As family members having generations of quarried building stone experience, Natural Stone Veneers International, Inc and its ownership envisioned the significance for, and thus, pioneered the thin veneer stone industry.  As a result, educating architects, masons, contractors and designers has become a top priority at NSVI.  In recognizing the need for Continuing Education within the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) community, NSVI developed a course approved by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) outlining the history, fabrication, and comparison of natural thin veneer to full bed-depth natural stone and artificial veneers.

NSVI has reached over one thousand architects in just two years with a personalized and innovative networking approach to this program’s administration.  Learn more on how to earn one Health-Safety-Welfare (HSW) / Sustainable Design (SD) credit by attending,  NSV 101:  The Nature of Natural Thin Veneer.

American Society for Testing and Materials

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) organization has had a long standing practice of being the “premier developer of globally recognized voluntary consensus standards and technical information”.  Among other objectives, ASTM promotes “public health, safety, and quality of life” while supporting the “protection and sustainability of the environment”.  Equally important is the Society’s contribution towards the “reliability of materials, products, and systems”.   NSVI leadership shares the same ideals, and strives to be at the forefront of breaking news in the industry.  To facilitate a strong voice and advance industry initiatives, NSVI joined ASTM in 2007 as a voting member of the C18 committee (Dimension Stone), advocating best-practice standards and policies for adhered veneers. 

National Association of Home Builders

The National Association of Home Builders strives to create an environment in which “housing, and those who provide it, are recognized as the strength of the nation”.   It is NAHB’s desire for builders to have the “freedom to operate as entrepreneurs… open[ly] and competitive[ly]”.  The organization intensely focuses on legislative, regulatory, and judicial policy.  It is this multifaceted mission that allows the greatest potential for U.S. citizens to live the American dream. 

As building product manufacturers, NSVI ownership has been a member of the NAHB for decades, so when NSVI was founded in 2001, the team continued this tradition exhibiting in national tradeshows throughout the country.  Among NAHB and other related conventions, this national level of exposure jump-started natural thin veneer awareness and interest, helping 1000s realize the benefits of natural thin veneer stone.

Source for italics above: http://www.nahb.org/page.aspx/generic/sectionID=88

American Society of Interior Designers

If a right-brained individual describes the analytical architect and its AIA representation, then the left-brain’s creativity and mind’s eye for design would be best associated with the American Society of Interior Designers (ASLD).  NSVI maintains membership in this organization for a variety of reasons, one of which is to assist homeowners and professional commercial or residential designers in their quest to choose the perfect balance of natural stone color, texture, pattern, and size.  Additionally, due to the continuing education requirements, ASID involvement is instrumental in staying aware of building codes, safety and welfare concerns, legislative and other government affairs.