available are : polished, honed, brushed and waterjet. Each finish provides a distinct and unique appearance and can be adapted to any specific requirements, such as non-slip finish. This marble from the French Savoy region follows the trends by keeping its distinguished and elegant character. Bleu de Savoie® is a crystalline marble which gives it a translucent appearance.
For more information, including pricing, available formats, finishes and sampling please contact us at commerciale@yelmini.com.
MEDITERRANEAN STONE srl is our partner/collaborator in Italy, located at via provinciale, 127 – Vallecchia, Pietrasanta (LU) 55045 ITALY. You can contact them directly for any inquiries in Bleu de Savoie® at + 39 0584 283186 or alessandro@medstone.it.
