AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO LANDSCAPE DESIGN

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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