OUR IN-HOUSE RESEARCH LAB
Our in-house research laboratory is a true miniature factory, a pilot plant where every process and piece of machinery is accurately replicated to scale. It is a hub where ideas spark and where everything begins: a place where to explore the possibilities of a material and to test their qualities, to develop new spatial dimensions, to consolidate conceptual studies and experiment with forms, structures and aesthetics.
INNOVATION
Our in-house research laboratory is a true miniature factory, a pilot plant where every process and piece of machinery is accurately replicated to scale. It is a hub where ideas spark and where everything begins: a place where to explore the possibilities of a material and to test their qualities, to develop new spatial dimensions, to consolidate conceptual studies and experiment with forms , structures and aesthetics.
Thanks to significant investements in R&D and our in-house research laboratory, Mineral Expertise is committed to innovation. We focus on developing and utilizing advanced innovative technologies that challenge mineral standards and broaden the possibilities of its applications.
Mineral Expertise has secured CSTB ATEx certification for its Honeycomb FR cladding system. This metal-frame solution is engineered for high-risk environments, combining fire resistance with seismic adaptability.
Core Technical Features
In collaboration with AGC group – world’s leading producer of plate glass -,
Mineral Expertise has developed a patented technology that integrates marble panels onto large-scale glass modules. This patented process emphasizes the transparency of the marble and allows a uniform facade on the cladding.
Key Performance Features
The ECO-MINERAL-PROCESS (EMP®) is a patented technology designed to create complex, three-dimensional mineral shapes while optimizing material usage and remaining cost-effective. Inspired by the Renaissance technique of commesso, this modern evolution leverages advanced algorithms, artificial intelligence, and specialized drawing software to push the boundaries of mineral design.
The process received the Prix Design VIA and was showcased during Paris Design Week 2021 and at the French Embassy in Milan
The Stone Sticks illustrate the application of our Eco-Mineral-Process® for architectural purposes.
Mineral Expertise created a lightweight cladding for the facades of the University of Chicago in Paris. The project was designed by the internationally acclaimed architecture firm Studio Gang – USA. It consists of a 4km long installation of limestone sticks, which are each up to 8m high.
In line with the ambitious environmental standards of the City of Paris and the Portuguese SEMAPA, the design minimizes carbon footprint while optimizing energy performance. Its combination of active and passive strategies includes the use of locally sourced and sustainably-harvested materials.
Mineral Expertise proposed a new and robust process that meets the project’s constraints of mechanical performance and lightening of the structure.
We continue to research lighting techniques that can take advantage of the translucent properties of marble, such as fiber-optic lighting and LED dynamic lighting techniques.
Using a new generation of fiber-optic lighting process, our backlit marble system is dimmable, energy efficient and long-lasting. It is the ideal technology to optimize your backlighting system, without the need to remove marble panels anymore.
Through post-tensioning of stone, it is possible to create prefabricated panels that either eliminate the need for secondary steelwork and subsequent site operations, or for pre-cast concrete panels.
At Mineral Expertise, we believe that the most ambitious architectural projects shouldn’t be limited by technical complexity. Design Assist is our collaborative R&D service where we join your project team during the early design phases to turn conceptual intent into buildable reality.
Unlike traditional “build-to-print” models, Design Assist allows us to solve engineering challenges before they reach the construction site.