IMI, National Geographic and the Great Cathedral Mystery

Words: Bronzella Cleveland

The International Masonry Institute (IMI) National Training Director Robert Arnold, along with other IMI staff, were sponsored by National Geographic to help construct a scaled down version of Brunelleschi's Dome in Florence, Italy for a program on the engineering of the world's largest brick dome. "NOVA's Great Cathedral Mystery," produced by National Geographic Television in association with Camera One Productions, premieres on PBS Feb. 12, 2014. See a preview of the program below.

Restoring Structural Integrity: Reinforcement in Masonry Buildings

August 2026

Masonry, as most of us in the trade know and appreciate, remains one of the most durable and time-tested structural systems in the built environment. Structures built throughout Europe and other parts of the world demonstrate that a masonry building is mo

Kate Vienna

Technical Talks

Brick Historic Restoration Repair & Restoration Restoration

Designing High-Performance Masonry Envelopes: Selecting the Right Air Barrier System

August 2026

Aric Hutchinson

Technical Talks

Air Barriers

Beyond the Block: Aesthetic Innovations in CMU Construction

August 2026

Concrete masonry units (CMUs) have long been a mainstay of construction. They are well known as a “tried and true” material with a long history of high-strength structural performance, affordability, ease of assembly, and a long lifecycle. CMU constructio

Peter Roberts

Technical Talks

Block

The Most Overlooked Profit Center on Your Job Site

August 2026

The real cost of equipment ownership isn't what you pay on day one. It's what happens over the years that follow. The purchase price of a new mortar mixer, grout pump, material handling system, or masonry saw is only part of the investment. What happens

Steve Wheeler

MAP Partner

Interested in working with us? Learn about and join the Masonry Alliance Program →