Designing with Natural Stone

Now in its 16th year, the 2014 edition of the Marmomacc Stone Academy included 32 architects from the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Brazil, India, South Africa, Vietnam and the Philippines.

The architects visited the Botticino marble quarry of Ghirardi Marble & Granite Industry as well as the company’s stone processing plant.

The 16th edition of Marmomacc Stone Academy’s “Designing with Natural Stone” ran from September 22 to 27, 2014 in Verona, Italy, in conjunction with the international stone exhibition. A total of 32 architects from the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Brazil, India, South Africa, Vietnam and the Philippines participated in the course.

Veronafiere offers this course to help architects learn advanced techniques in the use of marble, granite and other stone materials. 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. This comprehensive approach enables architects to better understand stone’s full lifecycle — including how marble is quarried, cut, processed, finished, selected for specific jobs and installed, all using the latest technologies and products.

The 2014 edition included a visit to the Botticino marble quarry of Ghirardi Marble & Granite Industry as well as to its stone processing plant. Additionally, the group observed slab processing techniques at Cereser Marmi’s factory, a guided tour at Antolini’s facility, an architectural tour of Verona, case studies on the Canadian Museum of Human Rights and other projects in stone, and sessions on sustainable stone design and stone cladding as well as new finishing technologies. In addition, the course provided time to explore Marmomacc.

“Designing with Natural Stone” is co-sponsored by Stone World and recognized by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, the Royal Institute of British Architects and the South Africa Institute of Architects. It has been recognized by the AIA as a “Best Practices and Trends” educational program.

As Group Editorial Director of Stone World, Contemporary Stone & Tile Design and TILE, Jennifer Richinelli has been covering the stone and tile industries since she launched her career at BNP Media in 1996. Throughout her tenure, she has visited and reported on numerous national and international quarries, stone fabrication shops, trade shows and other industry events. She has also collaborated with members of the A&D community, including many renowned architects, on articles about designing with stone and tile.

Contact Jennifer at richinellij@bnpmedia.com or (201) 245-5204.