Beyond the Surface Installation by OMA: A Journey Through Stone at Milan Design Week 2023

Curated by Paula Pintos, the Beyond the Surface Installation by OMA made a striking impression at Milan Design Week 2023, exploring the transformative journey of natural stone from its geological origins to finished forms. Commissioned by SolidNature, this 500 m² installation was hosted in the historic Casa Maveri within Milan’s iconic Brera District, blending underground immersive spaces with an open-air garden exhibition.

Concept and Spatial Experience

The installation is divided into two primary experiences. The first, located in the palazzo’s basement, guides visitors through a subterranean narrative of stone formation, extraction, and processing. Here, large rough stone slabs completely clad the rooms, evoking the sense of being beneath the Earth’s crust. This immersive environment highlights the textures, colors, and raw beauty of natural stone, emphasizing its transformation from geological material to artistic medium.

The second part of the installation unfolds in the Casa Maveri garden, where stone serves as both functional and aesthetic elements. Stone furniture, crafted by invited artists, becomes the stage for various activities hosted during the design week. The outdoor exhibition celebrates the versatility of stone, illustrating how it bridges craftsmanship, design, and daily life while connecting visitors to nature.

Architectural Features

A standout element is a sky-blue onyx volume that links the basement and garden. This sculptural feature houses a staircase constructed from multicolored marble, blending rich tones and textures while guiding visitors between the two contrasting environments. The juxtaposition of rugged underground spaces with open-air landscaped areas emphasizes the materiality and adaptability of stone in both architecture and design.

Design Significance

OMA’s Beyond the Surface Installation captures the poetic journey of natural stone, combining education, artistry, and experiential design. By highlighting the intrinsic beauty and lifecycle of stone, the project offers a multisensory encounter that inspires both architects and the general public. The installation demonstrates how contemporary design can transform historical spaces into dynamic exhibitions that merge craft, nature, and material exploration.

This project reinforces OMA’s reputation for innovative architectural interventions and immersive installations that celebrate materiality, narrative, and context, all while engaging audiences in meaningful experiential storytelling.

All photographs are works of  Macro Cappelletti, Arthur Wong, Courtesy of OMA