Budri
The Haute Couture

Designer of Marble

(Craft) From ancient Greek sculptures to extravagantly designed modern interiors, marble is synonymous with sophistication and luxury. This metamorphic rock comes in various types and colors, determined by the presence or absence of mineral impurities, with each colored vein telling a story that spans millennia. With some of the most precious types of marble originating from Italy, it is fitting that a family-run business nestled in Mirandola, in the province of Modena, has mastered the craft.

Founded in 1960 as a small local marble and granite workshop, Budri has since grown into an innovative institution with its own showroom in Milan, offices in London and Lugano, and major projects across five continents. The haute-couture marble company has won numerous design awards and possesses expertise in a wide range of fields. It can design luxury boutiques and yachts just as effortlessly as public spaces—and even eyewear.

Budri’s philosophy focuses on capturing the “lightness of weight” and highlighting the expressive potential of this rigid material. This meticulous artistry is evident in all of the company´s design projects. For example, Budri created the flooring, wall facings, and other architectural elements of Dolce & Gabbana’s London flagship store, which won the Wallpaper Design Award for its design and complex execution. This retail location by the brand is only one of many around the globe that the company has adorned with marble.

Dolce & Gabbana is not the only major fashion house that relies on Budri’s craftsmanship. Louis Vuitton, Givenchy and Tod’s also showcase their latest collections against the backdrop of Budri’s exquisite stonework. One of Budri’s largest projects is the Abu Dhabi Mosque, the second-largest mosque in the world. The plaza in front of the building consists of 4,000 mosaic panels, forming an enormous floral bouquet. Covering an area of 17,000 square meters, it is the largest floral floor inlay in the world.

Last year, renowned designer Patricia Urquiola presented her Budri furniture collection Geodies at Milan Design Week. The resulting pieces – including dining tables, side tables, and mirrors – illustrate the successful fusion of craftsmanship and design.

One of the company’s most innovative projects is undoubtedly its eyewear collection, marking an unprecedented advancement in the use of marble. For two years, meticulous research and cutting-edge technology were employed to develop the specific production steps necessary for creating thin, wearable frames. The resulting glasses are true works of art, combining various marble types with modern shapes reminiscent of design classics like the aviator or cat-eye frames.