Material Study: Stone

The facade is made from sand-casted concrete panels, each formed directly in the ground. Although not made of stone, the process imitates how stone forms and erodes, creating a surface that looks and feels geological. The result is concrete used to mimic the natural character and texture of stone.

At the east entrance of the museum in Xi’an, Neri&Hu created a layered composition of concrete, glass, and stone. The upper “Monument” is clad in red travertine blocks arranged to filter light through their gaps, giving the structure both solidity and openness. The stone’s weight and color link the new addition to the city’s historical architecture while being a contemporary landmark.

Built within a former sand quarry in Brescia, Stones Venue is a public shelter supported by ten stone pillars, each made from a different local variety. The structure celebrates stone, using discarded stone blocks donated by quarries. Together, the pillars form both a gathering space and a monument to the area’s long tradition of stone craftsmanship.

Built entirely from the stones of a demolished boundary wall. The reused stones are mixed with limestone, cement, and recycled glass particles to create thick load-bearing walls that serve as both structure and enclosure. The house becomes a continuous stone wall that still keeps the original materiality and character of the site.

The façades combine local stone with wood-framed windows in a regular grid, creating a balanced rhythm of solid and void. The stone, sourced from nearby quarries, connects the new campus to the region’s architectural heritage while giving the building a durable, grounded presence within its natural setting.