Books and archives, with their exceptional value, are the focus of a building that grows over time, designed by Steven Holl in the forest at Rhinebeck, New York. The theme of the archive returns in the critical reflections of Domitilla Dardi and Beppe Finessi, who analyze its meaning and creative potential for contemporary design culture. Margraf, the protagonist of our cover story, narrates the wonders of marble and a complex engineering challenge in Akka, Israel, where a temple is being built dedicated to the religious leader 'Abdu'l-Bahá, designed by the Iranian-Canadian architect Hossein Amanat. This project underlines the way materials have become the absolute protagonists of architecture and design: just consider our coverage of products and surfaces in marble and concrete, paired in a creative dialogue that emphasizes lightness and haute couture workmanship. Or the article on the new outdoor furnishings, which combine nature, technological fibers and the work of artisans to produce comfort and durability.