You only need to go forty kilometres outside of Zurich city centre and a whole new world opens up. In Gibswil, you find out what natural stone really means. You’ll see things you’ve never seen before; get ready to be surprised as a whole cosmos of stone options open up before you in the exhibition rooms at Real-Stein AG. With his instinct for special and unique things, company founder Walter Alberti tours the whole world, always with his customers in mind. On each continent, there are some quite special rock formations waiting to be discovered and Walter Alberti has an eye for seeing hidden treasure even in blocks of stone.
It is a miracle how nature has created such diversity in stone. Some natural stones look like wood or like a reptile; in any case, like some living thing. The wealth of colour and the many different textures, patterns, nuances and structures is simply unbelievable. And it is unbelievably hard to decide which variety is the right one for you. Fortunately, you are not left to decide that by yourself. Walter Alberti and his capable team are there to help and take the time to identify what it is you need, whether that’s about making your dream kitchen or working on the design of a home bathing paradise. They even develop the most innovative ideas for the interior fittings – room partitions, staircases, counters – at home or in the office. Real Stein can offer its expertise in all these areas. Production, advice, on-site service and after-care are lovingly combined into one entity. Everything is precisely planned, manufactured and installed. The client’s individual ideas and the fulfilment of their wishes are always at the forefront of everything they do.
The natural stones that Real-Stein presents in its product range fit together just like the individual lines of a global multi-verse poem. Walter Alberti has collected over 900 different types of stone from all over the globe. The exhibition in Gibswil acts like a kaleidoscope; like a museum for the geology of the earth’s history, a window into prehistoric times. They have created an atlas of eternity. You notice this at every step you take through the stone library. This 'library' – which displays every natural stone encyclopaedically for you to view – is fascinating. On a guided tour, you get an impression of the sheer mind-boggling range. Unerringly, the 'Real-Stein' staff walk between marble and granite, sandstone and basalt – some stones have names you’ll never have heard of before. They know the specific features of each individual stone, its own character and what in particular it is used for. Then afterwards, in the Stone Gallery, come the impressive large natural stone slabs. A walk through the rows develops into a sensuous experience. You are allowed to touch all the natural stones and this enables you to feel the strength of the material. And you just have to touch them to be able to digest the countless, visual impressions. An 'understanding' is necessary. The exhibition also creates a living environment that has been exclusively furnished with unique products – including sofas, chairs, shell vases – by the designer Dany Widmer, fused perfectly with the stone designs and quite unique style of Real Stein. The whole exhibition covers an incredible 2,500 square metres and provides ever new emotional highlights of luxury, elegance and love. Each of the six Real Stein collections lives and breathes a love for natural stone. The Classic Collection is made up of hundreds of different stones, colours and patterns – from clear white that can subtly change to rosé, via light nougat tones to a deep red-brown with bronze inclusions. The spectacular patterns are composed from some of these stones by macchia aperta (open veins). For the Natura Collection, the surfaces are refined with engravings that are adapted from nature motifs. With the Texture Collection, the surfaces are again carefully hand-processed to create three-dimensional effects, for example. It is unbelievable how opulent, fascinating, shimmering, polished mother-of-pearl platelets are compounded into large plates in the Shellstone Collection. The Precious Stone Collection is made up of gemstones that would otherwise only be used in jewellery. Cut into individual segments, they are pieced together into glamorous mosaics. The Gemstone Collection uses the same technique, but with more precious stones.
There may be one or two people who are sceptical as to whether natural stone is a material that can induce comfort and whether it is just too austere and off-putting. These people are led or enticed into the Real-Stein exhibition in Gibswil and seduced. The elegant and, at the same time, homely interior is inspiring, making you dream of something new in your own home. It is a discovery of the vibrancy and feel of natural stone. You experience the Real-Stein products and discover that there is something for everyone. The characteristic Real-Stein consultation finds connections to your own personality. At this point at the latest, you will be curious and will want to find out more about the many different products on offer. You will want to find out what the infinite potential uses are; you wait with longing for your consultation, to get some expert guidance or choose the stone in Gibswil. Here, you can seek out the perfect stone for your personal range: perhaps it is cool elegance, playful openness, exotic sophistication or rustic comfort – always with the necessary serving of extravagance. Everything is possible and dreams can come true. Quite modestly, Real-Stein is defined as the largest natural stone exhibition in Switzerland; in fact it is unique worldwide.
