GEMEG Showroom CARRARA | Victor Vasilev

The project involves the redevelopment of an existing industrial building and its transformation into a space where valuable Carrara marble slabs can be presented at their best. 

The starting point is a prefabricated concrete building of about 1400sqm, which has the advantage of being located at the entrance of the city famous all over the world for the white treasure of its mountains. 

The clients, one of the leading companies in the extraction and marketing of this material, had clear ideas from the beginning: to create the best 'frame' to exhibit and enhance this 'work of art' created by nature.

The key elements, which make up the project, are few: geometric and material rigor, neutral colors that enhance the white Carrara marble, adequate lighting and refined details, which help make the shed look more like an art gallery.

The entrance to the building is highlighted by a suspended Alucobond parallelepiped above the access ramp and is at the center of a composition of pure volumes, which characterize the external appearance of the building. Most of the surfaces are covered in cementitious resin, emphasizing the intention to create continuity between the interior and exterior. This choice is made even more evident by the 'disappearance' of the recessed profiles of the large windows on the street side.

A scenic staircase connects the two floors designated for commercial offices, which is located in the center of a double-height space. The parapet is a single black iron sheet which performs a load-bearing function and at the same time is a visually striking element serving as reference for visitors. The same material is also used for the suspended walkway, which connects the workspaces on the first floor, thus making it the best place to observe all the exposed slabs from above.

 Most of the furnishings were made to measure, while the lighting is incorporated into the architecture. Some design 'icons' complete the set.

Carrara marble was used sparingly: in the reception, on the staircase landing and in the customer bathroom. These few elements enhance its aesthetic and functional qualities.