New color stucco spanish style house in Alexandria, Virginia

Scratch coat on metal lath Strips of masonite
Scratch coat on metal lath has set up for a couple of days. Wood strips are set to fill in columns. Height of wood strips is set with a string line, determining  the spring line, or where the arch meets the column.  Strips of masonite are ripped with a skill saw 
for the arch. We used 1/4" masonite.
string line New color stucco spanish style house in Alexandria, Virginia
The first strip of masonite is set about one inch short of the wall thickness. Note the string line used to set the distance of the edge of the masonite. Here a string line (purple) is pulled to define the wall thickness. Wall is filled to the string.
two layers of masonite Arch is round and the
wall is straight
View of two layers of masonite. The idea is for mortar to squish behind the top layer, 
defining the arch.
After the brown coat is applied and masonite removed, screeds are formed defining the arris, or outside corner of the arch. Arch is round and the wall is straight. Now, it's just a matter of filling in between the screeds, shown by the arrows, and putting on the finish coat.
Arches do
a lot for a stucco house Surrounds and sills are done with pre-cast concrete
After the finish coat, the arches are round and straight. Arches do a lot for a stucco house.  Surrounds and sills are done with pre-cast concrete.
other side of the house Is the wall round?
A view of the other side of the house. Note the curved wall at the dining room. Curve is rodded off. Is the wall round ? of course.
Chimney cap drip edge
Chimney cap is made by using 3/4" channel iron framing. Here, metal lath is tied on with tie wire. Round edges are made by tying on weep screed. Round edge is not only decorative, but functional- edge is angled down forming a drip edge, assuring our chimney will last and last.
coins on the top of the chimney How long before someone comes up here and sees these coins ?
The coins on the top of the chimney include 3 quarters, one heads up and two heads down, because the state side, or the tails side only shows the date. Also included is a 2008 penny, and a Chucky Cheese token. If the coins are discovered in the far distant future, maybe people will think we were ruled by a race of giant rats. Coins are squished into cement finish and then floated. How long before someone comes up here and sees these coins ?