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AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Columns and Pilasters
Pre-cast, sectional concrete pillars.
Tomorrow's Ruins...today.
As alluded to in Walls, masonry columns and wall sections are history's footnotes. They are explicit in telling a story of all that once was; of those that came before us, leaving their mark on the landscape. As an exterior designer I have the opportunity to manifest such ideas within our visceral world - in this case, mimicry. A faux illustration of what 'may have been', on this site.
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More often through, I attempt to sculpt & build in masonry in such a way that remnants of my walls and structures will 'present' themselves in the far-away future as tomorrow's ruins.
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It's a simple methodology: overbuilt footings, strategically placed expansion joints that might follow the stepped courses of block construction, and adding additional rebar & grout to designated wall sections.
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There are 'how to' examples everywhere. Just take a close look at a ruins, say a castle or a fort or cathedral. What happened? A fire that took out the raftered roof, or termites which ate though the abandoned window and door lentils.
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When those wooden structural elements fail, then the three-little-pig's house comes crashing down. Thereafter, over time, masonry and metal building materials are scavenged to build with once again; which reminds me of another really exciting topic,
Re-Purposed Salvage.
Weathering will take its toll as well, on these historical fragments.
Wallah, a ruin...
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Entry column.
Mortar-set & grouted.
Mixed quarry stone.
Terminal pilaster at end of straw-bale wall.
CMU block & stucco with
inlay-ed tile address marker.
Integration of design elements.
Taking the indoor, Out...
Pre-cast, sectional concrete.
Integration of design elements.
Taking the outdoor, In...
Pre-cast, sectional concrete.
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