Wells Cathedral Stonemasons
An apprentice stonemason at Wells Cathedral, UK, tracing a design on to stone prior to cutting. Historically the link between a drawing and the execution of that drawing on site, were much closer in time and place than they are today. However, one unexpected outcome is the emergence of a studio culture within the design studio. This disconnection has led to tensions between education and practice. Stonemasons still use the ancient apprentice system to learn their skills on site. However, design-studio culture is common to both education and practice and architects must be conscious of this link. A mason might mark out a design on a piece of stone immediately prior to cutting it directly on site. The design studio has evolved as a place that enables design to be developed both far away and far in advance of its actual implementation.
