Was most likely done in a simple plywood outer form with a second inside form to create a hollow center. Could be done with almost any kind of mix, but I'd guess that one is a lightweight concrete/mortar. I've seen similar work about ten feet tall (some very cool columns) done with a "sliding form". One that is just tall enough to cover two or three feet at a time. All you do is dump in a layer of mortar...then a layer of whatever "strata" material you want. This one looks like Colorado river rock (or a lightweight fake version of it), but you can use just about anything. The trick is to design the inner form to accomodate a backup fill of mortar to hold the "face" material in place. With the sliding form system, you let the first layers set firmly...then just slide the form up as much as you want for the next layer...then keep repeating til it's as tall as you want or it collapses and crushes you. I'd opt for a reasonable height, myself. 'Course you can make a single form the height you want, but on a tall feature, setting the strata in place gets a little trickier. Especially the ones on & near the bottom, but it can be done that way as well.

You can also build some mighty nice looking walls using this stacked material technique by moving the form sideways. Another advantage this system has for walls is that everything gets done in one pass. Otherwise you have to set and mortar every stone or whatever individually. This way you just basically dump'em in on the front of the form and back'em up with the mortar/'crete in one pass. On either version you can make the visible mortar layer as thick or thin as you like, or eliminate it and make the outer face a solid mass of whatever material you choose.

That's my guess and I'm stickin' to it.

Is it me, or is that thing plug-ugly?

What are you guys seeing? Was there a picture posted?

You said it, Running Dog. Looks like a mass-produced version and it really doesn't flatter.

It has a bit of a primitive look to it. Maybe it would be cool in an "untamed" sort of landscape.

I like the idea of layering crete, then cool rocks, then crete, but I think I would put some sort of pattern on the crete itself so it isnt so "I"m a chunk of crete" looking.

Am I the only one who can't see any picture or link?

Hi echos,
I like it too, but it is a little odd

Tango
What was it you do next?
This is hypertufa, can I keep going up or should it all be done at once.

How high can you go with hypertufa? What thickness do you need for what height?

{{gwi:66982}}

The columns I saw were made with concrete mortar and must have been at least 10 - 12 feet tall and supported a pergola type roof structure. I was told they were internally reinforced with several (4 ?)pieces of schedule 40 galvanized pipe set into concrete. The pattern was similar to the fountain in that it was layered 'crete and "stuff", but had more small stones in the mix along with marbles, old chrome plated auto parts and a little ceramic tile here & there as I recall. Pretty wild. As for the engineering of something like that with 'Tufa mixes, I'll have to leave that one to the good folks here who are much more experienced in that area. And regarding the wall thickness I can't say, since I only saw them after the fact and the builder wasn't there, but I'd guess the stones and such were backed with just a couple of inches of mortar that was tied to the pipe. But don't quote me...I'm just guessing.

Thanks Tango.
I'll !!BORROW!!! some of my hubbies pipe when he's at work and see if I can use it for support like in crete.
Debbie

Daisy, hopefully this will help. I included the url.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a177/EchoesEchos/Garden%20Show%202006/MVC-682F.jpg

For some reason I was thinking of this slipform building site after reading Tango's description.

Here is a link that might be useful: slipform building

I'm having trouble finding your pics Echo.

Cool house Daisy.
Thanks for the link
~Debbie~