Thesis: Siqi Zhao

Desert masonry is a construction method developed by Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin West, presenting a distinctive approach in which stones are embedded directly into concrete without intermediary bonding agents. This study focuses on two primary components of the system—face stone and concrete—whose direct contact and exposure to environmental conditions make them critical to the system’s performance. Unlike conventional stone veneers that rely on adhesives or mechanical anchors, desert masonry offers a distinct case for understanding the behavior of stone-concrete interactions.