Concrete Masonry Units Made with Lehigh White Masonry Cement Produce Award-Winning Results

Words: Bronzella Cleveland

Sponsored Content

Montgomery Middle School makes use of glacier white and burnished warm gray concrete masonry units (CMUs)

Located in San Diego, Calif., the Montgomery Middle School makes use of glacier white and burnished warm gray concrete masonry units (CMUs) that contribute to an attractive scale and texture on the two-story school building. The CMUs provide an architectural surface that was left exposed wherever possible, saving money on costly finishes while providing excellent thermal mass and durability that contributes significantly to the building’s net-zero energy design. 

This use of concrete masonry units is very simple, sustainable and striking. The school won LEED Platinum Certification, as well as an Honor Award for Education Design from the Concrete Masonry Association of California and Nevada.

Architect:
LPA, Inc.
5161 California Ave., Ste. 100
Irvine, CA 92617

Jon Mills, LEED® AP
Principal-in-Charge

Structural Engineer:
LPA, Inc.

General Contractor:
Balfour Beatty Construction

Masonry Contractor:
New Dimension Masonry, Inc.

Block Producer:
ORCO Block and Hardscape

Owner:
Sweetwater Union High School District

©Photography:
Costea Photography, Inc.

Contractor Tip of the Month - Listen Before Leading: A Hard Lesson on Change
November 2025

I pride myself on being a forward thinker. My aim is always to do what’s best for my team because I’ve learned that the strength of any company rests on the people who build it. So, when we rolled out a new and improved travel policy a few weeks ago, I as

Fechino Files: Welding in the Masonry Business
November 2025

Most of the equipment used in the masonry business is strong, durable, and made of metal. Okay, yes, you can argue that many mortar boards, truck seats, and water coolers are typically not made of metal, but you get the point. One thing I learned a long t

Marvelous Masonry: Potala Palace
November 2025

Perched more than 12,000 feet above sea level on Red Mountain in Lhasa, Tibet, the Potala Palace stands as one of the world’s most remarkable masonry structures. Its enduring resilience not only represents an architectural achievement but also a living ca

Outreach Outlook: Securing the Future Through the Inspire Awards
November 2025

As we move into November, I want to take a moment to highlight one of the most significant opportunities our industry has ever faced: the Truist Foundation Inspire Awards. The Masonry Foundation has been named a finalist, and on Tuesday, November 12th, we