Bufalini is a time-honoured Italian company, known for its expertise in marble working for architectural and artistic projects.
In conjunction with Paolo Ulian, the brand’s optical panels were presented at Milan Design Week as part of an installation titled Pensare in marmo (Thinking in marble) hosted in the stunning Liberty-style rooms of the Circolo Filologico Milanesa, only a few steps from the La Scala theatre.
The design of the optical panels stems from a desire to restore a value to all those fragments of materials whose shape or size prevents them from being used for other works causing them to lie idle in the warehouse. Bufalini utilises Carrara and Bardiglio marble, along with other types, in colours ranging from white to dark grey as well as warm tones of beige commonly found in Tuscany and readily available.
Working with tiles whose width varies from 3.7 to 60 centimetres, the material is flanked and composed as if working with the interlaced threads of a woven fabric. This reference to the art of textiles compares the embroidery of a tapestry with the gradual construction of the marble surface as it extends to cover entire walls.
Each of the modules is fitted with slanting elements that have been carved and milled for the purpose of holding small shelves for positioning objects of various types: these elements, made from wood or steel, may be adapted to various types of interiors and to the individual user’s requirements.
The modular nature of Optical enables the panel to be assembled as desired in terms of shape and material. The manufacturing process makes it possible to work on tiny fragments of marble and to achieve special colour and tactile effects.
For more information visit bufalini.com/it/design/optical-pannello-in-marmo/
