Tracing Natural Stone from Quarry to Countertop in Architecture

Camilla Ghisleni's article examines the ethical and environmental duties associated with natural stone in architecture. The extractive sector operates in 81 nations, generates roughly 25% of the global GDP, and provides jobs for 3.7 million individuals, with Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Mexico being key producers. Concrete manufacturing is responsible for 7% of worldwide carbon emissions, while quarrying can disrupt water systems and displace local populations. In Brazil, granite extraction in Sete Salões State Park illustrates these consequences. Tim Ingold critiques the logic of extraction, whereas Jane Hutton's 'Reciprocal Landscapes' interprets materials as landscapes that have been displaced. Asselya Katenbayeva's research reveals obstacles to transparency. By 2050, the global demand for natural stone is projected to nearly double. This article is supported by VELUX and features in ArchDaily's coverage of the UIA 2026 World Congress of Architects.