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

Four Home Design Trends Driving Masonry Demand in 2026
July 2026

As design trends continue to evolve, one theme remains consistent throughout 2026: homeowners want spaces that feel intentional, comfortable and enduring. According to Westlake Royal Building Products’ TrendLine platform, today's most influential trends e

The Modern Masonry Saw: Safety, Efficiency, and Smarter Cutting
July 2026

Masonry is a craft built on precision, strength, and durability. At the heart of every successful masonry project is one essential tool: the masonry saw. As technology evolves, so does the role of the saw on the jobsite. Today’s contractors are not just l

Getting the Finish Right on Burnished CMU
July 2026

The wall is complete. The lines are crisp. The coursing is tight, and the burnished CMU delivers exactly the refined appearance the design team envisioned. After weeks of coordination and careful installation, the project is final

Argo Community High School Performing Arts Center
July 2026

Argo Community High School is located in Summit, Illinois, just southwest of Chicago’s Midway Airport. In 2016, the Argo Community High School Board of Education and the school’s administration undertook the construction of a new performing