top of page

Heruteu/Portfolio/Conservation

We’re always honored to work in the Yorkshire Dales, one of the last strongholds of traditional dry stone walling. The era of British dry stone walls as a dominant feature of the landscape may have passed, but Heruteu remains committed to preserving this heritage whenever possible. This project involved restoring a dry stone wall on a challenging slope of over 30%, presenting both physical and mental challenges to our craftsmen. Projects like these require careful planning and a proper understanding of traditional techniques

Significant Slope

Yorkshire Dales

Field wall restoration on a significant slope

cat:fieldwall/sloping/access/sandstone/drystone/conservation/gapping

Read More
Ecclesiastical work requires a sensitive approach, especially within a world heritage setting like the historical burial site at Église des Cordeliers. Our work focused on conserving the existing burial area with a carefully constructed dry stone retaining wall, ensuring that the integrity of the site remained undisturbed. Projects like these demand not only technical skill but also a profound understanding of the heritage and values associated with sacred sites.

Franciscan Courtyard

Fribourg

Retaining wall to Franciscan burial site

cat:ecclesiastic/switzerland/retaining/burial/drystone/ramp/francescan/conservation

Read More
Our work here was about more than just rebuilding structures; it was about supporting the vineyard’s ecosystem, as these walls provide natural habitats and aid in soil retention across the slopes. With careful attention to both functionality and aesthetics, we ensured that the stonework blended seamlessly with the surrounding vines and flora. This project demanded precision in traditional techniques, preserving the vineyard's character while strengthening its foundation for the future.

Horticultural

Twain

Vineyard retaining wall restoration

cat:restoration/sustainable/vineyard/retaining/limestone/switzerland/conservation

Read More
Heruteu believes strongly in preserving and protecting the embodied energy within stone. This project at Citron Vert showcases an ideal use of reclaimed stone, particularly in retrofitting commercial properties where sourcing new stone may be unnecessary. After the restaurant's renovations, we salvaged limestone from the building works, repurposing it to construct a roadside boundary that enhances the restaurant’s facade. The remaining limestone was used to create a fenced garden entrance, complete with a dedicated herb bed for the restaurant kitchen.

Restoration Salvage

Bistro Garden

Restaurant garden and road side boundary with salvaged limestone

cat:drystone/limestone/restoration/recycle/drystone/public

Read More
This outstanding project organised by Verein Naturkultur focuses on rebuilding an ancient wall that marks the border between the cantons of Bern and Fribourg, involving volunteers and skilled Swiss wallers. The photos in this gallery showcase a section that Heruteu was tasked with restoring, which sits on an extreme slope. In fact, this wall is one of the steepest Swiss walls to be restored in recent times. The project is still underway, and we want to thank Verein Naturkultur for inviting us to be part of such a stunning and prestigious initiative. If you’d like to learn more about this project, you can check out our blog.

Extreme Slope

Dokeli Wall

Verein Naturkultur conservation project to rebuild ancient border

cat:swiss/conservstion/border/mountain/alp/drystone

Read More
Heruteu had the opportunity to work on this mammoth project, providing teams and assistance over a five-year period. This gallery details a section that Heruteu built, including a channel essential for the hydraulic management of mountain water. The retaining wall supports a path that leads across the Swiss-Italian border and protects a vital water source that feeds the surrounding settlements.

Pays du St-Bernard

Grand Saint Bernard

Ecclesiastical retaining wall Swiss-Italian border

cat:ecclesiastical/conservation/retaining/public/route

Read More
This community-driven initiative brought together volunteers from Ireland, Southern Italy, the German part of Italy, and youth from Switzerland to work on the Building Walls Breaking Walls project in Tschierv. We believe that BWBW is an exceptional and on going program that not only focuses on restoring and building cultural dry stone walls but also fosters connections among diverse and fractured backgrounds.

Swiss Bio-Sphere

Tchierv

Building Walls Breaking Walls (community/biosphere project)

cat:community/bwbw/biosphere/romanch/drystone/teaching

Read More
This project involved the careful restoration of a traditional field wall in Durham, showcasing the beauty of our region. Our team focused on repairing and rebuilding sections of the wall using local stone, ensuring that the restoration maintained the wall's historical character and integrity. The restoration not only enhances the landscape but also plays a vital role in supporting local biodiversity by providing habitats for wildlife. We are proud to contribute to the preservation of this important cultural landmark, ensuring it will continue to stand for years to come.

Lanchester Wall Repair

Durham

Field wall restoration sandstone

cat:conservation/fieldwall/northeast/drystone/gapping

Read More
bottom of page