Some days at Rosslyn are more kaleidoscopic than others, textures tumbling, patterns resolving then dissolving again, protean punch-lists pushing the limits of planning and patience, and ever evolving priorities and timelines. Nothing is constant except for change… Some days, many days lately, we’ve been solving and re-solving the paver puzzle.
No one ever steps in the same river twice…
— Heraclitus
This evening I doff my proverbial hat to Pam, Tony, and Calvin who are essaying to braid stone into a seamless tapestry, solving the paver puzzle to ensure that the slowly emerging icehouse courtyard looks as if it belongs, as if it’s been anchoring this outdoor living environment for decades, perhaps even centuries.
In the big picture, these three (with help from Aaron) are designing a smooth and stable floor out of paving stones in a semi-random pattern that echoes the romantic feel of the repurposed stone walls.
We are laying hundreds upon hundreds of tumbled stone pavers, creating what will become a seamless carpet of stone.
(Source: Stone Paving Icehouse Courtyard)
An outdoor carpet that will define an outdoor “room” while integrating stone walls, landscape, and built environment. Sounds easy, right? And yet, as is the case with most seemingly simple tasks, the process is anything but easy.
Successful installation of the stone pavers depends upon leveling the base course, tamping and leveling a finer substrate, re-leveling, and then installing stone-by-stone a mosaic of 6×6, 6×12, and 12×12 paving stones… It’s not an easy task, but paving achievements are super rewarding.
(Source: Stone Paving Icehouse Courtyard)
And yet, day-by-day, while juggling myriad other projects (such as coordinating with the Town of Essex crew who are currently replacing the sidewalks in front of Rosslyn), this team of creative collaborators and determined hard workers are transforming my vision into Rosslyn’s future.
We are so proud of you all! Thank you.
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