Marble Architecture Awards 2008

   Architects from Mexico took three of the five prizes awarded for 2008 in the natural-stone competition organized by the Internazionale Marmi e Macchine Carrara (IMM) in conjunction with the CarraraMarmotec event set for late May in Carrara.
   This year’s awards jury evaluated more than 60 projects from Australia, Central America, South America and southern Africa. The competition annually rotates between five different parts of the globe, plus one year for projects exclusively from Italy.
   The six-year-long cycle allows for a good look at the developments and trends underway in the world of architecture and the use of natural stone in the three different categories: exteriors, interiors and urban landscape. Entries are judged on “uses and solutions showing absolute excellence” in natural stone, according to the IMM.
   The 2008 jury agreed that the use of natural stone in projects conveys prestige and that white marble adds particular distinction and value to projects or individual elements. This trend is seen above all in countries such as South Africa, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico where there is “a great variety of architectural languages ranging from Asian minimalism to rationalism, to local architectural traditions,” the IMM noted in a news release.
   “Once again we have seen that the great tradition of using Apuan marble is present in all styles and all contexts,” said IMM Chairman Giorgio Bianchini, “and the particular attention of architects/designers in its use to enhance the effects of local materials proves that white marble still has a great future, especially in quality architecture and design.”
   The jury met at the IMM head offices in Carrara  earlier this year, and included Mariella Zoppi, professor at the faculty of architecture at Florence University and Chairman of the Fine Arts Academy in Carrara; Sauro Cerri, from the scientific committee of the Carlo L. Ragghianti Foundation; and Bianchini.
   The award winners will be honored at a ceremony during CarraraMarmotec, which runs from May 29-June 1.
   The MAA sponsors in 2008 include the IMM, Toscana Promozione, Cassa di Risparmio di Carrara , Pietra Naturale e Pietra Autentica, Gemignani e Vanelli Marmi Snc, Henraux Spa, La facciata Srl, Sagevan Marmi Srl and Savema Spa.