OBERLIN, OH and CHESTERTOWN, NY  -- MIA+BSI has announced that Rugo Stone, LLC has been chosen for the first "Best Use of Carrara Marble in North America" Marble Architecture Award for their project "The Rotunda Renovation" at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. The award will be presented at the 33rd CarraraMarmotec International Fair of marble, technologies and design in Carrara, Italy on May 18 to 21.

"The Rotunda Renovation" replaced the 16 marble capitals of the University of Virginia's academic village rotunda, a UNESCO world heritage site designed by Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the U.S. An 1895 fire destroyed the original capitals carved by the Ricci family of Carrara, which were then replaced with columns from an alternate source.

The new award was created to honor a project whose beauty, creativity, ingenuity and craftsmanship exemplify professional mastery in the use of Carrara marble in a commercial or residential application in North America. With generous support from the Internazionale Marmi E Macchine Carrara SpA (IMM Carrara), the award winner will receive round-trip economy airfare and complimentary lodging for four nights to attend the fair.

"While all the projects submitted were impressive, the rotunda renovation prevailed due to the passionate story behind the monument," said Marco Ragone (IMM Carrara).

"There was a special meaning of historical heritage where classicism and modernity were so well mixed and integrated." Past MIA president Guido Gliori (Grazzini Brothers & Co.) agreed saying, "In an age where cost savings is king, this renovation's quality, innovation, and technical problem solving is a winner for our history and the use of natural stone."