The Architect: Between the Client and the Right Marble Choice

Aleksandra Popov, Architect

With the increasing availability of premium materials and their growing use in architecture, the number of clients and property owners choosing marble continues to rise, whether natural marble or alternative materials whose primary quality lies in their visual resemblance to marble.

In this context, it is particularly important for the architect to clearly define priorities and carefully assess the quality of the selected material according to its intended use, whether indoors or outdoors. Not every type of marble is equally suitable for bathroom floors, kitchen countertops, or wall cladding. Although modern technologies can significantly enhance the performance and adaptability of natural stone, my practical experience has shown that certain fundamental principles should always be followed when durability and longevity are required, especially when working with marble.

One of my recent projects involved the interior design of a renowned restaurant in Vienna. The client desired an elegant interior that would convey value, durability, and high quality. Marble was therefore the obvious choice for both the flooring and the sanitary areas.

The decision regarding the flooring in the guest area was based not only on the spatial qualities of the spacious and light-filled restaurant but also, and above all, on functional requirements. These included daily cleaning and the increased wear and tear during the winter months, when guests bring moisture, dirt, and road salt into the interior on their shoes. Such demands can only be met by particularly robust marble varieties, which is why we selected Calacatta marble.

Calacatta marble is characterized by high compressive strength and outstanding durability, which may vary depending on the quarry block of origin. Furthermore, it has relatively low water absorption, making it suitable for areas exposed to higher levels of moisture. Equally important was determining the appropriate polishing finish to comply with applicable slip-resistance standards, as well as working with an experienced and reliable flooring contractor.

In accordance with the client’s color preferences, Rosso Levanto marble was selected for the sanitary areas. Our objective was not to use the same marble variety in both spaces while simultaneously designing the entire bathroom using only one type of stone. This approach creates a harmonious and continuous appearance through the natural flow of veining and patterns, visually uniting the floor, walls, and washbasin into a cohesive design composition.

It was also important to coordinate the stone with the dark lacquered oak doors, brass details, and brass fittings. Rosso Levanto met all technical and aesthetic requirements. As a luxurious metamorphic stone with a high serpentine content, it offers not only a striking visual appearance but also the robustness and durability required for high-end interior design concepts.

Once again, this demonstrates that selecting the right marble goes far beyond aesthetic preferences. It requires a thorough understanding of material properties and the architect’s ability to balance the client’s wishes with the technical requirements of a project.