CROM’s Hydrodemolition and Shotcrete Expertise Restores Historic Architectural Sculpture, The Henge
Reminiscent of the English monument Stonehenge, The Henge is a concrete architectural structure created in the 1960s by sculpture artist Herb Goldman and located at the home of Don and Sally Anderson, in Roswell, New Mexico. It earned a place on the State and National Registers of Historic Places but by 2025, history had taken its toll. CROM was selected to join a team of highly skilled preservation specialists from all over the country to address areas of deterioration and damage concrete, while maintaining the structure’s historic character. The goal was to retain as much original material as practical, using repair materials and placement methods compatible with the original construction.
CROM selected dry-mix shotcrete to closely replicate the original gunite construction method and to provide the control necessary to match the existing surface profile, texture, and appearance.
Prior to repair, the structure was surveyed to identify areas of deterioration, including spalling, delamination, surface deterioration, and structural loss.
Deteriorated shotcrete was removed using hydrodemolition to minimize damage to the remaining sound material and reduce the potential for micro-fracturing.
All loose material and surface contamination were removed as required. In areas where the existing gunite was not as thick as expected, wire lath was installed with hawk and troweled mortar to create a substrate for the shotcrete. Surface preparation was performed to provide a sound, clean, textured substrate suitable for bonding the new shotcrete while preserving as much of the original structure as possible. Prior to shotcrete placement, prepared surfaces were brought to a saturated surface-dry condition.
ACI-certified shotcreters ensured shotcrete placement, thickness and sequencing were properly controlled to rebuild deteriorated areas and minimize unnecessary joints. The fresh shotcrete was shaped and finished using hand tools to closely reproduce the contours and surface characteristics of the original structure.
Following placement and finishing, the repaired shotcrete received moist curing to support proper cement hydration, strength development, bond, and long-term durability. Care was taken during curing to protect the repaired surfaces without adversely affecting the appearance or texture.
The primary objective throughout the restoration was not to make The Henge appear newly constructed, but to stabilize and preserve the existing structure while maintaining its historic character. The repair materials, dry-mix shotcrete process, placement techniques, and hand finishing methods were selected to complement the original construction rather than overwhelm it. The result reflected the project’s guiding philosophy: stabilize, preserve, and respect the original structure’s appearance and materials so it can stand strong for years to come.
