‘raw geological poetry’: how SolidNature interprets stone into an architecture of emotions

solidnature transforms stone into atmospheric material

For David Mahyari, natural stone is far more than a building material. It is a record of geological time, a medium of artistic expression, and a catalyst for immersive design. The owner of SolidNature has spent the past decade redefining how architects, designers, and audiences experience stone, transforming it from a conventional surface into a material capable of atmospheric storytelling and emotion.

Operating between craftsmanship, technology, and design culture, SolidNature works with some of the world’s most striking natural stones and translates them into architectural environments, collectible pieces, and large scale installations. The company also regularly collaborates with leading creatives such as Bjarke Ingels Group, Sabine Marcelis, StudioPROBA or OMA to shape design experiences that visitors can physically move through and remember. The underlying philosophy is rooted in a simple but ambitious idea: revealing the hidden beauty embedded within the earth’s geological layers. ‘From the very beginning, SolidNature was never intended to be a conventional stone supplier,’ Mahyari tells designboom. ‘We decided to see stone not as inventory, but as potential. Raw geological poetry waiting to be interpreted.’

SolidNature owner David Mahyari | image by Marijke Aerden

mahyari unearths the emotional dimension of stone

Stone has shaped architecture for thousands of years, appearing in monuments, temples, and civic spaces across civilizations. Yet in contemporary construction, it has often been reduced to predictable roles. Mahyari believes the material deserves a more expressive future. ‘When you stand in front of a rare slab, you are not looking at a surface. You are looking at millions of years of compressed time,’ he explains. ‘Movement, depth, translucency, unexpected color gradients. It is emotional. It is immersive.’ 

This realization sparked SolidNature’s mission to reposition stone within contemporary design culture. Rather than treating it purely as a construction material, the company approaches stone as a creative medium capable of sculptural gestures and atmospheric environments. Experimentation has become central to that process. By developing advanced fabrication techniques and collaborating with architects and designers, SolidNature explores how stone can behave beyond traditional expectations. ‘What happens if stone is sculpted like a textile? If it glows? If it folds?’ Mahyari asks. ‘By pushing the limits of form and function, we discovered that stone can behave like art.’

stone atelier of SolidNature | image by David in den Bosch

from stone objects to immersive architectural environments

While SolidNature produces finely crafted objects and collectible pieces, the company also works in another parallel universe: spatial installations that immerse visitors in the material’s visual and tactile depth. For Mahyari, the difference between an object and an environment lies not only in size, but in emotional impact. ‘At an intimate scale, stone can feel precious and almost jewel-like,’ he explains. ‘At an architectural scale, it becomes atmospheric. It shapes light, acoustics, and movement. It envelops the visitor.’

In these environments, stone becomes more than a material surface. Veining patterns stretch across walls and floors. Translucent slabs filter light. Natural textures influence how people move through space. Storytelling begins with the material itself. ‘Every stone has a geological origin, a geography, and a history,’ Mahyari says. ‘That exclusivity is the starting point of the narrative.’ 

‘Monumental Wonders’ installation at MDW ’22 | image by Marco Cappelletti

mDW installation translates imagination into immersive space

The company’s installations play a key role in communicating its philosophy. Public projects allow SolidNature to experiment with narrative environments that connect material and imagination. One such example: the Milan Design Week ’23 installation Beyond the Surface in partnership with OMA, where visitors were guided through a sequence of spaces exploring the parallels between geological formation and the process of dreaming.

‘We explored the parallel between the journey of dreaming and the journey of stone,’ Mahyari explains. ‘Visitors moved through stages of discovery, pressure, transformation, and mastery.’ For Mahyari, installations are not simply exhibition pieces. They represent an essential part of building SolidNature as a creative brand. ‘From the very beginning, my intention was for SolidNature to become an inspiring brand,’ he says. ‘Storytelling through our installations allows people to experience the material in a deeper way.’ 

solidnature focuses on craftsmanship and precision

Behind the artistic expression lies a rigorous technical process. SolidNature oversees every stage of production, from sourcing rare stones around the world to engineering, fabrication, and installation. This holistic approach allows the company to deliver highly complex projects while maintaining the integrity of the material. ‘We position ourselves as partners in perfection,’ Mahyari says. ‘Every part of the journey is handled by specialists who share a we will make it happen mentality.’ The company’s dedication to craftsmanship also reflects a broader belief that innovation in stone requires patience and precision. ‘There is no shortcut to quality,’ Mahyari notes. 

Although SolidNature works with rare and visually striking materials, Mahyari believes the future of natural stone depends on making it more widely usable in architecture. To address this challenge, the company developed its Ready Made service pillar. The approach focuses on optimizing fabrication processes and engineering strategies so that stone can be applied efficiently in larger architectural projects. ‘Instead of participating in the commodification of stone, we chose to elevate it,’ Mahyari explains. ‘But elevation should not mean exclusion.’ By refining production methods, Ready Made allows architects to incorporate natural stone into projects with tighter budgets while preserving durability and environmental responsibility.

natural stone’s patterns and geological history offer a palette unlike any other material | image by David in den Bosch

architecture projects take shape through presence and restraint

SolidNature’s portfolio also includes major architectural environments where the material plays a quieter yet essential role. Projects connected to institutions such as Fondazione Prada, Jacquemus’ Paris headquarters and Qatar National Library demonstrate how carefully sourced stone can support the spatial identity of public buildings. In these contexts, the goal is not always visual dominance. ‘In large public environments, stone does not need to stand out to create impact,’ Mahyari explains. ‘When carefully sourced and engineered, it can strengthen everything around it.’ This balance between presence and restraint reflects the company’s broader philosophy. Stone can be monumental and expressive, but it can also quietly shape atmosphere, durability, and architectural coherence.

Qatar’s National Library | image by Iwan Baan

a new chapter for an ancient material

Over the past decade, Mahyari has observed a shift in how designers approach stone. Increasingly, architects and creatives treat the material not only as a structural element, but as a medium for expression. ‘A decade ago, stone was often specified for durability or prestige,’ he says. ‘Today designers are asking what stone can become.’ For SolidNature, this shift has revealed a role that goes beyond supplying material. Instead, the company positions itself as a bridge between two powerful forces: the extraordinary natural stones formed over millions of years and the creative minds who imagine new ways to work with them.

Natural stone itself remains the starting point. Its patterns, translucency, and geological history offer a palette unlike any other material. At the same time, its durability and longevity make it one of the most sustainable materials in architecture, allowing buildings and spaces to endure across generations. From there, designers, architects, and creatives interpret the material in ways that continually redefine its possibilities. SolidNature sees its role in unlocking that potential by sourcing rare stones, refining fabrication techniques, and supporting ambitious ideas from concept to realization.

BIG X HS82 X SolidNature – ‘A Million Times 96’ | image courtesy of SolidNature

connecting creative protagonists with natural stone

In this process, Mahyari sees the designers as the true protagonists. ‘Our mission is to bring beauty and brilliance to light,’ he says. ‘The beauty comes from the material itself, and the brilliance comes from the creative minds we collaborate with.’ By connecting natural stone with visionary designers, SolidNature lets the material move into new territories while still allowing the creatives behind each project to take center stage. ‘We remain relentlessly in pursuit of monumental wonder,’ Mahyari says. ‘Pushing boundaries and exploring what natural stone can become.’

Echoes of Infinite SolidNature X Alex Proba | image by Mahmoud Hima

Jacquemus’ Paris headquarters | image by Gaime Meloni

‘Beyond the Surface’ MDW’23 SolidNature X Sabine Marcelis | image by Marco Cappelletti

Off-cut puzzle SolidNature X Marte Mei | image courtesy of SolidNature

project info

name: SolidNature | @solid_nature

photographers: Marijke Aerden, David in den Bosch, Marco Cappelletti, Iwan Baan, Mahmoud Hima, Ewout Huibers, Gaime Meloni, TF Chan

The post ‘raw geological poetry’: how SolidNature interprets stone into an architecture of emotions appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.