Manuel Ruiz Moriche, co-founder and Creative Director of ARK Architects, visited Marmomac 2026 in Verona (Italy) one of the leading international events dedicated to natural stone and its application in architecture and design.
The visit forms part of the studio’s ongoing process of research and material exploration. Marmomac brings together quarries, producers, manufacturers and professionals involved in the transformation and application of natural stone, making it a particularly relevant meeting point to discover new solutions, finishes, techniques and architectural possibilities.
For ARK Architects, maintaining direct contact with the origin of the material is essential. The selection of stone is not based solely on aesthetic criteria, but also on its provenance, texture, performance, durability and ability to integrate naturally into each project.
Natural stone holds a prominent place in ARK’s architecture. Together with other noble materials such as wood, it forms part of a material palette aimed at creating serene, timeless spaces that are deeply connected to their surroundings.
Within the studio’s projects, materials are not understood as elements added to architecture, but as an essential part of its identity. Stone brings texture, depth and a sensory dimension that evolves with light, climate and the passage of time.
This approach is closely linked to ARK Architects’ philosophy: an architecture based on the relationship between nature, wellbeing, light and materiality, where every decision seeks to create spaces capable of enduring both physically and emotionally.
Manuel Ruiz Moriche’s presence at Marmomac reflects precisely this commitment to deepening the studio’s knowledge of materials from their source, maintaining close relationships with quarries and specialists, and discovering first-hand the innovations shaping the sector.
An ongoing search that allows ARK Architects to continue exploring new possibilities for natural stone within a contemporary, honest and timeless architecture.
