Natural stone industry brings leading names in U.S. architecture to Brazil

A delegation brings together prominent names in luxury residential architecture, skyscrapers, and sustainability for a technical mission at Marmomac Brazil 2026, the largest natural stone fair in the Americas.

From mansions in Beverly Hills to award-winning sustainable projects in Florida, five internationally renowned U.S. architects will be in São Paulo from February 23 to 26 for an exclusive technical mission promoted by It’s Natural – Brazilian Natural Stone, a project for sectoral promotion developed by the Brazilian Natural Stone Association (Centrorochas) in partnership with ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency).

The schedule includes experiences both inside and outside the fair, with visits to cultural landmarks in the city of São Paulo and a display of the latest innovations of the sector at Marmomac Brazil, the leading event devoted to natural stones in the Americas, which takes place from February 24 to 26. The initiative is part of a strategy to promote the Brazilian stone industry, seeking to bring major global specifiers closer to the diversity and quality of Brazilian production.

The invited architects represent different strategic territories in the United States and have decades of experience in segments such as luxury housing, large-scale urban projects, and sophisticated interior design. They are:

• Andrea Caicedo (Houston) is the co-founder of Reagan & Andre Architecture Studio, which specializes in high-end custom residential projects. Renowned for her technical precision and aesthetic sensitivity, Andrea spearheads the launch of a new program to encourage young artists in honor of her mentor, uniting architecture and cultural development.
• Carlos Khajadorian (Los Angeles) works on the development of luxury residences in areas such as Bel Air, Pacific Palisades, and Beverly Hills, with values ​​exceeding US$60 million. He is known for his direct involvement in all stages of the project, from conception to finishing, and is responsible for specifying the materials that make up the most sophisticated interiors in California.
• Jeffrey Funke (Chicago) has over 35 years of experience and a portfolio with over US$600 million in construction and revitalization projects in the Chicago metropolitan area. He is a leading figure in vertical architecture and urban planning, with award-winning projects such as 340 East Randolph (Chicago) and Cathedral Place (Milwaukee). His practice combines architecture, planning, and interiors with a focus on quality and the urban context.
• Cristina Reis (São Paulo / Flórida): International Associate AIA, Cristina construiu uma carreira sólida à frente de seu próprio escritório em São Paulo, onde atuou por 15 anos desenvolvendo projetos que integram arquitetura, urbanismo, iluminação, acabamentos e paisagismo. Com olhar apurado para detalhes e forte sensibilidade às necessidades dos clientes, ela combina rigor técnico e paixão pelo design de interiores. Sua busca constante por beleza — mesmo nos espaços mais cotidianos — contribuiu para fortalecer a atuação da AJO como referência em arquitetura e design no sudoeste da Flórida, consolidando sua presença no cenário internacional.
• Ward Welch (New York) is a designer at Studio SFW and works in all stages of high-end residential interior design projects. His approach values ​​the impact of design on people’s well-being, operating in the most sophisticated regions of the U.S. East Coast, such as Midtown East and the Hamptons.

According to the manager of It’s Natural – Brazilian Natural Stone, Thiago Fukuda, these five professionals represent a highly qualified group who learned about the Brazilian natural stone industry during presentations held by the sectoral project in the United States throughout 2025.

“Moments like these spark great interest in our geodiversity, applications in projects, and the sustainable potential of the industry. All participants in initiatives like this are invited to register for our immersion program, and these five professionals were selected to deepen this connection with the visit to Brazil. It is a valuable exchange, part of a set of integrated actions focused on strengthening the international presence of the Brazilian industry and opening doors to new opportunities,” he explained.

Global business and narratives

The group of invited architects and designers will not be alone in this strategic immersion. Specialized journalists and international buyers from markets such as Australia, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, India, Italy, Mexico, and Poland are also joining the delegation, forming a global mosaic of attentive eyes focused on Brazil’s potential.

While journalists will have exclusive access to behind-the-scenes aspects of the fair and content experiences focused on launches and sustainability, the 18 international buyers will participate in in-person rounds of negotiations with 24 Brazilian companies, deepening commercial connections and raising new possibilities for Brazilian natural stones on the world stage.

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 stimulate and increase Brazilian exports of ornamental stones through a set of strategic internationalization actions, including image promotion, market development, and sectoral strengthening.
Companies interested in joining the project can register for free at: https://podio.com/webforms/26378838/1995038

About Centrorochas

The Brazilian Natural Stone Association (Centrorochas) is actively involved in all national efforts to increase the competitiveness of the ornamental stone sector. The organization provides direct support for Brazilian companies’ international presence, combining commercial and operational actions to foster the development and growth of the industry.

About ApexBrasil

The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. To achieve its goals, ApexBrasil carries out a variety of commercial promotion initiatives aimed at boosting exports and enhancing Brazil’s global image, such as trade missions, business matchmaking, support for Brazilian companies at major international trade shows, and inbound buyer and influencer visits. The agency also coordinates with public and private stakeholders to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to Brazil, focusing on sectors that are strategic to enhancing the country’s business competitiveness.