The first-ever international forum entirely dedicated to authentic natural stone, titled “Stone is…”, concluded successfully on Friday, June 13th, in Venice. Held over two days, the event brought together prominent voices from across the globe, positioning natural stone at the heart of contemporary discourse on culture, design, and sustainability.
A Ceremonial Opening and a Shared Vision
The forum opened with institutional greetings from Raffaella Laezza, Scientific Director of the Forum and professor at IUAV University of Venice, Benno Albrecht, Rector of IUAV, Roberto Beraldo, President of the Order of Architects PPC of the Province of Venice, and Stefano Ghirardi, President of the PNA | Authentic Natural Stone Network.
From the outset, a unified message emerged: stone is not just a construction material, but a cultural, environmental, and symbolic medium — a powerful connector between memory, design, and the future.
A Polyphonic Journey Through Matter, Art, and Architecture
The first day featured rich and diverse contributions. Walter Mariotti explored the link between materiality and imagination, Claudia Chiappino examined the environmental footprint of stone, while Francesco Canali presented the historical quarries of Milan Cathedral.
The afternoon sessions welcomed international guests such as Kinue Horikawa, Najla El Zein, Peter Eisenman, Suguru Watanabe, Angela Vettese, Christian Pongratz, Maria Perbellini, and Peter Harrison, in an open, interdisciplinary dialogue between art, architecture, and material culture.
The day concluded with the first session of “Mapping Stone is”, curated by Raffaella Laezza, launching a collective process of reflection and mapping of the forum’s themes.
A Strong Finish with Vision and Depth
On the second and final day, Walter Mariotti continued his reflections, followed by Claudia Chiappino, who further delved into the language of design and the ecological implications of the stone industry. Peter Harrison highlighted the role of stone in sustainable design, while Giovanni Santamaria addressed the transformation of urban landscapes.
The forum concluded with the second and final “Mapping Stone is” session, led once again by Raffaella Laezza, who synthesized the ideas, perspectives, and visions shared over the two days.
A Turning Point for Natural Stone
More than just a gathering of experts, “Stone is…” marked a milestone for the PNA network, which since 2018 has united over 40 organizations with a common mission: to promote the excellence, heritage, and competitive strength of authentic natural stone.
The forum confirmed a rising global awareness of the conscious, sustainable, and design-driven use of stone — not only as a material, but as a meaningful narrative medium.
A New Story Begins
“Stone is…” was just the beginning of a new chapter — a forward-looking narrative in which natural stone becomes a protagonist in shaping the built environment, cultural identity, and ecological responsibility. From Venice, this story sets out to inspire and influence international architectural and design thinking for years to come.
