Antoni Coll has been working as a dry-stone terrace-waller for 20 years. His practice centres on the restoration of dry walls in disrepair and of any other dry-stone structures needing maintenance, along with new building work.

In maintenance and restoration, Antoni believes it is vital to… reuse stones that have come off the structure itself, for the stones used will vary according to the materials to be found in each area. If the stone available on site does not suffice, he sources new materials as alike as possible to the originals, as the type of stone also to some extent determines the wall’s character. Repairs start with the clearing of the site and of undergrowth. Unstable parts of the wall are then removed so as to leave a sound base. Mason’s lines are strung up for guidance and the wall is rebuilt using the stone stockpile, whether from the wall itself or new materials as needed. First to be built is the wall exterior, with the stones being laid in keeping with the original style in each case, with the facing side dressed more or less smoothly according to the type of stone, the local tradition, etc. Once the exterior is complete, the core is hearted with gravel and ballast and the wall is capped.

The above technique for the restoration of dry terrace walls is really quite similar to that used by Antoni for other dry-stone masonry, as well as for new structures.