STONE GATE

In search of the perfect circle. The ancient architectural figure of the arch consisting of massive stone elements laid dry, inherited from the Roman Empire, is doubled for the very first time to form a circle. Stone Gate is the project designed by Raffaello Galiotto and presented by Lithos Design for the first time at the ’100% Gravity’ exhibition in Verona, for which designers and manufacturers were asked to experiment on the field of natural stone gravity: the circle is amazingly made of dry-laid hewn stones, each one weighing 5 quintals, bound together in a self-supporting structure thanks to the state of compression given by the post-tensioning of the steel cables circling it and embedded in it. A challenge that balances between mass, weight and gravity, entailing an articulated and complex design as well as an in-depth engineering study to guarantee the statics and safety of the structure. Stone Gate is 3,80 m high, 1,20 m deep and has a total weight of 27.300 kg. During the exhibition, the visitors' reaction were astonishing: Stone Gate was striking because the public could really experience it, as one can cross it, walk on it, stop by it. One can live it, try it out, listen to one own’s voice amplified within its diameter. Stone Gate is a magnetic circle that raises the primitive human instinct before huge-sized works, that is, the impulse to measure oneself, to feel hopelessly small. Stone Gate often induces visitors to instinctively stretch their arms wide open, as if to measure themselves against the majesty of this object. And they become sort of Vitruvian Men, comparing human proportions, so perfect according to the will of Nature, with the perfect proportions of this large stone circle, as the circle is the archetypal symbol of the most perfect formal harmony. The cooperation with Staminal Stone, the Tuscan Company providing the Bardiglio Nuvolato marble to realize this work, was vital to the output of the project. A great synergy was found between the two Companies, which looked for and discovered each other thanks to their similar spirit, to a common creative need pushing them both to delve into the hidden expressive potential of stone, and to explore his strong nature and identity. Stone Gate is an all-Italian initiative, from conception to design planning, throughout every step of the production process. Concept & Design: Raffaello Galiotto Engineering: Alessandro Serafini Partner: Staminal Stone