Words and Photos: AZ Masonry Council
September 30, 2022 was the celebration of the 31st Annual Excellence in Masonry Architectural Awards. The banquet honored this year’s finest at the Scottsdale Resort McCormick Ranch. Over 400 industry members were on hand. Fifteen projects were recognized for their outstanding masonry design, workmanship, and creativity with the use of brick, block and/or stone.
This year’s architectural jury panel came from the state of Colorado. Cheri Gerou, FAIA the State Architect for Colorado and Phil Gerou, FAIA, Principal at Gerou & Associates Architects both served as our head co-jurists. Also included on this jury were: Peter Monroe, PE with IMEG, Jerry Thoma – President of JVS Masonry and Brian Montelongo, Sales Manager of Colorado Best Block.
The Craftsmanship Jury consisted of three retired masons from Arizona: Jan Hill retired from Roma Masonry, Richard Springfield retired from Sun Valley Masonry and Don White retired from Roma Masonry.
This year, there were two Gold Trowel Winners (the top honor).
Gold Trowel Non-Residential – Craftsmanship and Honor Awards for Non-Residential
ASU Durham Hall Renovation
Honored at the event were the following team members:
| Arizona Board of Regents | Owner |
| Ayers Saint Gross | Architect |
| PK Associates | Structural Engineering Firm |
| Okland Construction | General Contractor |
| Sun Valley Masonry | Major Masonry Contractor |
| Summit Brick | Major Masonry Supplier |
Architectural Jury Comments: “A beautiful and timeless building that is so well executed it is difficult to define the renovation from the original – very well done. The patterning of the brick is very artistic and impactful, the detailing was very nicely done and not easy to construct. This was a great execution of a difficult project.”
Craftsmanship Jury Comments: “The remarkable brick façade of the ASU Durham Building incorporates both modular and norman brick units with a unique blend of two similar colors. This blend adds a richness and beauty to Durham’s exterior skin. The intricate design creates a rib pattern which accentuates the vertical portions of the building. The close arrangement of the vertical brick allowed for minimal tolerances, so each modular brick had to be meticulously placed. The distinguished level of quality control and craftsmanship is consistently pronounced throughout the entire exterior of this historic building.”
Gold Trowel Residential – Craftsmanship and Honor Awards for Residential Award
Four Sevens
Honored at the event were the following team members:
| Bill Cleverly | Owner |
| MACKOS Architecture and Construction | Architect |
| BDA Design | Structural Engineering Firm |
| MACKOS Architecture and Construction | General Contractor |
| Pioneer Masonry | Major Masonry Contractor |
| Superlite, an Oldcastle company | Major Masonry Supplier |
Architectural Jury Comments: “A beautiful house that is sculptural in its block detailing. The jury didn’t know whether the architect or the stone mason was responsible, but this was very inventive – masterful. Its engineering mastery in the construction with the rebar and still maintaining the openings at the top and bottom were well done. Very unique, artistic and very retro!”
Craftsmanship Jury Comments: “Four Sevens residence is a captivating single-story custom home that overlooks an impressive Arizona landscape. This residence is a remarkable presentation of masonry architecture and craftmanship. The architectural details expose masonry in every possible location. The 8416 and 8816 sandblasted units are revealed in all walls, nooks, corners, and features of this profound masonry home. The mortarless design provides a unique finish giving this residence a beautiful, polished look. The masonry installation represents the highest level of skill and craftmanship that is visible throughout the entire home. Four Sevens is a stunning display of masonry living.”
The remaining awards were given to the following teams:
NON-RESIDENTIAL HONOR AWARD
CDO Baptist Church
Honored at the event were the following team members:
| Canyon Del Oro Baptist Church | Owner |
| Swaim Associates LTD | Architect |
| Schneider Structural Engineers | Structural Engineering Firm |
| Concord General Contracting | General Contractor |
| Keystone Masonry LLC | Major Masonry Contractor |
| Central Arizona Block Company | Major Masonry Supplier |
Jury Comments: “The surrounding masonry at the chancel creates a very open, airy and sculptural sanctuary space. The textured surface of the CMU units gives visual strength and interest. Very striking in its sitting within the landscape, they used the right color of materials.”
NON-RESIDENTIAL MERIT AWARD
Roden Crater South Space
Honored at the event were the following team members:
| Skystone Foundation, Owner James Turrell, Artist/Designer | Owner |
| Paul Bustamante | Architect |
| Caruso Turley Scott Inc | Structural Engineering Firm |
| The WLB Group Inc | Structural Engineering Firm |
| Vastco Inc | General Contractor |
| G & G Masonry LLC | Major Masonry Contractor |
| Concrete Designs Inc | Architectural Precast Supplier |
| Coldspring | Stone Supplier |
| The Landscape Connection | Stone Supplier |
Jury Comments: “As a very public structure, the use of masonry was essential to the low maintenance and longevity of the project. The variety of materials and application was very rich, varied and inventive.”
NON-RESIDENTIAL MERIT AWARD
West Point High School
Honored at the event were the following team members:
| Tolleson Union High School District | Owner |
| ADM Group | Architect |
| A.V. Schwan & Associates, Inc | Structural Engineering Firm |
| Chasse Building Team | General Contractor |
| Stone Cold Masonry | Major Masonry Contractor |
| Superlite, an Oldcastle company | Major Masonry Supplier |
| Mesa Precast Supply, LLC | Architectural Precast Supplier |
Jury Comments: “Nice mix of materials within the architectural vernacular. The masonry-lined hallways provide a low-maintenance solution for long-term student use.”
RESIDENTIAL MERIT AWARD
Whittrock Residence
Honored at the event were the following team members:
| LJM Design Services | Architect |
| WTM Construction | General Contractor |
| WTM Construction | Major Masonry Contractor |
| Telluride Natural Stone & Reclaimed Wood | Stone Supplier |
Jury Comments: “The masonry was very consistent with the depth and details of the windows. The craftsmanship was so well done, it looked like one piece of stone.”
RESIDENTIAL MERIT AWARD
Hillside Contemporary
Honored at the event were the following team members:
| The Construction Zone Ltd | Architect |
| Bakkum Noelke Consulting Structural Engineers Inc | Structural Engineering Firm |
| The Construction Zone Ltd | General Contractor |
| Moore Tile and Stone | Stone Masonry Contractor |
| Father & Son Masonry, Inc | CMU Masonry Contractor |
| Quality Block Company | CMU Supplier |
| Solstice Stone | Stone Supplier |
Jury Comments: “The house is set within the landscape to create a really stunning view. Limestone from Kansas – who knew?”
NON-RESIDENTIAL CITATION AWARD
Avondale Fire Station No 175
Honored at the event were the following team members:
| City of Avondale | Owner |
| Perlman Architects of Arizona | Architect |
| Simply Structural Inc | Structural Engineering Firm |
| Willmeng Construction | General Contractor |
| G & G Masonry LLC | Major Masonry Contractor |
| Superlite, an Oldcastle company | Major Masonry Supplier |
Jury Comments: “This is what a fire station should look like – masonry and permanent! The iconic use of the color blockwork against the judiciously placed background created a balance and overall rhythm of the project.”
NON-RESIDENTIAL CITATION AWARD
Helios Education Campus
Honored at the event were the following team members:
| Helios Education Foundation | Owner |
| Architekton | Architect |
| PK Associates | Structural Engineering Firm |
| UEB/Katerra | General Contractor |
| Kovach | Major Masonry Contractor |
| Magnum Companies | Architectural Precast Installer |
| Mesa Precast Supply, LLC | Architectural Precast Supplier |
| Arizona Tile | Stone Supplier |
Jury Comments: “This is a strong project in form and materiality. The whole building encompasses the interior branding of the purpose of the building. Definitely an iconic structure.”
NON-RESIDENTIAL CITATION AWARD
Arizona College Preparatory
Honored at the event were the following team members:
| Chandler Unified School District | Owner |
| HDA/COLE Architects | Architect |
| Meyer Borgman Johnson | Structural Engineering Firm |
| CORE Construction | General Contractor |
| Sun Valley Masonry | Major Masonry Contractor |
| Hobbs Masonry | Major Masonry Contractor |
| Central Arizona Block Company | Major Masonry Supplier |
Jury Comments: “As an interiors project, it’s a sophisticated one. Book matching of the marble was very effective. The paired materials work well together; the team did a great job.”
NON-RESIDENTIAL CITATION AWARD
Grand Midrise
Honored at the event were the following team members:
| Papago Grand JV LLC | Owner |
| DAVIS | Architect |
| TLCP Structural Inc | Structural Engineering Firm |
| Whiting-Turner Contracting Company | General Contractor |
| Sutter Masonry | Major Masonry Contractor |
| Superlite, an Oldcastle company | Major Masonry Supplier |
| Solstice Stone | Stone Supplier |
Jury Comments: “As an interiors project, it’s a sophisticated one. Book matching of the marble was very effective. The paired materials work well together; the team did a great job.”
NON-RESIDENTIAL CITATION AWARD
Creighton University
Honored at the event were the following team members:
| Creighton University | Owner |
| Plaza Companies | Developer |
| Butler Design Group | Architect |
| PK Associates | Structural Engineering Firm |
| Okland Construction | General Contractor |
| Sun Valley Masonry | Major Masonry Contractor |
| Solstice Stone | Stone Supplier |
Jury Comments: “While this is not a masonry building, they used the materials to make a strong statement, especially on the East tower and the West wall.”
RESIDENTIAL CITATION AWARD
Palo Verde Lot 1
Honored at the event were the following team members:
| StudioROEDER | Architect |
| La Casa Builders | General Contractor |
| Pioneer Masonry | Major Masonry Contractors |
| Anasazi Stone | Stone Supplier |
Jury Comments: “Well executed. The translucency between the materials; when materials meet where it feels like they should meet and they don’t interrupt each other, that is a great image.”
RESIDENTIAL CITATION AWARD
Sparks Residence
Honored at the event were the following team members:
| Lauren Sparks & Ron Clearwater | Owner |
| Craig Wickersham Inc | Architect |
| PH Structural | Structural Engineering Firm |
| Valenza Development Corporation | General Contractor |
| Old Mission Masonry | Major Masonry Contractor |
| Superlite, an Oldcastle company | Major Masonry Supplier |
| Solstice Stone | Stone Supplier |
Jury Comments: “An elegant house, especially considering the fairly restrictive site. The stone chosen for the structure integrates well with the site, well-crafted and executed. The architecture is very consistent and nice.”
RESIDENTIAL CITATION AWARDS
Rathee Residence
Honored at the event were the following team members:
| Raj and Jyotsna Rathee | Owner |
| Drewett Works Architecture | Architect |
| PH Structural | Structural Engineering Firm |
| Brimley Development | General Contractor |
| Brimley Development | Major Masonry Contractor |
| Solstice Stone | Stone Supplier |
Jury Comments: “This is a very nice house with a true modern look to it. Beautiful limestone from Portugal used on the walls and floors and a great use of lighting to wash down the walls and highlight the stone. Just gorgeous massing with clean and elegant masonry details.”
The annual Excellence in Masonry Architectural Awards program is sponsored by the Arizona Masonry Council, a non-profit organization servicing the masonry industry in Arizona. The Council would like to thank all of its sponsors, without them the event would not have been a success.
The mission of the Arizona Masonry Council is to create significant and lasting positive change for the Arizona masonry industry and to reinforce that our systems provide the premier building envelope solution in the minds of public and private owners, developers, architects, engineers, general contractors and the general public.
The Council and its members have played a significant role in economic development, new product and construction standards, enhanced safety policies and increased energy efficiency of masonry products. It has also been on the forefront of developing and implementing statewide education programs for the professional community as well as students from college to the high school level. The Arizona Masonry Council can be reached at 602.265.5999 or online at azmasonry.org.
Click here to see photos of all 2022 winners.