Roberto Sironi — Aphanès

Sironi, based in Milan, has a design practice characterized by a research-based, process-oriented approach, which combines anthropological, archaeological, and geographical references. The collection Aphanès takes inspiration from Stone Age megalithic architecture, utilizing simple structural archetypes to showcase the unique qualities of the rare marble used in the collection. This limited reserve of marble showcases striking patterns and colors, furthering Sironi's research-based approach, as demonstrated in his earlier work, RUINS. Delving into the depths of human building history, he crafts design objects that echo dolmen structures, evoking an aura of mystery and ritual.

The collection highlights the material's innate beauty, using marble extracted decades ago from inactive quarries with uncertain geographical origins. The marble's most striking feature is its extraordinary internal structure, which reveals intricate patterns and shapes when cut and finished. Each piece in the Aphanès collection is handmade near Verona, Italy, using custom hand-finishing techniques to emphasize the details of the material and unveil the hidden beauty within the stone.

The project's title, Aphanès (αφανές), is an Ancient Greek word meaning "that which does not appear" or "something hidden." The design process focuses on exposing the stone's 'nude nature' and allowing the material's inherent qualities, formed over millions of years, to shine through. The collection is ultimately the result of over two years of research and meticulous work, respecting the stones' original formation and recognizing their intricate patterns as a visual record of Earth's history.