A Cut Above

Architect Andrea Milani of Italy-based Studio Milani creates a gallery-like atmosphere for the HMG Stones showroom in Bengaluru. The elegant design takes inspiration from the shape of a turtle’s shell and maintains a sleek yet simultaneously rough connect to nature.

- Alifiya Mehamdabadwala

HMG Group started off as exporters of marble and granite slabs, tiles and blocks to major international destinations like US and Canada in 1986.

After gaining profound industrial exposure and knowledge in both international and domestic market, in 2012 the group launched HMG Stones to explore the tremendous potential in the marble and granite industry in India. Taking this journey one step ahead, the owner Anand Reddy, decided to open a dedicated HMG Stones Gallery in Bengaluru. To realize this vision, he commissioned architect Andrea Milani of Italy-based Studio Milani, whom he had met during the annual stone fair at Verona where Andrea was a finalist. Anand was fascinated by the architect’s creativity and design sense, and Andrea, who specializes in museum design, was excited to get on board — and the positive vibes which he got after visiting the site sealed the deal.

Anand’s design brief for the showroom was not simple. “I always had an idea of 1, Sankey Road, being a premium up market location and wanted the showroom to be like a theatre or drama stage with endless new designs — the stones being portraits, and people passing by, the audience,” explains Anand.