Masonry Magazine June 2006 Page. 30
Hardscaping
Allen Civic Plaza, Dee Brown Inc.
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the project was unusual and the outcome of this proj was outstanding Buddie Barnes, president and CEO of Dee Brown Inc.. standing, but you just never know what the judges will be looking for. There are the judges who look for the clean and very basic in design, and there are the judges who tend to look for the unusual and very creative designs."
In their discussion of the Allen Civic Plaza, the judges noted the masons' achievements, calling the project, "A plaza worthy of highest award recognition. Huge stones, wandering paths and spacious grass areas are thoughtfully arranged with beautiful geometry. The heavy stones are beautifully hewn and carefully fit a tribute to the masons."
Lower masan fatigue with high performance masonry Goldberg, the artist and sculptor, said he designed the plaza to look like it was rising out of the limestone strata. Rob Barnes said he also had another objective. "One of Mr. Goldberg's design goals was, when it was done, that it look like it should have always been there."
Another 2006 award winner, Forrest & Associate's Felice, was recognized for the natural look of his project. "The combination of cut stone, rough uncut stone, and water create a very tranquil destination," the judges said. "The stones look as if Mother Nature carefully placed them."
Like his colleagues, Felice took pride in his work and was thrilled to be recognized by his peers. "We were proud of the project and honored that we won," Felice said. "We're very grateful to the judges."
Although Bounds, who won an award in 2005, is equally proud of the Aggie Bonfire Memorial, it's not a project he boasts about. He said the memorial should honor the victims, not the contractors.
Standing at the memorial, Bounds once overheard a young boy ask his mother how the massive stones were put in place. He was tempted to explain, but didn't. That was the closest he ever came to taking credit for the project. While respecting the humbling nature of this project, the judges noted his masonry accomplishments.
"The Aggie Bonfire Memorial displays the creative works of both the designer and contractor on this carefully planned memorial," they said. "The impressive portals some stones weighing up to 30,000 pounds each - were a feat of masonry skill to erect and reflect the spirit and dedication of the victims."
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June 2006
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