Rugo News

Eleven projects were honored with the Pinnacle Awards of Excellence 2025. This internationally renowned prize recognizes exceptional creativity, beauty, originality, and craftsmanship in the use of natural stone in commercial and residential applications.

Go behind the scenes of the Trinity Dome at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception—America’s largest church. This full documentary captures Rugo Stone’s award-winning engineering and mosaic craftsmanship on one of the most complex, historic, and sacred projects in U.S. construction history.

In this Elevate the Industry interview, Brett Rugo shares how he rose from laborer to founder of one of the region’s top stone firms. His story highlights the power of passion, mentorship, and craftsmanship in building a lasting legacy.

Rugo Stone’s expert marble craftsmanship helped bring the sacred vision of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus to life—where classical beauty meets enduring faith in the American South.

Discover how Rugo Stone’s craftsmanship and technical expertise helped relocate “Marabar”—a monumental granite installation—across Washington, DC. Renamed “Sudama,” this iconic work by artist Elyn Zimmerman found new life at American University, thanks to the meticulous planning, stone restoration, and logistical excellence led by the Rugo Stone team.

The stunning, bronze statue of Christ the King was installed at Christendom’s new chapel on Thursday, June 29, taking its place as the centerpiece of the piazza outside the chapel.

The mosaic installed in the Narthex floor as part of the Nave renovation, stemmed from the idea of including meaningful symbolism as a visible representation of the values of the parish.

Rugo Stone wins three 2021 Pinnacle Awards from the Natural Stone Institute and Brett Rugo is recognized with the 2021 Migliore Award for Lifetime Achievement also from NSI.

Oberlin, OH, February 15, 2022—Brett Rugo (Rugo Stone) has received the 2021 Migliore Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Brett Rugo accepts the Grande Pinnacle Award in Verona, Italy.

Rugo Stone is awarded the 2020 Grande Pinnacle Award for their Trinity Church Wall Street Altar & Chancel Restoration project.

Natural stone was a key component in the design of the new National Museum of the United States Army, which tells the Army’s story through an individual’s eyes

The 2019 Palladio Award for Restoration and Renovation goes to John G. Waite Associates, Architects for the Rotunda at the University of Virginia.

Sacred Heart Cathedral is a celebration of stone and craftsmanship that shines through in the detailing.

Rugo Stone is one of ten stone projects recognized by the CID awards, for the Trinity Dome project.

19th Century Stone Church Receives New Façade

The Trinity Dome mosaic completes the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

The shrine’s new Trinity Dome ‘is a nice way to finish’ for Italian mosaic artist.

Cardinal Wuerl dedicates the largest dome at the basilica.

Granite provides a high standard of elegance, subtle security and quiet permanence for a new Washington, DC landmark

Perched high above Augusta Street in downtown Staunton, Virginia, St. Francis of Assisi welcomes parishioners and guests from this modest community of 24,000 residents.

Award of Excellence: Renovation / Restoration

Builders, church leaders, choirmembers and journalists gathered atop eight floors ofscaffolding ­­ 159 feet high ­­ in the Basilica of the NationalShrine of the Immaculate Conception Oct. 28 for the blessing ofthe workspace where a new mosaic will be installed on theshrine's Trinity Dome.

It was a holy moment at high altitude.

Italian workers will soon begin to tile the mosaic of the Trinity Dome at D.C.’s Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

This winter, a team of artists will begin installing the basilica's final artwork in its central and largest dome.

Motivated by the resurgence of the Fashion District and the building’s unique history, an architectural team restored the ornate facade of the base of New York City’s Fashion Tower, while sensitively incorporating a contemporary stone lobby

The church that sits high above Augusta Street was covered up and a mystery to all those who passed by for nearly a year.

Rugo Stone's Jimmy Ternent, VP of Construction, has been awarded "Craftsman of the Year" by MIA.

It is no exaggeration to name the Marble Institute of America (MIA) the "firefighter for the worldwide stone branch."