The Labyrinth
First Baptist Church of Asheville

Hammerhead Stoneworks built a full-sized rendition of the Chartres eleven circuit labyrinth for the First Baptist Church of Asheville. I call it a rendition because it's not a replica- we are using different stones and spacing. I can't says ours is "inspired by" either, since it is our goal to very accurately approximate the 800 year old design and dimensions; we are borrowing too much of the original to just be "inspired by." I like rendition because it suggests to me a musical performance. This is our adaptation of one of the great works, written and performed centuries ago by gifted artists. Our rendition is our earnest attempt to honor their amazing artwork. And like any good musical performance, our rendition should have its own flavor. It will be informed by our talents, our tools and techniques, and the times we live in. I hope that someday our rendition will be considered worthy of its lineage.

The labyrinth is all natural stone, laid dry in a bed of gravel. We aimed for a 1/8" tolerance on the joinery. It is forty-four feet across.

This is the focal point of the Memorial Garden at First Baptist Church in downtown Asheville. The garden was designed by Vision Design Collaborative.