Centering

Stereotomy, besides being referred as coupe des pierres, also includes, in various treatises, the art of coupe des bois, as is the case of Frézier’s work. The presence of wood in stereotomy literature usually reports to wood structure construction such as trusses, needed for the execution of the temporary falsework where stone voussoirs are positioned and rest before the final keystone closes the structure. In fact, without a correct centering, the majority of stereotomic structures wouldn’t be able to exist themselves; while the masons work was central, the carpenter ability to build a temporary wooden formwork across the necessary span was not less essential (Fitchen, 1981). The centering is then as important to the final stereotomic structure in its temporary supporting role as it is in the technical knowledge to produce it (Aris, 2006).

This signifier includes the construction approaches taken in order to provide a temporary support for the heavy voussoirs while they are not in compression against each other. This support allows for the careful placement of the blocks not only in their height (Z coordinate), but also in their exact position within the vault surface (UV coordinate).