There’s a new resource from the Natural Stone Institute designed especially to educate architects and designers in the use and specification of natural stone as a building material. The Natural Stone Academy is an eight-hour Natural Stone CEU course. Architects and designers who complete all eight hours receive a Natural Stone Academy badge for their online profiles. 

In addition to eight hours of courses, the Natural Stone Academy has resource links for architects and designers. Resources include:

  • Natural Stone Resource Library
  • Sample Specification Language
  • CEU courses currently on the Natural Stone University
  • List of Natural Stone Institute CEU providers
  • List of Natural Stone Institute Accredited Fabricators and Installers


Since the Natural Stone Academy opened on September 1, 2018, architects and designers have taken over 1,300 courses. 

The Natural Stone Academy is a small part of the Natural Stone Institute’s education strategy for the Architecture and Design community. The Natural Stone Institute’s goal is to provide correct information to architects and designers before specifications are written. This ensures a successful project as specifications will account for suitable material, correct fabrication and proper installation.


Natural Stone Institute efforts to inform the Architecture and Design community include:

  • Providing an open-source Natural Stone Resource Library with selection and installations standards
    ( www.natural stoneinstitute.org/resourcelibrary/ )
  • Creating a CEU Program where members speak to architects and designers about stone specifications
    ( www.natural stoneinstitute.org/programs/ceu )
  • Creating a plan for outreach to architecture and design schools in order to speak with students before they start writing project specifications. 


To visit the Natural Stone Academy, please go to www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/academy .