Interviews / 11/2/2023

Sharing knowledge that architects really need

Vincent Marazita, owner of stone trends international, talks about training programs for professionals of the
stone industry which led them from the USA to Verona

Vincent Marazita

Owner of Stone Trends International

Vincent Marazita, owner of stone trends international, talks about training programs for professionals of the stone industry which led them from the USA to Verona

How long have you been involved in the natural stone industry from a US perspective? When did you start organizing and leading training courses for architects?

I started in 1987. I was on the road to becoming an architect when the Italian government found me, knew I spoke Italian and asked me to work for them. I worked for the Italian Trade Commission for 13 years and since 1987 I've been working with many Italian suppliers, helping them set up and develop their business in the United States.

The Italian Trade Commission also hired me to bring groups of architects over to Italy to see the quarries and the stone fabrication shops. What I noticed during that time is that many architects worldwide don't have enough preparation in the use of natural stone.

"I noticed that many architects worldwide don't have enough preparation in the use of natural stone"

How did your partnership with Mapei begin? How has this collaboration helped bring about the creation of the advanced training programmes?

I have to say that Mike Granatowski, Mapei Corporation’s Director of Architectural & Commercial Projects in the United States, is one of the best “professors” in the industry, a very good educator. Back in early 1990’s I saw him giving seminars and I decided to work with him. He's giving transparent knowledge to architects, and I like that kind of transparent collaborative approach which characterizes Mapei. Mapei were always at all the main trade shows related to stone surfaces, a major player in the industry and from the very beginning they sponsored our training programs. They immediately recognized the importance of complete installation systems: rather than teaching just about the stone, they would teach about the bonding systems, leveling systems, and much more. Mapei are a fundamental partner due to their cutting-edge laboratories and personnel, with incredible experience and manufacturing and distribution capacity worldwide. Mapei has a lot of international knowledge that the construction industry really needs.

"Mapei has a lot of international knowledge that the construction industry really needs"

A group of US professionals of the stone industry came to Italy in September 2023 to take part in the "Designing with stone" training programme.

How did you select the people taking part in this year’s “Designing with Stone” training week?

This year the training event has a theme: the use of stone in religious projects. It's a group of professionals, not just architects: contractors, installers, designers, all working on temples for the Church of Jesus Christ, or similar buildings. It is a wonderful exchange between knowledge and people who need the knowledge right now because they are all building stone buildings right now. Being stone a gift from God, a gift from nature, we want to pass on that gift as well, because it's not an easy knowledge. Stone went from being the most important structural material many years ago to more or less an ornamental material nowadays. In that transition we've lost architects. So, we take what we've learned from the past, adapt it to the new construction methods and technologies and have successful competences to share with professionals.

A group of US professionals (including Mr Gines of Method Studio) of the stone industry took part in the "Designing with stone" training programme, sponsored by Mapei.

How do you see the natural stone industry developing? How do you think you will continue working with Mapei?

I really believe that Mapei will remain a crucial partner because they believe as much as I believe in sustainability and respect for the environment and that is going to draw us into “a new stone age”. We might see a reduction of skyscrapers covered with glass and a shift going back to using stone structurally: stone is not just an ancient material, it also is a very modern material.

"The focus on sustainability might draw us into “a new stone age”. We might see a reduction of skyscrapers covered with glass and a shift going back to using stone structurally"