Photo courtesy of Alise O’Brien Photography

INTRODUCING: THE CASCADE MAUSOLEUM

At the historic Bellefontaine cemetery where some of the most notable St. Louisans have been laid to rest, the new Cascade Mausoleum has triumphantly emerged. This bold, contemporary structure, the first built in over 70 years, stands out amongst the traditional architecture across the sprawling 138 acre cemetery. Joining a team of incredibly talented architects, builders and designers, Masonmade is proud to have been part of this remarkable project.

THE STONE

When this concept was brought to Masonmade by Mitchell Wall Architecture + Design, there were several discussions regarding the best type of stone for this unique structure. Durability, beauty and longevity were the primary concerns, but the client was also passionate about using a natural stone that could be sourced within North America. The mausoleum was initially imagined with a black and white color pallet and a mixture of textures. Marble and granite were the obvious options - with the white stone being the more challenging selection of the two. While marble and granite are both tried-and-true stones, the white granite offered more strength and durability, with no concerns about it discoloring over time. Additionally, our Bethel White granite that was ultimately selected offers a tight grain and purity of color unlike any other white granites. For the black stone, granite was again the best option. The same geological properties that make our Cambrian Black granite impervious to weathering and deterioration allow it to sustain an intense polishing process that would give it the reflective property needed for the design.

Bethel White Granite
Quarried in Bethel, Vermont, Bethel White granite is commonly recognized as the standard that all other white granites must measure up to. It boasts an even grain and purity of color, with the ability to stay white in all weather conditions. Unlike marble, which can age more quickly due to the calcite content reacting to the acidity in the atmosphere, Bethel White granite resists oxidizing or rusting. Even when it is exposed to elements like acid rain, harsh temperature changes and pollution, the granite maintains its strength and white color.

Cambrian Black Granite
The historic Cambrian Black granite quarry is located in Saint-Nazaire, QC, Canada making it an ideal option given the North American requirement for this project. This timeless black granite is one of only a few in the world that do not require resin or dye to maintain its rich black tone even through different finishes. All of the black granite on the mausoleum was polished giving it a deep black reflective finish. The density and compressive strength of Cambrian Black make it ideal for structural applications and high traffic paving areas.

“Not only was [granite] a dense enough material to survive for eons in this climate, but it also provided us with many opportunities for texture and color.”
- Tom Wall, Mitchell Wall Architecture & Design

THE PROCESS

While Masonmade can support clients in a variety of ways, we prefer to be part of early conversations about how to bring your idea to life. The more information you share about design intent and structural goals, the better equipped we are for identifying products, uncovering efficiencies and predicting hurdles. For this project the owner and architect were incredibly collaborative from the outset, allowing us to provide recommendations and alternative solutions throughout the process. From initial concept, through design and planning, to installation, Masonmade worked hand-in-hand with the client and their entire construction team to ensure every detail of the Cascade Mausoleum was addressed correctly and as intended.

“[Masonmade] had extensive knowledge of the materials, including in depth scientific knowledge down to the molecular level. They knew what materials would work best. And I am not only referring to the species of stone, but also the best places to source it from. Masonmade came on site visits to quarries all over America and was invaluable in selecting the various blocks that would eventually become the mausoleum. It was only with their assistance that we were able to select the perfect stones for the job.”
- Tom Wall, Mitchell Wall Architecture & Design

Once material selections were confirmed, Masonmade spearheaded meetings with the architect, structural engineer, general contractor and mason. We worked together to identify site parameters and brainstorm installation techniques so the client would not have to concede on design details or timelines. The Cascade Mausoleum design was unique and highly complex in specific areas, requiring us to think outside of standard practices for procuring, cutting and transporting granite. Leveraging our quarry direct partnerships and specialized cut teams across the country, we customized a multi-location fabrication plan that allowed different parts of the project to be produced and delivered simultaneously.

The mausoleum is a concrete structure “clad” in granite. The design required a combination of stone elements including thinner cladding, solid blocks, monolithic steps and granite-clad arched openings on angled walls. Accent pieces included benches, sarcophagi, profiled hand rails and a cross all made from solid blocks of granite. Additionally, specific areas received different finishes including sandblast, flamed, polished and hand pitched.

“[The mausoleum] was installed in a sequence, similar to a Rubik’s Cube. All joints were continuous, left to right and up and down, with no interruption. Because of this the mason had to lay the stone in a specific order. Typically, we would fabricate material based what’s efficient for the fab plant. But this design required each elevation be complete before moving on, and each elevation had several different stone elements and finishes. We mapped out an installation plan with [Smith Masonry] and then strategically produced material that followed the order of installation. We were cutting and chronologically staging material for delivery in Canada, Vermont and Illinois all at the same time.”
- Steele Crissman, Masonmade Design + Supply

One of the most notable features of the mausoleum is the massive, custom-carved lion sculpture expertly crafted from a hand-selected block of Bethel White granite. Our team worked with renowned sculptor Abraham Mohler to bring this extraordinary vision to life. The lion sculpture process spanned over two years from stone selection to finished product.

Photo courtesy of Abraham Mohler

“Working with Steele at Masonmade was a fantastic confidence boost. I’ve worked a fair amount in granite, but hadn’t worked with Bethel White, nor had I worked with this quarry and the company that produces the blocks. Steele took the uncertainty out of the process and helped me select a great block at the quarry to execute this piece!”
- Abraham Mohler

Abraham and Steele visiting the quarry to select the block.

The block of Bethel White Granite

Early sketches of the lion sculpture. Abraham studied lion anatomy to get familiar with the shape.

Abraham making early cuts into the soon-to-be sculpture

The lion begins to take form.

Photos courtesy of Abraham Mohler

We are honored to have been part of this historic project, and humbled by the trust and partnership shown to us by our client. And we are ecstatic to be able to share the incredible finished product with you. This beautiful memorial was one of the most multifaceted and inspiring projects our team has worked on! We could not have done it without the collaboration and support of the many skilled partners who made this project a success.

If you are an architecture or design firm planning your own exquisite stone creation, we’d love to work with you. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help bring your vision to life.

THE DETAILS:

Bethel White | Granite | Bethel, VT

Cambrian Black | Granite | Saint-Nazaire, QC, Canada

CHECK IT OUT IRL!

Visitors are welcome to experience the Cascade Mausoleum at the Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis, MO.

Read on about this project on this STL NPR On Air feature.

Where else can you see these stones? The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History is clad in polished Bethel White granite. Cambrian Black granite paves the plaza that surrounds the Washington Monument.