A global architect and an expert on natural stones will present new possibilities for selecting and using natural stones. Brazil has the greatest geodiversity on the planet.
Nature never repeats its creations. Each natural stone features a unique combination of colors, veins, and textures, capable of adding character to a project. But how can this uniqueness be transformed into new possibilities for architecture and design? With the greatest geodiversity on the planet, Brazil has a world of materials waiting to be discovered. This is the premise of “Level Up – A New Perspective on Natural Stones,” a workshop taking place on October 27 at CASACOR Ceará, in the city of Fortaleza.
The initiative is part of It’s Natural – Brazilian Natural Stone, a sectoral promotion project developed by the Brazilian Natural Stone Association (Centrorochas) in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil). The event aims to expand knowledge regarding the specification of natural stones and international architecture and design trends, besides strengthening the connection between the Brazilian industry and the professionals who select the materials used in projects both in Brazil and abroad.
With over 1,200 cataloged varieties of stone, Brazil offers materials ranging from subtle patterns and uniform tones to striking compositions featuring veining, movement, and contrast. “This diversity provides countless creative possibilities, and understanding the characteristics of each stone is essential to making the most of them. Through Level Up, we want to bring the Brazilian industry closer to the professionals who specify these materials, demonstrating how our stones can become part of projects featuring different styles and applications in Brazil and abroad,” says Thiago Fukuda, the manager of the It’s Natural project.
The Level Up program focuses on the combination of inspiration and technical knowledge. Junior Andrade, the CEO of JR Andrade Arquitetura, will share experiences with residential, hospitality, and urban planning projects developed across 14 countries, drawing on references from contemporary architecture and perspectives from different markets.
Meanwhile, architect and natural stone specialist Carolina Andrade, the CEO of Natural Design, will discuss the selection and specification of the materials, exploring their aesthetic and functional characteristics and their potential applications in architecture and interior design projects.
From raw material to a finished space
The venue chosen for the workshop is also a practical demonstration of the possibilities of incorporating natural stone into architecture. The event will take place at Bar do Fonte, a space within CASACOR Ceará designed by architect Rodrigo Maia, who reinterpreted Belle Époque influences in a contemporary setting. The quartzite Patagônia, supplied by Granos, features on the bar counter and on other elements throughout the space, with veins and contrasts that contribute to the visual identity of the project.
The initiative is supported by Milanez & Milaneze, a company that is part of the Veronafiere Group, and Granos, a company based in the state of Ceará that is a member of It’s Natural.
Information
Workshop Level Up – A New Perspective on Natural Stones
Date: October 27, 2026
Time: from 7 p.m.
Venue: Bar do Fonte – CASACOR Ceará, Fortaleza (Ceará)
Speakers: Junior Andrade and Carolina Andrade
Further information: +55 27 99983-5125
Presented by: It’s Natural – Brazilian Natural Stone
Promoted by: Centrorochas and ApexBrasil
Supported by: Milanez & Milaneze and Granos
About It’s Natural – Brazilian Natural Stone
It’s Natural – Brazilian Natural Stone is an export promotion program developed by the Brazilian Natural Stone Association (Centrorochas) in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil). The program aims to encourage and increase exports of Brazilian natural stones, through a set of strategic internationalization actions with initiatives geared towards promotion, strengthening of the image and development of the industry in the global market. Companies interested in being part of the project must visit https://podio.com/webforms/26378838/1995038 to register for free.
About Centrorochas
Founded in 2004, the Brazilian Natural Stone Association (Centrorochas) is the national representative body for the Brazilian natural stone industry. Operating in 17 states, with a network of over 470 member and supported companies, it represents and coordinates one of the leading natural stone producing and exporting sectors in the world. The organization works to defend the interests and strengthen the competitiveness of the production chain, promoting dialogue with government authorities, institutions, and strategic partners. Its initiatives encompass sector development, sustainability, innovation, market intelligence and knowledge, training, trade promotion, and internationalization, contributing to enhancing the competitiveness and expanding the presence of Brazilian natural stones in Brazil and abroad.
About ApexBrasil
The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and to attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. To achieve these objectives, the Agency carries out several trade promotion activities aimed at promoting exports and valuing Brazilian products and services abroad. They include prospective and trade missions, rounds of negotiations, support for the participation of Brazilian companies in major international fairs, and visits of foreign buyers and opinion formers to learn about the Brazilian production structure, among other business platforms that also aim to strengthen the Brazil brand. The Agency also works in coordination with public and private actors to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to Brazil, focusing on strategic sectors, aiming at the development of competitiveness of Brazilian companies and of the country.
