The Owner Built Home & Homestead
(Page 6 of 15)
T he stone wall-panel illustrated here is an example of
better-than-average masonry. The rock forms are
natural—and thus restful—and rock sizes are
pleasingly proportioned to the total size of the panel.
Triangular, square and various other shapes are
thoughtfully distributed to create a dynamic, readable
composition. Deeply recessed joints assist
the eye in its movement and re-grouping experience.
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The most obvious re-grouping consists of rocks 3, 11, 12,
10, 27, 18, 26 and 29. A readable directional quality is
attained without lining-up joints. Notice how rock 34
breaks the joint line between 19 and 33, 14 and 21, 6 and
16 and 8. Vitality is also achieved by strategically
placing triangular forms such as rocks 24, 11 and 30. The
downward pointing apex adds a dynamic "unbalanced" aspect
to the composition.
A final feature that qualifies this panel for professional
status is the thoughtful placement of base, corner and top
rock courses. Top corner rock 25, for instance, is more
massive than bottom corner rock 1. Base rocks 1 and 2 are
powered over by corner rock 9. Top rock 30 compliments its
lower neighbor rock 32, thereby creating a re-grouping
which consists of rocks 30, 32, 20 and part of 18.
A few detractive criticisms of this panel may also be in
order: Rock 43 is the only spall, or fragment, used even
though places exist for at least a half-dozen more, such as
between rocks 8 and 16 and between rocks 13 and 12. Notice
how beautifully spall 43 intergrates neighboring rocks 33,
38, 24 and 21. Corner rock 37 should never have been used:
The top slope makes it difficult to set the next corner
rock 39. The top corner rock 40 adds further to this
conflict: Its effect is to wedge rock 39 out at the top
while at the same time it appears to be slipping from its
bed. The left-hand side of this panel has much more
stability and grace than the right-hand side.
The sequence of rock laying is indicated numerically:
Notice that one begins at the left-hand corner and works to
the right. Corners are always set first and interior spaces
then filled in. Generally larger rocks are set first, with
smaller ones filled in around them. It is simpler to fit
smaller rocks around large ones than it is to find a place
for a large one.
Large rock 26, for instance, is bedded on rocks 17 and 18
and small rock 27 is set after the cavity has been fully
defined. Top rock 30 is temporarily propped into position
so that the top is level with the top of the wall. A filler
rock (32) is then found to fit the cavity. Small rocks,
especially spalls (see 43), are always set after the larger
rocks are in place.
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