Cutting Edge Residential Porphyry Project
Posted by Roger Murphy on Mon, Aug 22, 2011 @ 09:12 AM
This weeks project is residential and features a stylistically advanced porphyry paver design that combines features of patio, garden, walkway and art. The design and installation is by Kevin Avants of Avant Gardens in Santa Fe.
This space, in the rear of the home has multiple levels for living and entertaining and the context of the courtyard area has some Legorreta+Legorreta overtones.
The project uses 8" x Random Length X 2-1/2" to 3" thick Copper Mountain Porphyry throughout. In the area to be combined with turf, the radiating and intersecting lines were preformed with wooden forms and a rich mortar mixture was created inside those areas to set the Porphyry on. The curved voids in the paving surface follow the stairway radius and they are bisected with lines that follow the courtyard lines from the house to the rear wall.
The grout is rigid mortar that allows for a very strong sandwich of mortar bedding layer, stone and grout.
Sprinklers were installed in the turf channels along with a soil mixture and then the turf.
The finished project with the turf channels installed and the solid areas around the porphyry pavers has contemporary lines and elements next to the earthen warmth of adobe and stone foundations.
Porphyry's composition determines its high compression strength, resistance to stains, slip resistance, and high freeze/thaw ratings. The stone is the most popular paver in Europe, and is favored for its flexibility in design, beauty, durability and low maintenance requirements. The stone is by far one of the most durable pavers in the world. These materials are available in North America through Milestone Imports. Information at www.milestoneimports.com
