Dry Stone | Collective

The technique of dry stone, common to humanity, has been implemented with a lot of inventiveness in daily life: boundary walls, agricultural terraces, huts to protect animals or store crops, wells to capture water, stairs and paths to conquer slopes... Both documentary and practical, this book invites readers to discover the landscapes of dry stone shaped by humans around the world. From the terraces in Provence to the steep terraces of Cape Verde, from the garden walls in the Cévennes to the Japanese temples in Nara, these anonymous architectures remain completely relevant. As evidence, a new generation of dry stone masons has emerged, demonstrating the heritage and ecological necessity of preserving and transmitting this know-how. Five dry stone specialists share their passionate knowledge and experiences here. A practical chapter details, with images, the construction of a wall and offers everyone, whether an individual or a professional, the opportunity to build or restore dry stone structures.