Austin State Hospital001 ASH hires ASH (Austin State Hospital) hires (Ash Masonry Masterworks) Restoration Project.Austin State Hospital002 Austin State Hospital was built in 1857 It is considered a Historical Landmark by the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.Austin State Hospital A3 This famous facility is also a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.Austin State Hospital003 A Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and established as a Texas State Antiquities Landmark as well.Austin State Hospital004 The Architectural Style is done as Classical Revival. And great lengths are taken to preserve this Landmark, including contractual work needed.Austin State Hospital005 When major restorations were needed Austin State Hospital found qualified experts to do the job.Austin State Hospital006 Ash Masonry Masterworks would be the best choice based on their research. Brian Ash and his team would begin with plans to Restore a Classic Stone Arch.Austin State Hospital007 Ash Masonry Masterworks are experts with a wealth of experience, masonry knowledge and the needed tools of the trade.Austin State Hospital008 Ash Masonry brought the needed power equipment to tackle some of the Arch’s Mammoth Stones.Austin State Hospital009 In addition Masonry requires very unique specific stone fitting techniques which can require cutting complex patterns in the block or stone.Austin State Hospital010 To restore a Historic Arched walkway is no easy task, and so the first challenge or phase is to remove the old one.Austin State Hospital A12 Forklifts were needed just to carry a lot of the massive antique stones that came from the dismantling the dilapidated ancient archway.Austin State Hospital011 Great care and caution is needed when dismantling the stones from a Historic dilapidated Archway. Austin State Hospital A14 And when your also in charge of ensuring this Historic Landmark maintains its providance.Austin State Hospital A15 There was a massive amount of very heay old giant Antique Stones.Austin State Hospital A17 Being especially careful with some of the more challenging piesces like the fragile but deadly heavy old stepping stones and every other part you could possibly imagine.Austin State Hospital012 Massive stones and pieces had to be taken out one by one, some heavy enough to warrant using a fork lift to move them.Austin State Hospital A19 The next phase of the project was to rebuild the archway so this must be done in different phasesAustin State Hospital013 The next phase was to set a small retaining wall needed to provide a base for supporting the structure of the Stone Archway.Austin State Hospital014 Next phase building the core of the steps, and filling them solidAustin State Hospital A22 Every block or stone laid must be done with a precise and accurate position it’s in the best interest of both Ashes to see the bigger picture at the end of the road.Austin State Hospital014 The first block s placed for the nest phase and everything gets built up from hereAustin State Hospital015 Ash Masonry Masterworks is known for their excellent quality of work, it may take a little extra effort but it is worth it.Austin State Hospital016 As a rule of thumb Ash Masonry believes to double and triple check our work to make sure we can avoid a more costly mistake later.Austin State Hospital017 They take shape and form and are nearly ready to be filled solid. Austin State Hospital017 After filling the foundation with cement this part of the restoration has at least been completed.Austin State Hospital024 Austin State Hospital023 Again it’s the finer parts of the details that really set Ash Masonry Masterworks ahead of the competition. Austin State Hospital A32 The next phase is actually building a level strong beautiful inner arch wall that will be able to hold the weight of the structure.Austin State Hospital 018 So row for the inside base walls of the Arch rows of stones are stacked one by one to begin this phase of the restorationAustin State Hospital019 These stones are much bigger and heavier than regular sized blocks, so it takes artistic craftsmanship to pull off such great work.Austin State Hospital020 When the wall reaches the top of the steps and to be prepared for the next phase of the restoration it must then be back-filled. Austin State Hospital021 You can see that even though most people will not actually see this inside face of the wall, Ash Masonry sill uses precise joints.Austin State Hospital022 It can be rest assured that the team of Ash Masonry Masterworks prefer get it done the best way possible.Austin State Hospital024 Before the next phase Ash Masonry will construct scaffold to support the giant stones used in the reconstruction and restoration of thel Archway.