NAKU Steinhandel: Eine Exkursion für Architektur- und Designstudios
Last week, we visited our long-standing partner NAKU Steinhandel AG – one of Switzerland's most impressive stone processing facilities. Giant slabs of natural stone and artificial materials, precision machinery, and 15,000 different stone varieties: NAKU combines traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology.
As Hochwert Library, we work closely with NAKU because the company embodies what we value: expertise, diversity, and uncompromising quality. The facility is impressive – not just for its size, but especially for the possibilities it offers architects and designers.
Natural and Technical Perfection
NAKU Steinhandel AG is far more than a stone supplier. With nearly 50 years of experience – the anniversary will be celebrated next year – the company has established itself as a leading institution. The variety is impressive: natural stones from all continents (Italian marble, Brazilian granite, Portuguese limestone, Spanish slate, exotic varieties from India and Africa) stand alongside high-quality engineered stones and ceramic slabs.
Particularly important: NAKU works with both natural and artificial materials. Technical engineered stones and ceramic slabs often offer advantages in terms of durability, stain resistance, or format possibilities, while natural stone brings its unique authenticity and individual veining. Depending on the project, one solution or the other – or a combination – may be the right choice.
The processing capabilities are virtually limitless. NAKU realizes custom pieces in any size and shape: from delicate wall cladding to massive kitchen countertops to sculptural elements. Modern machines cut, grind, polish, and shape with precision that meets the highest design standards.
The Stone Lab Experience
The Hochwert Library is organizing exclusive excursions to NAKU for architecture and design studios from the Zurich region. This "Stone Lab Experience" is a unique opportunity to discover the full spectrum of stone processing.
What awaits you? A personal tour by the facility's director, who shares his in-depth knowledge about material properties, origins, processing, and application possibilities. You'll see all areas: the storage halls with endless rows of stone and ceramic slabs, the processing halls with impressive machinery, and the complete selection of natural and artificial materials.
A special highlight: exclusive access to the brand-new showroom currently under construction. This showroom will be one of a kind – a space presenting the diversity and beauty of stone in all its forms. Participants in our Stone Lab Experience will be among the first to see it.
Why This Excursion Is Valuable
Material knowledge is fundamental in our industry. At NAKU, you can experience hundreds of varieties in full size – not as small samples, but as complete slabs. You'll understand how different processing methods affect appearance and feel, what technical possibilities exist, and where the differences between natural and artificial materials lie.
Direct contact with NAKU experts is invaluable. They don't just advise but develop solutions and help realize design visions. In an industry where collaboration between designer and material partner is crucial, such connections are essential.
50 Years of Expertise
NAKU's upcoming anniversary is proof of consistency and quality. For half a century, the company has established itself as a reliable partner – through consistent quality orientation, continuous innovation, and deep understanding of designers' needs.
Interested?
If you're part of an architecture or design studio in the Zurich region, we invite you to participate in our Stone Lab Experience. Participant numbers are limited to guarantee an intensive experience.
Contact us for details, dates, and reservations. Experience 100 years of expertise with us and be inspired by the possibilities of this timeless material – in all its natural and technical variants.