At ABC Stonemasonry, our craft is rooted in history, yet our tools are evolving with technology. We’ve spent years working on heritage buildings, traditional new builds, and bespoke design projects. But one thing that continues to transform how we approach our work is CAD: Computer-Aided Design.
In skilled hands, CAD isn’t just a drawing tool. It’s a bridge between heritage craftsmanship and modern innovation, helping us preserve the past while designing for the future.
Why CAD Matters in Stonemasonry
For centuries, masons relied solely on sketches, templates, and instinct. Every moulding or arch was hand-set, measured by eye, and shaped through years of experience. That knowledge remains vital, but with the precision and repeatability of CAD, we can now translate that same artistry into digital form.
CAD allows us to:
- Visualise restorations before work begins, identifying potential issues early.
- Create highly accurate drawings of architectural features, mouldings, and tracery.
- Design bespoke new builds that integrate traditional stonework into contemporary spaces.
- Record historic detail digitally: preserving exact dimensions, carvings, and proportions for future generations.
Through CAD, every curve, joint, and chamfer can be plotted to millimetre precision, ensuring that even when working on centuries-old structures, we can achieve modern accuracy without compromising authenticity.
Bridging Old and New
Stonemasonry is often seen as a purely historical craft, but our work sits at the meeting point of preservation and progress.
When restoring heritage buildings, CAD helps us:
- Recreate lost or damaged sections using digital measurements taken from site surveys.
- Overlay historic and modern plans to ensure that any intervention respects the original fabric.
- Produce templates for replacement stones that perfectly match existing geometry.
This approach allows us to combine hand-tooled craftsmanship with digital foresight. The stones are still cut, dressed, and finished by hand, but guided by drawings that ensure they sit seamlessly alongside the original work.
It’s a modern interpretation of the same precision that master masons achieved with string lines and compasses centuries ago.
From Restoration to New Build
While our heritage work remains a cornerstone of what we do, CAD has opened doors to bespoke new-build projects too.
Whether it’s a country house façade, a contemporary garden wall, or a new public monument, we can model every element digitally before the first stone is cut. This process enables our clients to:
- Visualise finished work in 3D before construction.
- Experiment with materials and layouts using photorealistic rendering.
- Ensure compliance and efficiency with architectural and structural teams from the start.
In new builds, we often use CAD to complement natural stone with materials such as brick, timber, or steel — maintaining the character of traditional craftsmanship while meeting today’s design expectations.
It’s this ability to blend eras and materials that defines our modern approach.
Preserving Heritage Through Digital Documentation
CAD also helps us record heritage assets accurately for future conservation.
By combining CAD drawings with photogrammetry or 3D scanning, we can build a precise record of each project — an invaluable resource for:
- Future restorations or repairs.
- Planning applications with local authorities or conservation officers.
- Educational use and community archives.
Historic England encourages such digital documentation as part of long-term conservation planning, ensuring that “accurate records of historic structures are retained, even when physical fabric changes.”
(Historic England – Digital Recording Guidance)
By aligning with this guidance, we’re not just repairing, we’re recording history for those who come after us.
Our CAD Services at a Glance
We currently offer a full suite of CAD-based services, including:
- 2D and 3D stone detailing – from simple walling to complex moulded or carved features.
- Measured surveys and restoration drawings – accurately capturing existing stonework.
- Architectural collaboration – producing CAD files compatible with architects, engineers, and heritage consultants.
- Bespoke design for new builds – garden features, façades, and stone structures.
- Digital archiving – keeping a secure record of every project for heritage documentation.
All designs are produced in-house by our experienced team, ensuring continuity from digital design to physical stone.
Visit our CAD Design & Technical Services page for a closer look at how our digital tools complement our craftsmanship.
The Future of Craftsmanship
We often say that craft doesn’t stop at tradition; it grows from it.
By intertwining CAD with traditional masonry, we ensure that ancient skills continue to thrive in modern construction. It’s this balance: between the timeless and the technical, that defines the next chapter of heritage building.
If you’re planning a restoration, new build, or design project where precision and tradition matter equally, we’d be delighted to help.
Contact us via our Contact Page or explore our Project Gallery to see how CAD and craftsmanship come together at ABC Stonemasonry.