McLennan Community College - Dennis F. Michaelis Academic Building

Waco, TX

Mason Contractor: Brazos Masonry, Inc.
Architect: RBDR Architects
General Contractor: Mazanec Construction Company
Suppliers: Jewell Concrete Products ; Acme Brick Company ; Hohmann and Barnard, Inc.
Owner: McLennan Community College

Wall System: Cavity Wall: Concrete Block Veneer/Steel Stud

Project Description

Oversized burnished CMU brings strength, beauty, and elegance to a building where leaders of tomorrow are being educated. As you arrive to the building you stand in awe of its amazing stone and then realize it is not stone at all!

The architect carefully used insets and projections coupled with chamfers to develop the appearance of a natural cut-stone building. The Brazos Masonry project team approached this job very much like a cut stone project by creating shop drawings in the planning phase. The purpose of the shop drawings was to ensure that all 103 unique shapes were accounted for and manufactured to the exact dimensions required. Precise attention to detail took place on this job as pieces were ordered and delivered as needed to limit congestion and confusion. The site also exhibited the daily hustle and bustle of a college campus! Also, a limited amount of space on site did not allow for all material to be delivered in bulk. Stone anchors were utilized for setting many of the CMU assemblies due to the projections and insets.

The custom block was used as a veneer application for: columns, exterior, interior, window sills, caps, accent bands and at any location where the Architect wanted convey the message of strength. Many challenges faced the craftsmen as most of the project was on a radius. Along with the challenge of the radius, magnificent live oak trees that were one hundred-plus years old could not be damaged. The BMI team worked carefully around the trees as not to damage any of the natural surroundings.

Notice the soft lines and smooth radius that leads your attention to the entrances at the front and back of this exquisite structure. Then notice the strong and sturdy columns that reach to the sky. Over 19,000 pieces of custom block spread over 103 different shapes and sizes were utilized on this project. This required superior organization, experience, and talented craftsmanship.

Date of Project Completion: January 2009

Awards

2009 CTMCA Golden Trowel; 2009 TMC Golden Trowel

Photography by Norma Jean Bounds