Excellence in Masonry

The 2003 MCAA International Excellence in Masonry Awards Competition, the premier awards program for excellence in masonry, was once again an outstanding success this year. There were 47 entries in the four categories, a great increase from the year before. Also, this is the first year that MCAA offered the Best of Show awards for concrete block, brick and stone.

The ceremony kicked off on March 12 with a video awards program, giving recognition to mason contractors, architects, engineers and construction customers for outstanding accomplishments in masonry selection, design and construction.

During the ceremony, everyone in attendance voted on the People's Choice Award, which was won by The Plaza in Clayton. Mason Contractor: John J. Smith Masonry Co., St. Louis, Mo. Architect: Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart & Associates, Atlanta, Ga.

John J. Smith, Jr., of John J. Smith Masonry Co. in St. Louis and chairman of the MCAA Marketing Committee, presided over the Excellence in Masonry Awards program and handed out the awards to the following well-deserved winners:

Best of Show

Best of Show, Concrete Block:
Congregation Beth Israel

Best of Show, Brick:
Acterna at Milestone

Best of Show, Stone:
McClurg Hall

Commercial & Industrial

First Place/Best of Show, Concrete Block:
Congregation Beth Israel
Mason Contractor: New Dimensions Masonry, Inc., San Diego, Calif.
Architect: Austin Veum Robbins Parshalle, San Diego, Calif.
Judges Comments: The design of the building and its use of materials do an exceptional job creating texture and scale. These qualities, blended with its surroundings, have tremendous richness.

Second Place/Best of Show, Brick:
Acterna at Milestone
Mason Contractor: L.F. Jennings, Inc., Falls Church, Va.
Architect: Hickok Warner Fox Architects, Washington, D.C.
Judges Comments: A classic building using various blends of clay masonry to enhance the overall appearance. The recessed accent bands of the facility brick also create nice reveals at the perimeter. The locations and detailing of the bands have been very well thought out.

Honorable Mention:
The Argyle Building
Mason Contractor: Leonard Masonry, Inc., St. Louis, Mo.
Architect: Trivers Associates, St. Louis, Mo.

Honorable Mention:
Camp Topridge Stone Chapel
Mason Contractor: Lamphere Contracting Corp., Berlin, N.Y.
Architect: Richard Giegengack, Washington, D.C.

Continued on page 2

Pages: 1 2 3