Call for Entries: Joan B. Calambokidis Innovation in Masonry Design Competition

Words: Anonymous Anonymous

Imagine the Future of Masonry Design and Construction
$30,000 in Prizes • Open to architects, engineers, A/E firms and students
Register by November 15, 2017 • Enter by November 30, 2017

The inaugural Joan B. Calambokidis Innovation in Masonry Design Competition challenges architects, engineers, students, and firms to imagine the future of masonry design. Participants should rethink the innovative potential of masonry construction by exploring approaches to energy efficiency, resiliency, sustainability, and mass customization. Use of BIM, computational design, and emerging construction and manufacturing techniques is also encouraged. All designs must incorporate one or more of the following materials: brick, concrete block, tile, marble, terrazzo, stone, and plaster. Solutions should address both the aesthetic and structural nature of masonry assembly. The proposed project could be a building; exterior building element such as a wall, floor, or roof assembly; or other concept construction. The competition invites creative freedom to allow designers to innovate without restraint.

Register and submit your proposal here.

Multidisciplinary teams are encouraged. There is no limit on the number of participants per team. Individual submissions are also permitted. Participants, whether individual or team, may only submit one entry.

Three grand prize winners will be awarded across three categories: students; young architects and engineers; and firms, multidisciplinary teams, and individual architects/engineers.

In addition to monetary prizes, winners may receive special publication and promotion opportunities, and will be honored during an awards ceremony in Miami, Fla. Travel and accommodations to Miami will be provided by the International Masonry Institute (IMI) for up to two individuals from each winning category.

For more details on the competition and how to enter, visit http://imiweb.org/jbcaward.

MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Episode 36 Recap: Kim Spahn, CEO of the Concrete Masonry Checkoff
January 2026

On this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Justin got to sit down for a conversation with Kim Spahn to talk about the Concrete Masonry Checkoff, how Kim first got involved in this industry, and much more.

From Day One to Long-Term Success: Onboarding Strategies for Contractors
January 2026

The construction industry is facing one of its toughest challenges in decades. Companies are struggling to find enough skilled workers while competing to keep the ones they have. At the same time, projects are becoming more complex, deadlines are tighter,

Finding the Right PPE for Your Work
January 2026

When it comes to PPE, one thing’s for sure: safety isn’t one size fits all. The work you’re doing, where you’re doing it, and even what time of year it is, can all make a big difference in what gear actually works. Price, comfort, and job performance all

Back Injuries: The Real Cost and How to Prevent Them
January 2026

The mention of back injuries makes mason contractors cringe, and for good reason. Masons lift heavy objects every day, all day long. When a person sustains a back injury, it is serious. It affects every part of their life, from their ability to perform wo