Beyond the wall

The balance between matter and transparency

In the heart of the Tuscan landscape, among the hidden quarries of the Tuscan-Emilian hills, comes to life a work that redefines the concept of space and matter. Beyond the Wall by architect Francesca Montanaro is an installation that celebrates the dialogue between the weight of history and the lightness of innovation, contrasting two seemingly opposite materials: Pietra Serena and metal mesh.

Pietra Serena: witness to Florentine history

A silent protagonist of the city of Florence, Pietra Serena is a material with deep roots in the Italian architectural tradition. Used since the Etruscan era, it has shaped some of the most iconic Renaissance architectures, defining cloisters, cornices, loggias, and pillars that still characterize the urban landscape today.

Among the quarries that enabled its diffusion, the Firenzuola quarry stands out as a key center for the extraction of this noble and durable material. The act of quarrying is not merely a technical process but a deeply symbolic gesture: bringing a fragment of history back to light, ready to be transformed into a new architectural language. (Visit our page SERENA STONE).

A contrast of elements

Montanaro’s work stems from a strong intuition: the desire to enhance the solidity of Pietra Serena through contrast with a light and transparent material. Metal mesh, typically used as a structural element in construction, is here decontextualized and transformed into an exhibition support. It becomes an unconventional wall—hollowed out and made permeable—capable of hosting and highlighting the different finishes of the stone.

The mesh, with its flexible nature, contrasts with the rigidity of the stone, generating a visual and conceptual tension that invites the observer to explore the work from new perspectives. The result is a space that does not divide but unites, creating a dialogue between materials and perceptions.

An invitation to exploration

“Beyond the Wall” is not just a celebration of matter, but an invitation to reflection. The wall, once a symbol of separation, becomes a threshold of connection, allowing the gaze to pass through and stimulating new forms of interaction.

The work thus fits into a broader discourse on the evolution of contemporary architecture, where the concept of matter is no longer solely tied to its structural function, but becomes an expression of a continuous dialogue between the past and the future, between the solid and the intangible.

With “Beyond the Wall”, Francesca Montanaro demonstrates that even the most traditional materials can find new forms of expression, giving life to unprecedented spaces full of meaning. A work that is not limited to being observed, but invites one to experience it.

Discover the other design works of Calamini Urbano.

“Beyond the Wall” is an example of the extraordinary possibilities offered by Pietra Serena extracted by Calamini Urbano. Its use in design and architecture continues to inspire new creations that blend tradition and innovation. To discover other works and creations made with this unique material, we invite you to explore the projects and designs by Calamini Urbano, where the stone comes to life in ever-new and exciting forms..