Perennial Stone

The Labyrinth at UNE, Portland, Maine

Ethan — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:42:13 +0000

I was recently contracted to design and build this 5-circuit medieval labyrinth as a permanent installation for the University of New England. All the stone was hand-picked, and the lines of the design were trenched 10-12″ below grade, allowing room for the stone and a base of coarse sand. The result is a mosaic of flat-topped stones, the majority of which are buried for stability.
Because the space is in a wooded area of oak and pine, I decided to work with the existing environment and go with a natural pine needle path. The benches around the perimeter are made of larger versions of the labyrinth stone and flat granite slabs.
Located at the UNE Portland Campus on Stevens Avenue, the labyrinth is free and open to the public–follow the signs for the art gallery. Check it out!

Granite Steps, Scarborough, Maine

Ethan — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 22:27:11 +0000

Hand-split granite foundation stones from a 19th century farmhouse find new life in these front steps.

Granite Mailbox Post, Scarborough, Maine

Ethan — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 22:06:21 +0000

Hand-split granite with a simple black bracket

Granite Steps, Portland, Maine

Ethan — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 21:54:57 +0000

8′ granite steps with a granite flagstone landing make for a grand entrance at this stately West End home.

Reclaimed-Brick Patio, Yarmouth, Maine

Ethan — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 21:36:10 +0000

The bricks at this historic Yarmouth farmhouse are wicked old, each one a little different from the next. I went with the original basket-weave pattern and the result is an antique look with plenty of character.

Granite Walkway and Retaining Wall, Freeport, Maine

Ethan — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:41:06 +0000

This walkway was built with Green Mountain Granite, a 2-4″ thick granite flagstone, some pieces weighing over 500 lbs. Stones were collected from around the property for a drystone retaining wall, and old granite foundation stones were brought in for steps.

Reclaimed-Brick Patio, Cumberland Foreside, Maine

Ethan — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 20:25:40 +0000

The existing patios at this home were constructed without the proper base of crushed stone and stonedust, and as a result hadn’t fared well over the years. All the brick was taken up and set aside, a foot of dirt and sand dug out, and new base material brought in and compacted.
Working with the homeowner, I took the opportunity to alter the design and brick pattern. The walkway leading into the larger patio winds into a series of concentric circles, terminating in a flower-like radius. Because it was important the two spaces were distinct from one another, the smaller patio winds into a clockwise spiral.

Dry Stone Archway, Baldwin, Maine

Ethan — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 01:20:58 +0000

This granite arch was built with no mortar and no heavy equipment. Construction began 4 feet below ground for the foundation, and culminated 12 feet in the air with the keystone.

Using a chain hoist attached to a steel cable I was able to lift the larger stones into place. A wooden form holds the structure up during construction.

All the stone was collected on site from a nearby granite deposit. The keystone, which weighs roughly 1,000 lbs, presented its own unique challenge in elevation.

Fieldstone Retaining Wall, Bridgton, Maine

Admin — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 15:03:46 +0000

Maine fieldstone salvaged from an old collapsed wall and the surrounding property. The in-progress pictures show the essential structure of a dry stone wall: the weight of the stones directed inward, with large “through-stones” spanning the entire width. Small rocks or “hearting” fill any remaining gaps. Finally, heavy capstones hold the top in place.

Brick Driveway with Cedar Fence, Portland, Maine

Ethan — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:07:12 +0000

Built in Portland’s historic West End, this project was approved for construction by the Portland Historic Preservation Committee. New England red clay brick with a white cedar picket fence.