Beyond ornamentation
Marble as a material in contemporary surface design through the Bauhaus paradigm
Abstract
This article offers a critical reinterpretation of marble in contemporary surface design through the lens of the Bauhaus’s material culture. Moving beyond the traditional interpretation of marble as an ornamental material or a symbol of monumentality, the article analyses how contemporary technological transformations have redefined its role in design. The text highlights how marble can now be interpreted as a designed material, capable of actively participating in the perceptual and multisensory construction of space. The analysis explores the relationship between material culture, digital fabrication and surface design, highlighting the contribution of CNC technologies, modularisation and three-dimensional surfaces in redefining stone as an active and performative surface. Within this framework, the Bauhaus principles of integration between material, technique and form are reinterpreted as critical tools for understanding the contemporary nature of marble beyond its decorative dimension. Through theoretical references and case studies, the article demonstrates how marble can be considered a dynamic design medium, capable of combining material memory, technological innovation and experiential design.
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