On June 12 and 13, 2025, the heart of Venice will host the PNA International Forum, a unique event dedicated to the authentic role of natural stone in contemporary architecture, design, art, and sustainability. Organized by Pietra Naturale Autentica, this edition—titled “Stone is…”—aims to spark a renewed dialogue around the enduring presence of stone as a material that bridges the immaterial and material within our evolving built environment.
Held at the IUAV University of Venice (Tolentini Campus, Aula Magna), the Forum will gather renowned professionals and thinkers from across the globe for two days of reflection, case studies, and cultural exchange. Official languages of the Forum are Italian and English, with real-time translation available via a mobile web app (participants are advised to bring headphones).
A Six-Part Structure: Mapping the Language of Stone
The Forum is structured into six thematic sections that collectively offer a material and conceptual mapping for the design and application of stone in today’s world:
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ORIGINI – Stone as the thought of origin, a reflection on the essence of stone beyond its use as a building material.
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CAVE – Quarries as places of origin and geological memory.
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DNA PIETRA_GENETICS OF DESIGN – The role of natural stone in the foundational DNA of architectural design.
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CANTIERI_CHECK UP CO₂ – Measuring and managing CO₂ emissions in stone-based construction.
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ARCIPELAGO URBANO_METAMORPHIC – Urban metamorphoses through architecture, design, and art using stone.
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“DO YOU STONE ART?” – Contemporary artistic expressions in dialogue with natural stone.
These sections aim to form a “material alphabet”—a conceptual and practical mapping to guide future zero-emission design approaches rooted in the fundamental question of materiality.
Day 1: June 12, 2025 – Opening the Dialogue
Venue: IUAV University, Tolentini Campus, Venice
Professional Training Credits: 8 CFP
The day begins with greetings from key figures, including Raffaella Laezza, scientific curator of the Forum; Benno Albrecht, Rector of IUAV University; Roberto Beraldo, President of the Architects’ Association of Venice; and Stefano Ghirardi, President of PNA.
Key highlights include:
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Walter Mariotti (Domus Editorial Director) opens the ORIGINI section with “Let’s Rock: Material | Immaterial 1.”
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Claudia Chiappino, mining engineer, introduces “Alfabeto con Pietre 1,” linking quarry sites to carbon-conscious construction.
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Francesco Canali, Director of the Duomo di Milano worksites, presents the historic Candoglia marble quarries.
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Kinue Horikawa of the Angelo Mangiarotti Foundation discusses the renowned architect’s legacy with stone.
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Najla El Zein, a designer based in Amsterdam and Beirut, reflects on stone as a “living material.”
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Peter Eisenman shares insights on the City of Culture in Santiago de Compostela, followed by a video contribution from Suguru Watanabe of Kengo Kuma & Associates on the Kadokura Museum.
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Artistic and academic perspectives are offered by Angela Vettese and Peter Harrison, among others.
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The day closes with a debate led by Raffaella Laezza, marking the first stage of the Forum’s conceptual mapping: “Mapping Stone is 1.”
Day 2: June 13, 2025 – Continuing the Conversation
Venue: IUAV University, Tolentini Campus, Venice
Professional Training Credits: 4 CFP
The second day resumes with a continuation of “Mapping Stone is,” guided by Raffaella Laezza.
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Walter Mariotti returns to deepen his reflection with “Let’s Rock: Material | Immaterial 2.”
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Claudia Chiappino continues her analysis of carbon impacts with “Alfabeto con Pietre 2.”
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Peter Harrison offers a critical talk on building sustainably from the start, emphasizing natural stone’s ancient yet timely relevance.
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Giovanni Santamaria of the New York Institute of Technology explores transitional urban landscapes in “Re-Mapping Transitional Stonescapes.”
The Forum concludes with Laezza presenting “Mapping Stone is 2”, completing a mosaic of ideas that challenges participants to rethink the role of stone in a world seeking both sustainability and spiritual substance.
Final Reflections
By bringing together diverse voices—from celebrated architects and engineers to artists and educators—the PNA International Forum not only showcases the technical and aesthetic potentials of natural stone but also prompts a cultural re-evaluation of its meaning. Through the evocative question “Stone is…”, each speaker contributes a unique keyword to this evolving material vocabulary.
In an era defined by climate urgency and design innovation, this Forum offers a timely platform to reconsider the ancient material of stone as a key player in shaping the future of architecture, art, and sustainable living.
