The masonry work going on in the historic district of in Beijing, China to get ready for the 2008 Olympics is incredible. Every house - every building - will be rebuilt or torn down and rebuilt - with post and beam construction, solid four wythe masonry walls and exquisite brick carving - just like they were built hundreds of years ago. And they expect them to last another 500 years. Labor is inexpensive. Workers, many of whom come from rural areas, may make only about $150 a month and choose to live on the job site to save money to send home. There is little machinery on the job but it may be less expensive to have four men shovel mortar than to buy a hoist. The workmanship is very good, especially that of the masons who carve and set each face brick with virtually no mortar joints. Rumford fireplace construction pictures

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