2003 International Excellence in Masonry Awards

Words: Dan Kamys

The 2003 MCAA International Excellence in Masonry Awards Competition, the premier awards program for excellence in masonry, was once again an outstanding success this year. There were 47 entries in the four categories, a great increase from the year before. Also, this is the first year that MCAA offered the Best of Show awards for concrete block, brick and stone.

The ceremony kicked off on March 12 with a video awards program, giving recognition to mason contractors, architects, engineers and construction customers for outstanding accomplishments in masonry selection, design and construction.

During the ceremony, everyone in attendance voted on the People's Choice Award, which was won by The Plaza in Clayton. Mason Contractor: John J. Smith Masonry Co., St. Louis, Mo. Architect: Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart & Associates, Atlanta, Ga.

John J. Smith, Jr., of John J. Smith Masonry Co. in St. Louis and chairman of the MCAA Marketing Committee, presided over the Excellence in Masonry Awards program and handed out the awards to the following well-deserved winners:

Best of Show

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Best of Show, Concrete Block
Congregation Best Israel

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Best of Show, Brick
Acterna at Milestone

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Best of Show, Stone
McClurg Hall


Commercial & Industrial

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First Place/Best of Show, Concrete Block
Congregation Best Israel
Mason Contractor: New Dimensions Masonry, Inc., San Diego, Calif.
Architect: Austin Veum Robbins Parshalle, San Diego, Calif.
Judges Comments: The design of the building and its use of materials do an exceptional job creating texture and scale. These qualities, blended with its surroundings, have tremendous richness.

/Public/News/2003comindust2.jpg" width="148" height="185" border="0"> Second Place/Best of Show, Brick
Acterna at Milestone
Mason Contractor: L.F. Jennings, Inc., Falls Church, Va.
Architect: Hickok Warner Fox Architects, Washington, D.C.
Judges Comments: A classic building using various blends of clay masonry to enhance the overall appearance. The recessed accent bands of the facility brick also create nice reveals at the perimeter. The locations and detailing of the bands have been very well thought out.

/Public/News/2003comindust3.jpg" width="100" height="100" border="0"> Honorable Mention
The Argyle Building
Mason Contractor: Leonard Masonry, Inc., St. Louis, Mo.
Architect: Trivers Associates, St. Louis, Mo.

/Public/News/2003comindust4.jpg" width="100" height="100" border="0"> Honorable Mention
Camp Topridge Stone Chapel
Mason Contractor: Lamphere Contracting Corp., Berlin, N.Y.
Architect: Richard Giegengack, Washington, D.C.


Education & Goverment

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First Place
Central Connecticut State University
Mason Contractor: B.W. Dexter II, Inc., Danielson, Conn.
Architect: The S/L/A/M Collaborative, Glastonbury, Conn.
Judges Comments: The combination of red brick with the natural color of the limestone features stands out on the site. The building's use of materials, along with the changes in elevation, creates a harmonious effect with the natural landscape.

/Public/News/2003edugov2.jpg" width="190" height="185" border="0"> Second Place
Charles F. Knight Center
Mason Contractor: Leonard Masonry, St. Louis, Mo.
Architect: Kallmann McKinnell & Wood Architects, Inc., Boston, Mass.
Judges Comments: This design has classic proportions. The building has a great combination of textural and smooth stones. The combination of multicolor stone and grout help give the fa�ade depth and richness.
/Public/News/2003edugov22.jpg" width="190" height="185" border="0"> Second Place
Blount County Library
Mason Contractor: WASCO, Inc., Knoxville, Tenn.
Architect: McCarty Holsaple McCarty Inc., Knoxville, Tenn.
Judges Comments: A very interesting design for this library, incorporating basically a low profile single-story building with an elevated clock tower and circular entrance canopy. Each component has its own character. The usage of splitface masonry at the circular face brick column and pattern makes the entrance a focal point. A well deserved Second Place.

/Public/News/2003edugov3.jpg" width="100" height="100" border="0"> Honorable Mention/Best of Show, Stone
McClurg Hall
Mason Contractor: Brazos Masonry, Inc., Waco, Texas
Architect: Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates LLP, New York, N.Y.

/Public/News/2003edugov4.jpg" width="100" height="100" border="0"> Honorable Mention
Burlington Firehouse
Mason Contractor: Malachi Masonry, Inc., Batavia, Ohio
Architect: Batson & Associates Architects, Covington, Ky.

/Public/News/2003edugov5.jpg" width="100" height="100" border="0"> Honorable Mention
Ogden Dinosaur Park Foundation
Mason Contractor: Steve Worrell Masonry, Layton, Utah
Architect: Richards/Bott Architects, PC, Ogden, Utah


Residential

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First Place: Private Residence
Mason Contractor: Leonard Masonry, Inc., St. Louis, Mo.
Architect: Mitchell Wall & Associates Architects, Inc., Creve Coeur, Mo.
Judges Comments: Nice usage of materials. A nice and attractive blend of stonework, while introducing accent facing brick bands, window sills and head details. The design of this residence seems to flow naturally from the living areas to the garage area.

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Second Place: South Kenwood Residence
Mason Contractor: Mahler Construction Co., Inc., Barrington, Ill.
Architect: Vinci-Hamp Architects, Inc., Chicago, Ill.
Judges Comments: Although consisting of totally facing brick, there is a close resemblance to Frank Lloyd Wright structures. The positioning of the building segments results in interesting offsets, projections and shadow effects. The quality of work also appears to be excellent. Each elevation has its own identity. It's a very interesting structure.

/Public/News/2003res3.jpg" width="100" height="100" border="0"> Honorable Mention
The Schilling Carmel Stone Chateau
Mason Contractor: Jamie DeMaria Masonry, Carmel, Calif.
Architect: Residential Design, Scottsdale, Ariz.


Restoration & Rehab

/Public/News/2003restor1.jpg" width="119" height="185" border="0"> First Place: Amazon.com Tower Earthquake Repairs
Mason Contractor: Fairweather Masonry Company, Inc., Bellevue, Wash.
Architect: Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership, Seattle, Wash.
Judges Comments: This structure incurred substantial damage as a result of an earthquake. The structural upgrades implemented, using a vertically reinforced cavity space combined with the ability to salvage existing materials and replicate destroyed materials, has resulted in a true and successful restoration project.

/Public/News/2003restor2.jpg" width="100" height="100" border="0"> Honorable Mention
Pat Neff Hall
Mason Contractor: Brazos Masonry, Inc., Waco, Texas
Architect: French Engineering, Inc., Houston, Texas
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