The Retable tables are a series of collectible design pieces developed by Moneo Brock in collaboration with Nerinea. Originally conceived for the exhibition Mujer X Mujer, curated by Marisa Santamaría within the framework of the Madrid Design Festival at 2B space to be, the project explores new ways of engaging with material, form, and sustainability.
Each Retable table is created from leftover fragments of natural stone sourced from industrial production processes. Materials that would otherwise be discarded are carefully selected and transformed through a system of precise cuts and dry assembly, giving rise to compositions that are both structured and spontaneous. The result is a series of unique pieces—no two tables are alike—where variations in texture, veining, color, and geometry form a kind of contemporary “retable,” a layered composition that celebrates the expressive potential of stone.
The project is rooted in principles of circular design. By extending the life cycle of existing materials and eliminating waste, the Retable tables propose a sustainable approach that is both material and conceptual. The construction system allows each piece to be disassembled and recombined, reinforcing its adaptability and open-ended nature over time.
While initially conceived entirely in natural stone, recent iterations have incorporated recycled methacrylate, also sourced from surplus materials. This addition introduces a deliberate contrast between the organic and the artificial: transparency, lightness, and even fluorescent tones interact with the solidity and depth of stone, expanding the material language of the collection while maintaining its sustainable ethos.
Beyond their sculptural presence, the Retable tables retain a strong functional dimension. Their structural integrity and modular system allow for a wide range of configurations and scales, making them suitable as consoles, coffee tables, work surfaces, or reception pieces. This versatility reflects a central ambition of the project: to dissolve the boundaries between art and use, creating objects that operate simultaneously as everyday furniture and collectible design.
