Abstract
In my late twenties I was a general contractor of custom homes. One day, while walking with the architect on an inspection of the jobsite, we stopped at something that clearly displeased him – the foundation being built out of field stones from the property. In giving voice to his dissatisfaction with the mason, he explained about the importance of the ‘physical mass of the stones’, ‘the receding elements of their multiple forms’ and ‘the transition from the rich and irregular organic materials of the New England farm field to the turn of the century geometry of the Shingle Style structure’. He summed up, ‘It must look as though it were supporting everything, literally growing out of the ground’. When he was done with his eloquent explanation, the mason turned to me and asked, ‘What the *#&% did he just say?’
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