AJS Masonry Powers Remote Construction at Buddhist Hermitage in Cragsmoor, NY
Tucked into a remote ridge of the Catskill Mountains, the Buddhist Hermitage in Cragsmoor, NY is a multi-structure retreat designed to foster peace, reflection, and connection to nature. But building on a mountaintop miles from the nearest public road brings serious logistical and structural challenges — ones that AJS Masonry, Inc. was trusted to navigate.
The project consists of five separate buildings, each requiring precise and durable concrete solutions to withstand both the rugged terrain and long-term environmental exposure. AJS installed 16-foot-tall foundation walls, ensuring stability and elevation on sloped, rocky ground.
The scope also included custom radius walls, battered retaining walls, and cast-in-place stair systems — elements that demanded not only technical formwork and pour precision, but also the ability to work efficiently in a remote, access-limited site.
Transporting equipment, materials, and labor to the ridge required strategic planning and coordination, with AJS crews adapting methods and sequencing to meet the unique conditions of the mountainside retreat.
This project showcases AJS Masonry’s ability to deliver complex foundation systems in remote and challenging environments, while maintaining the same high standards of craftsmanship, safety, and schedule performance they bring to large-scale commercial projects throughout the Hudson Valley and Capital Region.
From city blocks to mountain ridges, AJS continues to build the foundation for New York’s most ambitious projects — no matter where they’re located.
