The first event, Cersaie, is held in Bologna and it’s regarded as the world’s leading exhibition for ceramic tiles and bathrooms. The second event, Marmomac, is hosted in Verona. It’s described as the “most important world fair dedicated to the entire stone production chain”. Fittingly, Verona’s one of the main locations for stone extraction and processing, and the exhibition brings together everyone involved in it. Both are held during the same week in late September and the insight that can be gained is invaluable.
Takeaways from Cersaie
Fabulous pizza and pasta, obviously! But, that aside, my main interest here was porcelain and, for me, the Italian manufacturers are at the forefront in innovation. As in previous years, there were some great examples of hyper-realistic renditions of natural materials, combining traditional craftmanship whilst pushing the boundaries of technology.
Along with some stunning natural-effects, geometric tiles were prominent, especially Art Deco patterns. I also saw lots of examples of ‘porcelain slabs’, with countertops and cooktops, facades and even furniture drawing the crowds.
Embracing nature at Marmomac
Becoming the more popular choice for many, stone seems to be on everyone’s radar. Designers and architects have always leaned into natural products but there seems to be a new appreciation that it is, simply, the ‘real McCoy’.
There was a lot of discussion around embracing stone’s inherent imperfections and, if anything, making a feature of them, rather than looking to source the cleanest material. This makes sense in terms of sustainability.
In turn, although large format stone is still really popular, there’s growing awareness of wastage, not only during the selection and quarrying process, but also the breakages that can occur during the transportation of large slabs. The production of smaller formats and mosaics can maximise the use of the raw materials and cut down on wastage, and there’s a real move in this direction.
I also spotted lots of geometric patterns here too. There were an abundance of artistic installations and exhibitions, showcasing a blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology, in chevrons, herringbones, hexagons and mosaics. Once again, these highlighted a more conservative use of the raw material, with many mixing clean and more rustic grades of stone.
There’s always something a bit different at Marmomac and, for me, it was ‘Ruderal Calligraphies’ – a bio-receptive façade prototype presented by London-based architect, Maetherea. It showed a façade designed with carved, porous and water-catching surfaces that encourage the spontaneous growth of vegetation. This turns the stone into a living interface. It certainly stopped me in my tracks. What a fabulous concept!
I brought back lots of ideas and inspiration, as I always do from these shows. It’s a fabulous opportunity to learn, discover and share, and one that, post-pandemic, we all appreciate that little bit more.
