Custom builder Cruz Built brushed up on his geometry and chose English Edge Autumn pavers by Pine Hall Brick Company and natural Tennessee stone in this unusual porch project in the Sedgefield Country Club neighborhood of Greensboro, North Carolina.
Cruz Built owner Sam Cruz is proof positive that yes, you actually do need to understand a compass and a protractor.
His recent custom build for a retiring architect called for a porch that swoops out in a wide radius from the front of the home. And it also qualifies as an elevated patio, because the surface is English Edge Autumn clay pavers.
Master mason Armando Itehua had to cut dozens of pavers to achieve the wide radius of the porch/patio edge!
“The geometry is not one we see too often – it removes the comforts of right angles,” said Cruz.
“This patio is floating on steel beams, corrugated metal, and lots of concrete to establish a solid foundation. It’s very distinctive because that unique geometry is also followed by a very demanding pattern: herringbone.”
Cruz found that every paver depended on the last, and adding a bend to the equation only raised the stakes higher, so it takes lots of detailed planning and forward thinking.
“I worked for a couple of local builders after college before ultimately going off on my own with the goal of taking custom projects to the next level.
“In a natural stone, every piece is unique – it cannot be recreated. In a world of composites, the individuality of each piece is the attraction,” said Cruz.
Cruz came by his craft honest, because it’s in his family.
The wall caps were custom-carved from Tennessee stone to finish the rustic porch front.
“I grew up as the son of a tradesman and developed an early appreciation for the precision and craftsmanship behind quality construction—masonry included,” said Cruz.
The swooping porch not only needed precision in the paver cuts, but the caps on the other edge had to be custom-cut from Tennessee stone by a consummate masonry craftsman.
“We subcontract every aspect of our work, partnering exclusively with specialists in each trade so that no area of the project is lacking. Our brick mason, Armando Itehua of Brickhunter Masonry, is so talented, and we are thankful for his patience in doing things with our fun spin on it.”
“I learned early on the importance of craftsmanship, attention to detail, and doing things the right way,” said Cruz.
“Today, we bring that same mindset to every project, working with trusted trade partners and specialists to deliver high-quality, intentional builds.”
