Modern Masonry LLC | BUILDING THE MCVICAR HOUSE

Photos by JENNIFER GOETZ

After graduating from Shawnee Heights High School, Chris Cazier worked for a friend’s father’s masonry company.

“I thought it would be a great job to have until I figured out what I wanted to do,” Cazier said. “Then I fell in love with the artistic aspects of the craft and the work clicked with my personality.”

CRAFTING TIMELESSNESS

Cazier, owner of Modern Masonry LLC, has the contract to complete all the stonework for the residence, including the limestone exterior on three sides and limestone fireplaces inside.

“I’m a history buff, and I love historic restorations and driving around and seeing old stone barns and houses still standing,” Cazier said. “We’re excited to have this opportunity to create something timeless that will last on the Washburn campus.”

Cazier said the limestone, much of which originated in the Flint Hills, will be sourced from Native Stone Company, another locally owned business.

“Kansas limestone can be thousands of years old, and it won’t fade because it’s been acclimated to the weather,” Cazier said. “No two stones are alike and if you look closely, you can find different fossils embedded in them. Native stone lends a sense of quality and craftsmanship to the work over cookie-cutter manufactured siding that needs to be painted all the time. It’s a more expensive option upfront but it’s one and done.”

EVOLVING AESTHETICS

Design work is still underway for the McVicar House, but Cazier shared trends he and his team are seeing for other area homes.

“A lot of people are living in houses that are 40 or 50 years old and are wanting to upgrade the exterior with a thin veneer of stone for a fresh look,” he said. “I always encourage people to put extra money in updating their residential fireplaces too.”

Cazier said stone mailboxes are also a popular option. He and his team build the mailboxes at the shop and then install them onsite.

“When we started doing mailboxes 12 years ago, we were building them on the side of the road and I spent a lot of sleepless nights trying to figure out a better option,” he said. “Now we’re able to supply the mailboxes more cost effectively and keep the team safe.”

Cazier said the shift in enhancing outdoor hospitality spaces prompted by the pandemic has led to heightened demand for kitchens, pools and waterfalls. Customers are also clamoring for fireplaces and fire pits, both gas and woodburning.

“Hands-down, building these spaces is our specialty because we can get really creative,” he said. “We don’t have any fancy programs that can show customers what the final product will look like. I visit the space and build it in my head and then sketch it out for them. They trust us to run with it and deliver something they’ll love. It’s what I enjoy most about this job.”

A recent project included an outdoor kitchen with a grill and griddle side burners, a smoker, a Green Egg grill, a refrigerator and a Kegerator.

“It had everything in it,” Cazier said. “It was fantastic.”

LEVERAGING A CREATIVE MINDSET

For others considering masonry as a rewarding career path, Cazier said a positive attitude, a strong work ethic, a creative mindset and patience are essential.

“Every stone is different,” Cazier said. “Some days you can’t find a stone to fit and other days every stone you grab is perfect. Those are the days you buy lottery tickets.”