Featured in Building Stone Magazine
Building Stone Magazine - Photos by Ryan Velting
My Photography Featured in Building Stone Magazine and Picco Group’s Award-Winning Project
In 2022 I had the privilege of photographing one of the most ambitious projects I’ve ever documented — and it went on to win international recognition. Picco Group, an Ontario-based engineering and design firm, received the 2022 Grande Pinnacle Award from the Natural Stone Institute for their work on Jaume Plensa’s marble installation Utopia at Frederik Meijer Gardens.
My images were not only part of Picco’s award submission, but were also featured in a 14-page spread in the Institute’s Building Stone Magazine. Later, Jaume Plensa’s own team reached out to request permission to use them. As a photographer, it’s incredibly rewarding to know that my work helped tell the story of a project that received the highest honor in the natural stone industry.
Photographing an Engineering Feat
Utopia is no ordinary sculpture. The installation consists of four 19-foot-tall portraits of young women, carved from nearly 400 panels of Vietnamese Blanc Absolute marble. Together, those panels weigh close to 400 tons, with some individual pieces exceeding 9,000 pounds.
Capturing both the monumental scale and the intricate details was essential. Over several days at Frederik Meijer Gardens, I worked entirely with natural and available light, using multiple lenses and vantage points to convey both the immensity of the space and the artistry of the carving.
Collaboration at Every Level
Picco Group’s role was to turn Plensa’s vision into a reality. They handled the sourcing, planning, and engineering, developing a custom steel framing system that could safely support each massive marble panel. Their innovation is what made the installation possible.
Working with Picco Group was a pleasure from the start — they provided a clear objective, a reasonable timeframe, and the kind of trust that allows me to focus on capturing the images they need. The Frederik Meijer Gardens staff were equally supportive, giving me after-hours access to photograph the space without interruption.
A Lasting Highlight
Looking back, I realize this project represents a rare intersection of art, engineering, and storytelling. Plensa’s vision, Picco’s engineering, and my photography all came together to share something extraordinary with the world.
It may have taken me a little longer than planned to write this blog post, but the story is as relevant now as it was when the project was unveiled. Having my images featured in Building Stone Magazine and knowing they helped showcase an award-winning achievement is something I’ll always be proud of.
Cherry on top - several of the images used in the magazine feature my wife and son. =)
Scope of Work
Commercial Photography
Location Photography
Photo Editing
Details
Camera - Sony A73
Lenses - 50mm f1.4, 16-35mm f2.8, 70-200mm f2.8
Edited In - Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, Capture One
Photographer
Project Location
Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Client Info
PICCO Group
8611 Jane Street, Suite 200
Concord, ON Canada L4K 2M6
