Veronafiere offers this course to help architects learn advanced techniques in the use of marble, granite and other stone materials, and explains that "the program is a unique combination of classroom lectures, guided architectural tours and field trips to local quarries as well as to natural stone processing facilities." I am fortunate enough to partake in this event every year, and each time, I witness the same reaction from the architects -- awe and curiosity. They are always amazed and excited when visiting the quarries and stone processing plants -- asking many questions to better understand the material and the production process. And that is exactly the point of an educational course such as "Designing with Natural Stone" -- to educate architects on the qualities of an assortment of stone varieties and let them see their source.

Because the course has been so successful for well over a decade, the Marmomacc Stone Academy has branched out to offer it in other regions beyond Italy. It recently completed its first edition in Brazil -- held in conjunction with the Vitória Stone Fair/Marmomacc Latin America. Architects and designers from Canada, Brazil and the U.S. were chosen to be a part of the first bilingual program that the Marmomacc Stone Academy has ever offered outside of Italy. Those interested can read more about this on Stone World's website at: http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/87987-studying-in-the-southern-hemisphere.