In Collaboration with Artist Thomas Sayre
Commissioned by the Albuquerque Arts Board and Sawmill Community Land Trust

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"Standing Water" is a striking public art installation located at the Mill Pond Refuge in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Designed in collaboration with renowned earth cast artist Thomas Sayre, the project consists of four monumental concrete sculptures inspired by water vessels from various global cultures. Positioned within a detention pond that functions as a water catchment and aquifer recharge zone, the sculptures serve both as an environmental intervention and a cultural symbol.

The pieces not only enrich the landscape visually but also tell a story about global water traditions and the urgent need for sustainable water practices. The form, scale, and setting of these sculptures invite reflection from hikers, bikers, and neighborhood residents alike, creating a space that connects the ecological function of water with its cultural significance.

Each sculpture features rich textures and intricate surface details on both the front and back—a first in the ongoing collaboration between Lucas Concrete and Thomas Sayre. The iron oxide pigmentation and layered casting techniques give the surfaces a warm, earthen character that blends seamlessly into the New Mexico landscape.

“From this ancient tradition of water conveyance, community now includes all humans, from all walks of life in the area, all of whom need water,” explains Sayre. “Whether we know it or not, all communities have or will face these same ecological challenges.”

The "Standing Water" installation posed unique artistic and technical challenges that required innovative fabrication methods and a close partnership between Lucas Concrete Products and artist Thomas Sayre.

This 2023 project marked a milestone in their collaborative work—it was the first time the team achieved textured finishes on both sides of each sculpture using a blend of artistic and industrial techniques. The process involved a combination of earth casting and detailed formwork preparation.

Earth casting begins by excavating large, vessel-shaped voids directly into the earth, which are then lined with artist-applied textures and materials. In this case, Sayre introduced preformed clay sections into the formwork, supplementing Lucas Concrete’s standard toolkit of texture-producing elements—custom and stock molds, hand-built impressions, and casting tools.

Concrete, pigmented with iron oxide, was then poured into these earth molds, bonding with the earth and embedded materials to capture every detail. The integration of structural reinforcement allowed these large-scale forms to remain self-supporting while preserving the raw, organic qualities of earth-cast work.

Achieving a fully textured, dual-sided result required exacting coordination in mold design, layout, and casting technique. This innovation allowed the final pieces to be viewed and experienced in 360 degrees, enriching their interaction with the environment and visitors.

By blending artistry with advanced precast construction, Lucas Concrete helped bring Sayre’s vision to life in a way that honored both the site’s ecological purpose and its cultural narrative.