Time and Detail: Why these are two key factors when planning a heritage stonemasonry project
Steve Byrne, Master Mason and Senior Estimator at AF Jones outlines why working with new techniques and methods alongside old skills and installations means paying careful attention to timescales and detail – and demands a thorough understanding of the unique nature of each building requiring work, care and attention.
21st Century Stonemasonry – Arts, Crafts & Technology
The debate about the influence of increasing technology and mechanisation, and whether it detracts from the arts and crafts aspects of stonemasonry, is ever present and will continue forever. With five generations of continuous operation spanning three centuries, A F Jones Stonemasons have a perspective on this issue that few others can boast. Even […]
The Directors’ Cut: Woburn Abbey Green Parlour Natural Stone Staircase
A Natural Stone Staircase for Woburn Abbey: The Director’s Cut showcases our Project Managers and Directors work on a project of their choice. They describe the key issues and the solutions needed to bring a project to successful completion. This week, Steve Byrne, our Senior Estimator and Master Mason at AF Jones talks us through […]
Stonemasonry in 30 objects: A Banker
Jul 13, 2023 Today is the first in a series of posts: Stonemasonry in 30 objects. We want to celebrate the old, the new, the technological and the traditional – so we’re featuring images of one object a week from our AF Jones workshops in Ipsden, Oxfordshire. If you’re in the industry, you’ll recognise many […]
Stonemasonry in 30 objects: A ball finial
Jul 13, 2023 Stonemasonry in 30 objects Week 13/30: Ball finials – an iconic shape in stonemasonry Learning to cut this shape represents a rite of passage for any stonemason apprentice in their final year and at AF Jones we ensure that this skill remains available in our workshop alongside the precision cutting option. A […]
Stonemasonry in 30 objects: A maquette
Jul 13, 2023 Stonemasonry in 30 objects Week 17/30 A Maquette Maquettes have been used for centuries in Fine Art sculpting to visualise the finished product or piece – from Michelangelo’s famed wax miniatures through to Barbara Hepworth’s maquettes across multiple materials – and despite the advances in computer modelling technology, they still have a relevant […]
Stonemasonry in 30 objects: carved stone capitals
Stonemasonry in 30 objects. Week 21/30 – Capitals: This week’s object is one of the most iconic and well-known features of finished architecture – the capital. Today, their decorative features have superseded their load bearing function in many cases, acting as decorative finished to steel and brick load bearing structure. At the AF Jones workshops […]
Heritage Stonemasonry: Three aspects to consider when setting scope on heritage projects
Heritage Stonemasonry: establishing the broad scope of your project at an early stage is essential. Steve Byrne, Master Mason and estimator at AF Jones Stones Heritage on the three simple questions that can help define your direction the start of a stone heritage project.
Stone Sourcing and Selection: The number one question about stone as a natural product
Richard Thompson, our Design Lead and CAD Technician talks through one of the early stage issues for specifiers and architects to cover in their project planning and design process – and why it’s important to talk to a stonemason at the earliest of stages for more effective design choices using natural stone.
Time and Detail: Why these are two key factors when planning a heritage stonemasonry project
Steve Byrne, Master Mason and Senior Estimator at AF Jones outlines why working with new techniques and methods alongside old skills and installations means paying careful attention to timescales and detail – and demands a thorough understanding of the unique nature of each building requiring work, care and attention.