My Gesellenstück, the final project marking the end of my apprenticeship, wasn’t exactly ordinary. Where others might have stuck to tradition, I pushed the boundaries. I designed a submarine window rendered in stone, with waves flowing behind it. It was a modern, symbolic reinterpretation using the Durchbruch technique, where stone is pierced entirely through, much like tracery found in cathedral windows. I carved it out of a beautiful grey limestone called Thüster Kalkstein, chosen for its fine grain and strength.
From the beginning, I knew I wanted to create something using a Durchbruch. But I didn’t want to follow the path everyone else had taken. I started with the idea of a simple window, which eventually evolved into a submarine-style portal — an unexpected blend of ancient craftsmanship and contemporary imagination. Because it was so untraditional, I faced some pushback. In response, I ensured the design could be precisely communicated and replicated. Every curve and wave was made measurable and replicable. No guesswork. The instructions, blueprint, and stone could be sent anywhere in the world, and someone could recreate it without ever speaking to me. It was as much a test of design clarity and communication as it was of carving skill. These designs were presented to the judges and they decided if my idea would be satisfactory. With their green-light I ordered the stone that would become the proof of everything I had learned the past three years.
The work was done entirely with hand tools, and we were given 40 hours to complete it. I faced a serious challenge early on. While working on the Durchbruch, I was swinging my hammer too hard in an attempt to make quick progress. One side of the stone cracked. Though the entire piece remained in whole, the crack was deep and dangerous — if it spread to the other side, I would have automatically failed. I was allowed to continue, but with the warning that if it split any further, I’d be disqualified. From that point on, I had to clamp the stone together and work more cautiously, at a slower pace than ideal.
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| The finished Gesellenstück |
Ultimately, I wasn’t able to finish the piece within the 52-hour limit. I was docked points for that — but I still passed. The stone was glued back together with an Epoxy that is normally used to fix hairline cracks in countertops. The Epoxy was very thin and worked its way deep into the stone stabilizing the piece. Despite the setback, my execution of the waves and fine detailing proved my skills, creativity, and ability to work under pressure.
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| Here the stabilizing Epoxy can be seen. |
More than anything, the
Gesellenstück taught me the value of patience. Trying to rush cost me time and nearly the project. I came away from the experience with a new respect for slow, deliberate work. In the end, I felt relief — not just for passing, but for having truly proved myself. I had shown that I could take a mistake, adapt, and still deliver quality. That’s what craftsmanship is really about.
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| A closer look at the waves visible through the "window". |
