STONE ACADEMY 2014 curated by Massimiliano Caviasca Stone Academy is the association bringing together universities, professions and institutions involved in training, research and academic-professional promotion activities in architecture based on the use of stone. During the 2014 edition of the Venice Architecture Biennial directed by Rem Koolhaas, the Stone Academy was recognized as an accredited structure for the "Biennial Session”. The theme chosen by the curator of the Venice Biennial - "Fundamentals" – indicates the need to investigate a present-day architecture project by starting from its origins: theme converging distinctly with the topics proposed by the Stone Academy in order to promote project research through the use of the stone as a "founding" material in architecture. There is an impressive calendar of appointments with dedicated workshops, visits and seminars in Venice Biennial venues, which opened its collaboration with the Stone Academy with the seminar titled "Internal & External - Stone design for living" on 19 and 20 June. Currently, more than 20 Institutes and Universities are members and as of year the programme includes new activities in collaboration with the School of Architecture in Ljubljana. Marmomacc in recent years has played an active and vital role in the promotion and dissemination of what universities are achieving in terms of teaching, research and experiments involving stone architecture, with a constantly expanding presence on the national and international scene. During Marmomacc 2014, university representatives will attend the annual general meeting with the aim of defining the guidelines for 2015 in this field of teaching in architecture today enjoying broader interest and topicality. Marmomacc will also host the following research and educational exhibitions: • Stone Academy Workshop 2014 - Puglia, Stone Territories (Hall 1) • Products developed during courses at universities taking part in the Stone Academy programme (between Halls 11-12) Thanks to the efforts of Marmomacc, the International Master in "Architecture and Construction-Contemporary Design with Stone" at Milan Polytechnic University this year celebrates its seventh edition, consolidating its operational headquarters in the Verona area c/o the Arena Convention Centre, Veronafiere. Thanks equally to the efforts of the Stone Academy, lastly, the workshops (organised during Marmomacc) and the Master courses in Contemporary Design with Natural Stone dedicated to the recovery of quarries, urban building and interior design, are accredited as professional courses with CFP approval by CNAPP.
