Project Spotlight: Settlement Music School in Willow Grove, PA

Words: Bronzella Cleveland
The School’s exterior is clad in four-inch ground face architectural block veneer.

Sponsored content

Settlement Music School is the largest community school of the arts in the United States, with locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Settlement’s mission is to provide the highest quality instruction in music and the related arts to children and adults, regardless of age, background, ability or economic circumstances.

The School’s Willow Grove facility provides 29 classrooms and the Leonard Mellman Recital Hall that can seat 400 spectators or serve as a studio for dance programs.

The School’s exterior is clad in four-inch ground face architectural block veneer, which provides a beautiful and resilient finish. The block design called for contrasting gray and white colors, which required superior strength and consistency over traditional CMUs.

Ground face masonry units provide an eye-catching, polished look that exposes the interior matrix of the block. Both the gray and white ground face block produced by Fizzano Bros. Concrete Products were made using Lehigh White Cement (on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/lehighwhitecement/?fref=nf). While standard gray cement might get close to the color, it would not provide the superior uniformity of color and excellent early strength gained by using white portland cement.

Project team:
Architect | George von Scheven
General Contractor | TN Ward
Mason Contractor | Connelly Construction Corp.
Block Manufacturer | Fizzano Bros. Concrete Products

Save

Save

Building Solutions: The Critical Role of Cavity Space in Masonry Moisture Control
April 2026

Long before “rainscreen” became a popular term in building science, masonry cavity walls were functioning on that very principle. A brick veneer cavity wall is designed with the expectation that water will penetrate the exterior

A Legacy of Inspiration: Lynda Spina, CFO retires from STABILA North America
April 2026

After almost 30 years of dedicated service, Lynda Spina is retiring from her role as Chief Financial Officer of STABILA North America, closing an extraordinary chapter defined by steady leadership, financial discipline, and lasting impact.

Masonry in the Media: The Alamo, The Merchandise Mart, & More
April 2026

The scenery of films and TV shows alike is often a crucial yet underrated detail that can ultimately make or break a scene. In these American-made structures, take a look at how these movies and shows transformed iconic masonry buildings into the perfect

Announcing The Daily Digest From The MCAA
April 2026

Pay attention to your inbox starting Wednesday, April 8th. The MCAA is pleased to announce The Daily Digest, a selection of masonry news from around the world delivered right to you. “I receive daily emails from several news sou