The Best of MASONRY

Words: Greg Brown


Cost Savings & Availability Make Concrete Masonry Ideal for Demanding Building Applications
Echelon Masonry provides us with a research-based article on the cost analysis and benefits of masonry for building applications. Discover more on the topic.



Granite Plays Key Role in Challenging Gardens Upgrade
Large pieces and specific color requirements helped to create beautiful new spaces at Michigan’s Frederik Meijer Gardens. Discover the efforts of JK Masonry and Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects of New York for this natural stone project.  




Overcoming Seasonal Affective Disorder: Beating The Winter Blues

Earlier nights, colder temperatures, and the absence of the sun can be some of the things that cause the winter blues. Get some of the best ways to overcome seasonal affective disorder with this informative article. 



Making Art With Masonry

 Brick and natural stone are not only resilient but beautiful. In this article, MASONRY Magazine speaks with Steve Borman, President of Keystone Masonry, Inc. in Yelm, Washington about the creative process surrounding the construction of a stunning stone sphere and all it entails.


Embarking on the Masonry Career Path

The world of masonry is a significant component that makes up the construction process. Much like other specialty trades, the work of a mason is very much an art form that has been passed down from one generation to the next. Read more on getting started in the masonry industry. 


University of Kansas Medical Center Health Education Building

Schooling doesn’t always take place in traditional classrooms, especially considering the future of healthcare. So, when planning the Health Education Building at the University of Kansas Medical Center, designers looked at the whole student and planned accordingly. Checkhttps://www.masonrymagazine.com/blog/2022/01/19/university-of-kansas-medical-center-health-education-building/ out this interesting case study! 



Return on Investment: Improving Efficiency on the Jobsite

How do you work smarter but not harder? In this article MASONRY Magazine speaks with masonry companies SPEC MIX and Quick Headers about the best ways to identify and improve inefficiencies on the job site to speed up work processes. 



Causes of Efflorescence and Efflorescence Test Method Summary

Efflorescence is a topic we have often explored in MASONRY Magazine over the years, allowing many of us to become quite knowledgeable on the subject. Are you aware, however, that there are tests that can help pinpoint the source of efflorescence in masonry? Learn more about the tests that can be done and more. 


Canopy Austin Downtown Hotel Celebrates Masonry and Concrete Décor
Like the majority of prominent cities across the United States, the city of Austin, TX harnesses its own exceptional demeanor with ties rich in culture and art. Giving way to this same theme, the architecture found throughout the city exemplifies this very school of thought. Discover more about this creative case study. 


Wall of Fame: Phil Cote
MASONRY Magazine sat down with Phil Cote for this year's first Wall of Fame interview. Phil is a sixth-generation mason continuing the legacy created by his family members who worked in the industry before him. He runs his company 6th Generation Masonry and looks forward to teaching masonry to his children in the future. Learn more about Phil in this year's first Wall of Fame article. 
The Cornerstone of Success: Safety and Documentation in Masonry
April 2025

The masonry industry plays a vital role in constructing our homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Yet, beneath the enduring beauty of brick and stone lies a complex and often hazardous work environment. Ensuring the safety of workers and maintaining docu

How It's Made: Natural Stone Veneer
April 2025

Natural stone veneer is a durable, versatile, and aesthetically pleasing building material that has been used for centuries. It adds timeless beauty to masonry projects while offering structural integrity and resilience. But how does natural stone veneer

Vibing Masonry #5 - The Evolution of Concrete Masonry Units: From Ancient Foundations to Modern Innovations
April 2025

Early Development: The Genesis of Concrete Blocks (early Rome to 1900s) The history of concrete masonry units (CMUs) or concrete blocks begins with humanity’s earliest binding materials, notably the Romans’ remarkable concrete. Around AD 125, structures l

MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Episode 18 Recap: Jeff Tew, Westlake Royal Stone Solutions
April 2025

On this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Jeff Tew joins the show, along with MCAA President Jeff Buczkiewicz, to talk about where his passion for this industry started and what it's been like working on the Supplier side of the industry. An Excitin