The Modern Stone Age

THE MODERN STONE AGE

The Stone Work of Hector Santos Renaissance Publishing

By Hector Santos

THE MODERN STONE AGE

Contents Chapter 1 Walls

2

Classy Structure Endurance Tight Space Cold Temperatures

4 6 8 10

Chapter 2 Steps

12

Rise and Run Examples Spirals More Tight Spaces

15 16 18 20

Chapter 3 Flat Work

22

Examples Water Issues

24 26

Chapter 4 Fire

30

Examples Simple Smoothing the Joints

32 34 36

Chapter 5 Veneer

40

Epic Veneer Another Epic Veneer

42 46

Chapter 6 Sculpture

48

My Sculpture Explained Neolithic Inspiration Embrace Doughnuts Piece of Cake Hole in One

50 52 56 58 60 62

Chapter 7 Wall Sculpture

64

My Wall Sculpture Explained

66

Random Notes and Thoughts

79

Of all of the aspects of practical stone masonry, dry laid wall building is the most relaxing. These walls are what got me into this whole mess.

WALLS

Butternut Lane Retaining Walls Taftsville, Vermont

T

ight space. This two-tier retaining wall was done late in the summer of 2005. The existing retaining wall was constructed of six-by-six hemlock timbers, and these were decomposing. The embankment was sliding towards the garage, so stone was called to the rescue.

This project was extremely challenging. When I started, I had access to two sides: the front and the back of the garage. I had only inches of room to move within. On either side of the excavator was the garage or the embankment. I had no access from the top, because of the placement of the existing house. The excavation consisted of a trench that went into the ground about two feet. That resulted in an embankment that towered ten to eleven feet above me, with the foundation of the house about twelve to fourteen feet from the edge of the embankment.

It was nerve-wracking. A good hard rain could have caused the embankment to fill the excavated footing, and I would have to start all over. Fortunately, it was dry that summer. After the footing was dug, I filled it with three-inch ledge stone and compacted it. I built the first tier with no problems and started on the second. Then, life became really challenging. I had access from only one side now. I built a small road to get to the second tier. Then, I dug another footing and worked backward. It was very slow going and took longer than I expected. But, as you can see, these walls are never going anywhere: some of the stones weigh up to five or six hundred pounds and tie back into the wall two to four feet.

Before

During

After

9

Doing patios grinds down your fingernails and leaves your back and knees feeling like a crusty old stone mason.

10

FLAT WORK

My wall sculptures are a thin slice of my landscape sculptures. They are a great way to make the outdoor environment part of your indoor life.

12

WALL SCULPTURE 13

“Rush” 20" x 20" Stone on Painted Wood

14

“Pin Point” 27" x 20" Cut Stone

“Weaving Stone” 20" x 27" Cut Stone