Rodrigo G. Xiráldez (Pedra Stone Design) works in the same way as his forebears, using only traditional methods. At his workshop, awarded an “Artesanía de Galicia” craft label, he uses mostly granite for religious imagery, stonework and restorations for a nationwide clientele. He also has… a line of utilitarian design and recycled granite articles, and takes private sculpture commissions.

On undertaking new masonry, sculpture or restoration work, he starts with documentary research. He then prepares drawings, models, mock-ups and moulds and selects the best-suited stone. All this is vital to achieving a suitable finish for the architectural feature to be built or restored, or to making a sculpture liable to convey the desired impression.

Handcrafted work is unmistakably recognisable from its imperfections and the pulsing trace of the carver’s hand, creating an artefact that is unique and unrepeatable. Accordingly, hand tools are present in all of Rodrigo’s work: point chisels, round mallets, compasses, squares… producing personal creations in which machinery just serves his craft.

With Pedra he also seeks to develop this traditional trade with the innovation that has always characterised it, with designs intended to make the most of the available building space and collections of 100% recycled articles made with leftovers and residue from the granite quarrying and processing industry.