Our Masons Rock!
By Karen Adams

The exterior sheathing is up and rock work is well underway at the Sustainable Concept House in Boerne. South Central Texas is blessed with an abundance of limestone that comes in a variety of colors and characteristics, and this house will feature a basic limestone from a nearby quarry.  

We met Luis Robles, our mason from Fredericksburg, to discuss types of stone applications and he gave us several photos and ideas. We agreed that we liked the coursing look—a continuous level of masonry that runs across the entire house with different sizes from top to bottom. The result is a clean and beautiful application that speaks to this project: local use of material and manpower, and also the area’s German heritage. 

The Natural Home magazine 2009 Show House is made from native limestone that is locally quarried in the Texas Hill Country.

Luis and his crew not only bring high craftsmanship to the project, they add creativity to it as well.  Luis brought us out to Davis Stone and Landscaping Yard outside of Fredericksburg last to look at different stone samples that will be used for privacy, landscaping and outdoor living area walls.  He and his associate Bryan Davis showed us piles and piles of “waste rock” that came from 30 years of rock work in the area.  Because they both understand that sustainability comes in many forms, they suggested that we use the “waste rock” for the rock walls. We are because part of sustainability is re-use and recycle—it is looking beautiful by the way. 

Doing business with such thoughtful and creative partners is what has made this project so rewarding. If you are in the area, come by and take a look at Luis’ work…it is beautiful, sustainable and is at the heart of this project!