The Stone Experience Center is Indonesia’s first natural stone showroom to be shortlisted for WAF 2025 in Miami.
When talking about natural stone in interior design, most of us might immediately picture luxurious marble or granite used as accents on walls, floors, or tabletops. Yet, the exploration of this material can go far beyond its purely decorative function.
Natural stone has the potential to become a defining element that shapes the atmosphere of a space, showcasing the enduring strength of the material, the beauty of its natural textures, and a distinctive, emotional character. In the right hands, natural stone does more than simply support an interior design concept. It becomes the very center of the spatial experience.
This is what The Stone Experience Center brings to life, a space that does not simply present natural stone as a decorative element, but instead turns it into a complete interior design experience. Located at the Indonesian Design District, this showroom is the first in the world to place natural stone at the center of creative exploration within a dynamic, flexible space filled with visual narratives.
Desain interior The Stone Experience Center. Sumber: cnsdesignworks.com
Spanning nearly 1,000 square meters, the space is far from the rigid and static image often associated with a showroom. Instead, it is designed as a versatile environment that can transform depending on the occasion, from a fashion show, product launch, and cocktail party to design forums, omakase dinners, private gatherings, and collaborative work sessions. In each setting, stone is not merely “used” as a backdrop, but becomes an integral part of the experience itself.
Inside, visitors can discover a range of installations that not only catch the eye but also spark curiosity. There is The Engineered Stone Cliff, a monumental stone formation that appears to have been carved directly from a mountain, combining inspiration from nature with modern fabrication technology.
Instalasi The Engineered Stone Cliff. Sumber: cnsdesignworks.com
There is also The Scarf, a ribbon-like installation stretching 143 meters and made from thin Iranian onyx. Suspended gracefully in the air and illuminated by soft light, it reveals just how beautiful this stone can be through its translucency. Equally calming is The Onyx Fountain Cave, a quiet, spa-like space where water, light, and stone come together to create a deeply reflective atmosphere.
Instalasi The Scarf. Sumber: cnsdesignworks.com
Yet the uniqueness of this place lies not only in its visual and technical beauty. More importantly, The Stone Experience Center reasserts the value of natural stone as a sustainable, character-rich material that remains relevant in contemporary design. In a world increasingly dominated by synthetic materials, the center serves as a reminder that natural beauty still has an important place in the future.
The strength of its concept and remarkable execution have earned this design by Cipta Setia Wijaya of CNS Designworks international recognition. The Stone Experience Center was shortlisted for the World Architecture Festival (WAF) 2025, representing Indonesia in the Interiors category, under the Public Building subcategory. It is a proud achievement that brings Indonesian architectural work onto the global stage.
The World Architecture Festival itself was scheduled to take place from November 12–14, 2025, at the Miami Beach Convention Center, right in the heart of the South Beach area, known for its iconic Art Deco buildings. At this prestigious event, architects and designers from around the world would come together to celebrate innovation, ideas, and the courage to envision the future.
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