September/October 2017: Table of Contents

Words: Bronzella Cleveland
green building masonry
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September/October 2017:
Table of Contents

Features

Design Trends / Green Building
Reducing the Impact of Building Envelopes
Achieving sustainability within the building envelope starts with specifying the right products. The author offers three strategies to reduce the environmental impact of your design.
by Tom Hanzely

The Greenest Buildings
Green building is not just for new construction; it’s also using what already exists. Masonry Design presents what architects need to know about masonry preservation and restoration.
by Karen D. Hickey, based on a presentation by Elena Peltsman

Comfort Block: High-Performing Green Masonry Product
The first self-contained, insulated building block in the United States is easy to use, reduces water on the jobsite and creates a faster, more streamlined construction process.
by Chris Genest

Materials / Recycled Masonry Materials
Bricks Incorporated: Reclaiming Chicago Common Brick
Bricks Incorporated salvages reclaimed brick, reclaimed fire brick and old terra cotta in and around Chicago. See some of their latest projects.
by Karen D. Hickey

Technology / Seismic Retrofitting, Reinforcement and Anchors
Seismic Retrofitting of Masonry Buildings: Why It's Needed
An unstable masonry building is unsafe for those both inside and outside its walls during a seismic event. Upgrades to unreinforced masonry buildings can improve safety as well as overall community resilience.
by David Sommer and Cale Ash

Tornado Season Underscores the Importance of Reinforced Masonry Wall Systems
General Shale’s Endurance RS4™ Structural Brick Provides Significant Advantages for Tornado-Prone Areas
By Dawn Henning

Columns & Departments

From the Editor
Industry Outlook
Industry News
Virtual Reality

Supplies
Special Report: DEWALT

The New Equation for Masonry Profit: Predictable Hardware and Proven Data
July 2026

The masonry industry is built on tradition, but modern growth requires a shift from guesswork to absolute certainty. When we talk about the philosophy that you cannot improve what you do not measure, we are looking at the literal minutes and manpower lost

The Walls We Build
July 2026

As masons, we spend our careers building walls. We build them with brick, block, stone, and mortar, and we take pride in making them straight, strong, and built to last. But over the years, I’ve learned there is another kind of wall we build—the walls we

Owen Heimbach
July 2026

This month, the MCAA had the pleasure of speaking with SkillsUSA First Place Winner Owen Heimbach, a young mason just starting out whose enthusiasm for bricklaying is truly contagious. His passion for the craft was evident throughout our interview.

Backfill Your Foundation
July 2026

I’ve been noticing an uptick in a very specific kind of application lately, and once you see the pattern, you can’t unsee it. The résumé usually reads like a family photo album. “Started helping my dad when I was 15.” “Worked summers, then full time.” “R