Copper Mountain Porphyry pavers and cubes were chosen for the sidewalks, plaza and courtyard of the Dona Ana Village restoration. It is interesting that porphyry was not part of the original paving material at the site, but the beauty and physical characteristics became an easy choice. It blends perfectly in this historic context and will outlast any other material. Dona Ana was settled around 1650, by Spanish land grant settlers. It is on the famous Camino Real, The Royal Road. In 1854 Mexico sold this territory to the U.S. as part of the Gadsden Purchase.
Doña Ana County hired Conron & Woods to document and develop preservation plans for a compound of three 1840’s adobes in the historic Doña Ana Village just north of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Work included preparing detailed drawings of these existing structures, photographic documentation, and the preparation of a detailed condition assessment report for two of the buildings. In addition, Conron & Woods assisted the County in developing a Master Plan for the compound, which is in the core of this village which is on the National Register. A careful collaboration with the State Historic Preservation Office was required.
Work also included creating an adaptive design for the famous De La O Saloon building for use as a Visitor Center and community space, design for a public restroom building, stabilization and preservation design for the Wertheim Store and the Carrillo Residence, and construction administration. Stabilization work drew on many traditional construction methods. The completed De La O building is now covered with lime plaster instead of previously-used cementitious coatings which trapped moisture in the historic adobe bricks and endangered the structure of the building.
The compound will soon become home to the local farmers’ market and will play a role in contemporary community life. Future phases will outfit the Wertheim and Carrillo buildings for retail or other community use, with the intention of bringing life back to these long unused buildings at the heart of Doña Ana Village. Milestone Imports consulted on the specifications with Conron & Woods as well as on-site consultation with the installer.
Conron & Woods
In addition to architecture and interior design, historic preservation is a specialty. Working throughout New Mexico and in 26 other states, Conron & Woods has helped states and other municipalities, as well as private owners, to preserve and protect their historically significant structures. Preservation work involves a unique combination of science and sensitivity, and requires documentation, decision-making, working with local approval entities, designing for code compliance, and in many cases, planning for on-going contemporary use. Conron & Woods has worked over many years with the State of New Mexico to protect such buildings as the 400-year-old Palace of the Governors in downtown Santa Fe. The work has won a number of awards spanning several decades.
3″ nominal and 4″ nominal cubes were combined to make these fan patterns.
After proper base course preparation, the key to installing the fan pattern is the laying out the strings, lines and chords that will guide the work.
Porphyry’s composition determines its high compression strength, resistance to stains, slip resistance, and high freeze/thaw ratings. The stone is the most popular paver in Europe, and is favored for its flexibility in design, beauty, durability and low maintenance requirements. ADA Compliant Porphyry pavers are also adaptable to a permeable paving set. The stone is by far one of the most durable pavers in the world. These beautiful materials are available from Milestone Imports. Milestone supports the creativity of architects, planners and designers. Porphyry offers surfaces of various finishes and mixed colorings, tending towards tones of grey, gold, violet and red, depending on where it is extracted. – www.milestoneimports.com
