Located in Mexico’s creative atmosphere, the project titled “Marble, Wood, Paint. Rice” is a collaboration between architecture studio EDAA and artist Yupica.
This cultural structure in Mexico City adds a new layer of experience to architectural practice through the emotional and temporal connections it establishes with materials. Completed in 2018 and transformed into a gallery space, the structure stands out for the tactile and visual diversity created by the combination of marble, wood, paint, and rice.
At the heart of the project is the main space, where Italian Grigio Carnico marble takes center stage. This seamless marble plane, separated from the wall surface, allows the unique surface textures behind it to be seen. This gives a two-dimensional plane a sense of volume and highlights the distinctive aesthetic qualities of Grigio Carnico. Once a popular choice for the interiors of financial institutions, this marble is now extremely rare due to the closure of its quarry. The project pays homage to this rarity while also giving it a contemporary interpretation.
The corridors and staircases go beyond their role as transitional elements between the main hall and other spaces, transforming into “resonance boxes.” The oak wood used in these areas transforms the architecture into an organic shell. These transitional spaces, which take on different volumes with panels and sloped ceilings, are further enriched by Yupica’s installation work using brass, the brand’s signature material.
Integrated with a lighting and sound system, this work of art offers visitors not only a visual experience but also an auditory and tactile one. This multi-layered narrative is concerned not only with the aesthetic qualities of the materials but also with the atmosphere they create in the space. Each surface and each material, as they come into contact with one another, give the space both physical and symbolic depth.
Another striking element of the project is the concept of space: the “voids” within the space actually serve as one of the strongest narrative elements of the structure, inviting visitors on an inner journey of discovery.
“Marble, Wood, Paint. Rice” is not merely an interior design; it is a sensory bridge between materials, time, and people. Elements such as marble, wood, paint, and rice are not merely surfaces but are treated as carriers of memory and experience. EDAA and Yupica’s collaborative work harmoniously blends the strong connection between natural stone and the past with contemporary architecture, highlighting the material’s quiet yet powerful narrative.
+90 532 585 51 95
+90 532 585 51 95