Beyond material: Marmomac at 60

Over the decades, the exhibition has grown far beyond its origins in Verona’s historic stone district. What was once primarily a trade fair for marble and machinery has become an international observatory where production, research and design intersect, reflecting the changing role of stone within contemporary architecture. Today, the fair brings together the entire supply chain – from quarrying and processing technologies to finished surfaces and architectural applications – while fostering a broader conversation on material culture and innovation.

This perspective is embodied in THE BEDROCK – Leading the Future of Natural Stone, the renewed cultural programme occupying Hall 10. Rather than presenting stone simply as a construction material, the exhibition investigates its potential through multiple lenses, inviting visitors to consider its relevance in an age of digital fabrication, environmental awareness and evolving design languages. Alongside long-standing contributors Raffaello Galiotto and Giuseppe Fallacara, the 2026 edition welcomes architect and curator Joseph Grima and designer Davide Fabio Colaci, whose curatorial approaches introduce fresh perspectives on the relationship between craftsmanship, technology and architecture.

The dialogue continues beyond the exhibition halls through Marmomac & The City, developed in collaboration with White Carrara. A series of installations by Ross Lovegrove, Antonio Aricò and Claudio Nardi will transform Verona’s historic centre into an open-air exhibition, demonstrating how natural stone continues to shape public space while responding to contemporary urban life. Looking ahead also means rethinking production. Alongside the long-established Best Communicator Award, this anniversary edition introduces the International Sustainable Excellence Award, recognising innovations that improve environmental performance and encourage more responsible manufacturing processes across the stone industry.

Knowledge sharing remains another defining aspect of the event. Through Marmomac Academy, designers, architects, researchers and companies come together to discuss emerging technologies, fabrication techniques and sustainable approaches, reinforcing the exhibition’s role as a platform for professional exchange as much as commercial opportunity. Opening the programme will be architect Carlo Ratti, whose keynote lecture on technology, cities and architecture offers an appropriate starting point for an edition that positions natural stone not as a legacy material, but as an active participant in shaping the future of the built environment.