Lakeside Staircase: Integration & Cohesion

Perhaps epilogue to last Friday’s posts and railings update this interstitial chapter chronologically falls between railing rehab and an upcoming post on refinishing the all of the posts and railings so that everything will once again merge into an integrated, cohesive, and seamless whole. Chronologically, yes, but not only. To be clear, integration and cohesion are a sort of meta theme that spans not only the entire lakeside staircase rehab, but virtually everything Susan and I have undertaken (with the wisdom, industry, patience, and perseverance of so many others) during our almost 18-year historic rehabilitation of Rosslyn.

So today’s photo essay focuses on Peter’s completion of the lakeside staircase, marking a triumphant and much anticipated threshold, while inviting an overarching visual reflection on our quest to integrate Rosslyn’s vast collection of (often diverse) elements into a seamless and integrated whole.

First quick look back to where we left off last Friday.

Every post and railing… was carefully deconstructed by Tony and Glen 3-1/2 months ago, meticulously restored and refinished…, and is now being reinstalled with a superior structural skeleton to ensure safety and longevity.

[…] In cases where rot was too pervasive to extirpate and repair with dutchmen, etc. it was necessary to improvise more elaborate solutions to address both structural and aesthetic demands. Note the offset/staggered lap joints conjoining the railing components. (Source: Lakeside Staircase: Posts & Railings)

Integration and cohesion are the processes by which distinct parts are conjoined into a whole. In these photos, you see old railings and balusters repaired with red cedar dutchmen and “prosthetic” elements that have been cloned to match those they repair and/or replace. Peter’s new carpentry seamlessly “spliced” into the old permits the existing rails to resume their service.

I’m well aware that I have stretched the term “prosthetic“ beyond it’s familiar usage. And perhaps it’s not the best option, but I’m wanting for a better alternative. The same goes for “splice“ which is more suitable for boat lines than lumber and carpentry. Please excuse the poetic license. And, fair warning, I’m about to challenge your linguistic comfort zone even more. 

Lakeside Lapping

Can carpentry conjoin
what nature pulls apart,
what time disintegrates,
what poetry pretends
to braid back together
as if rotten railings,
spindled balusters, and
hustle-bustle bruised posts
are more like memories
and locks of sun bronzed hair?
Can carpenters’ wonder,
troubleshooting, plotting,
cutting, shaping, fitting,
precision joinery,
and perseverance braid
all the parts and pieces 
back together again?

A piece of a poem still searching for its parts… The title is a reference to lap joints — loosely describing the way Peter integrated the new and old railing components, staggering for strength — as well as the motion and sound of the waves against the pier and seawall. Imagine the gentle rhythm of the water lapping, aiding mindful carpentry.