David lays paving with the traditional Cordoban enchinado pebbling technique.

The key step in the pebbling process is the selection of materials, which will determine the paving’s character and aesthetic. The pebbles used are gathered from the banks of the river Guadalquivir and are some 40mm… long, with two colour tones: white or cream (calcite) and black (slate). They have a smooth oblong shape.

The pebbling is laid in a bed of mortar 6cm thick in which the stones are arranged always upright, with the chosen design. There are many design options, such as varying the direction in which the pebbles are set so as to produce shading effects.

Once the cobbles are in place, they are tamped down and thoroughly watered, and finally a grouting mortar is applied all over the surface and the paving is washed down.

The mortar is traditionally one of lime and sand. Pebbling with lime and sand breathes better than cemented paving, helping to generate a microclimate in traditional courtyards and to regulate their temperature, making them feel cooler.

The tools he uses are shovels, straightedges, a tamper, strings and a hand level.