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Arizona Masonry & Hardscape Expo Wrap-up

Words: Deb LaschThe Arizona Masonry Contractors Association, the Arizona Masonry Guild, and the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute Arizona Chapter hosted the 2008 Arizona Masonry and Hardscape Expo on November 14-15, 2008 at the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT), a public school located in Mesa which serves students from 10 east valley school districts.

Hundreds of people gathered to watch the masonry competitions and “How to” demonstrations on popular hardscape and masonry products including concrete masonry units, concrete pavers, segmental retaining walls, simulated and natural stone.

Masonry: It Makes a Village

During the Expo, six teams consisting of Arizona architects and mason contractors competed against each other to produce the most creative and original “village” structure with the use of brick, block, natural and manufactured stone, glass block and architectural precast in the design/build competition “Masonry: It Makes a Village” hosted by the Arizona Masonry Guild.

The Winners of the 2008 “Masonry: It Makes a Village” event were:

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1st Place: “masonry connects a village”
Architect: Perlman Architects, Scottsdale
Mason: Diversified Builder Supply, Chandler

/Public/News/20081206080000-2.jpg" width="530" height="353" border="0" alt="The Passage">

2nd Place: “The Passage”
Architect: Roberts | Jones Associates, Phoenix
Mason: Triple M Masonry, Phoenix

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3rd Place and People’s Choice Award Winner: [e] print
Architect: MI Studios, Phoenix
Mason: CJS Enterprises, Phoenix

The Skills Challenge

The Arizona Masonry Contractors Association showcased the training of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year masonry apprentices and high school construction education students in “The Skills Challenge” competition. In this competition, contestants are given a project drawing appropriate to their skill level and must layout and construct the project in 3 hours.

Winners of the Skills Challenge were:

High School:
/Public/News/20081206080000-4.jpg" width="530" height="353" border="0" alt="High School Skills Challenge Winners">

1st Place: Omar Tapia, Apache Junction High/EVIT
2nd Place: Horacio Morales, Westwood High/EVIT
3rd Place: Bradson Vogel, Hamilton High/EVIT

1st Year:
/Public/News/20081206080000-5.jpg" width="530" height="353" border="0" alt="First Year Skills Challenge Winners">

1st Place: Juan Salgado, MAG Construction
2nd Place: Luiz Hernandez, Sun Valley Masonry
3rd Place: Hernan Ruiz, Sutter Masonry

2nd Year:
/Public/News/20081206080000-6.jpg" width="530" height="353" border="0" alt="Second Year Skills Challenge Winners">

1st Place: Mike Momeyer, Huff & Sons
2nd Place: Gustavo Terrazos, Stone Cold Masonry
3rd Place: Carlos Ernesto Raymundo, Sunnyside Masonry

3rd Year:
/Public/News/20081206080000-7.jpg" width="530" height="353" border="0" alt="Third Year Skills Challenge Winners">


1st Place: Alvaro Landaverde, Sutter Masonry
2nd Place: Daniel Castillo, Sun Valley Masonry
3rd Place: Roberto Lopez, Top Quality Masonry

“Fastest Trowel on the Block” and “Toughest Tenders” Competitions

The Masonry Contractor Association of America (MCAA) Region G, “Fastest Trowel on the Block” competition pitted the best of Arizona’s journeyman masons, accompanied by their two favorite tenders. Each contestant’s goal was to build the largest block wall, using 8”x8”x16” CMU and mortar in 20 minutes — excelling in both speed and craftsmanship.

Winners of the Fastest Trowel on the Block were:

/Public/News/20081206080000-8.jpg" width="530" height="353" border="0" alt="Fastest Trowel on the Block Winners">

1st Place: Kriston Chee with Maverick Masonry
2nd Place: Moroni Mejia with Rhino Masonry
3rd Place: Noe Martinez with Avila Masonry
Toughest Tenders: Israel Gomez Martinez and Martin Anaya with Thunderbird Masonry

Demonstrations

“How to” demonstrations were made available for the attending public by the members of the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute Arizona Chapter. Members also donated labor and materials to create sitting areas at various locations on the EVIT campus.
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