Materials Science is basically the study of chemistry, application and surface physics. It can be utilized to create some beautiful and functional decor. Combined with intricate design, well engineered moulds and casting techniques; this Byzantine staircase is an example of an HPC (high performance concrete) medium. This project resides in Buckhead, Atlanta.

Jonathan has completed projects in Atlanta, New York, Chicago and Florida. He originated with a triple major in Biology, Chemistry and Physics and attended a PhD program in Molecular Biophysics. His passion is architecture from the Baroque and Gothic eras. Utilizing the chemistry background allowed for the creation of casting mediums and custom tools for realizing architectural elements and decor. The biology helped with sculpture of living form and the physics aided engineering.

The downtown area of Springfield, Missouri, has several elegant trees in their own 'open soil' section of the sidewalk. Rain, wind and foot traffic make it difficult to keep the compost and soil contained in the tree basin. An attractive system to contain the organic material is possible.

This solution is going to use the Open Cell Polymer Aggregate system for a tree skirt to contain the compost and soil along the walkway. The OCPA allows for free passage of water, evaporation resistance and soil protection. As well as protection of the tree's base.

The skirt needs to be four 24" square sections, 4' square installed, with a inner round of 18" for the tree shaft (allowing for shaft growth). This possible skirt design detail is inspired by Gothic profiling.

The cast is going to be in one quarter sections and adhered radially on the edges with similar color NP1 urethane. A quick look at it in 3d allows for optimization of the profile detail.

An advantage of Polymer Aggregate Systems is capturing the inherent beauty of natural resources. For this project, we are considering the cast in river gravel and white glacier stone.

The existing compost application. The tree is on S Market St by the Hollywood Theatre.

The view of the tree skirt utilizing the glacier stone. It completely covers the walkway pocket.

The aggregate is glacier stone. It is generally smooth edged and about 3/16" average size.

The existing compost application. The tree is on S Market St by the Artisan Elements.

The view of the tree skirt utilizing the river gravel. It completely covers the walkway pocket.

View with brown river gravel skirt design

The aggregate is brown river gravel. It is smooth edged and about 1/4"" average size.

In open landscaping, rock or shaped cast stone ringed around a tree's base inevitably leans and scatters due to hydrostatic pressure against the solid surfaces or root push. A solution is to use the Open Cell Polymer Aggregate system in a closed unit.

This current project is going to use the OCPA system for a tree apron. The open cell nature allows for free passage of water eliminating the hydrostatic pressure, evaporation resistance and compost/soil protection. As well as protection of the tree's base.

The apron is going to be a ring 40-1/2" diameter, with a inner round of 20-1/2 for the tree shaft (allowing for shaft growth). The ring detail is inspired by Palladian profiling.

The cast is going to be in 1/6th ring sections and adhered radially on the edges with similar color NP1 urethane. A quick look at it in 3d allows for optimization of the profile detail.

An advantage of Polymer Aggregate Systems is capturing the inherent beauty of natural resources. For this project, we are going to cast in rose quartzite, river gravel and granite.

Rose quartzite with Japanese maple.

River gravel with river birch.

Black granite trap with cherry.

We had a client request for an ultralite medium to substitute a cast urethane foam panel simulating a rock wall. The urethane panels have to be painted to look like natural stone which was tedious and time consuming; adding considerable cost.

The ultralite approach was the choice of recycled expanded glass aggregate. It is has very low density. Then, treated with the open cell polymer aggregate approach. The casting technique allowed for no post production painting, with natural stone finish.

Natural stone is tricky to sculpt, so the best solution is to stamp water based clay (WED clay is good) with actual stones. The clay was shaped with general contours first (and mortar joints), then texture stamped. A PETG plastic mould was vacuum formed over the surface. Yes, one can vacuum form over soft water based clay . . . very sexy.

The ultralite expanded glass was cast in two sessions in the vacuum formed mould. The first session included the stone color with multiple dyes at different ratios 'toss' blended lightly. The second session was the mortar color required. The first session adheres to the second, permanently.