Masonry Magazine April 2007 Page. 63
Industrial/Commercial
Mason Structure Office Warehouse, Lexington, Ky.
Mason Contractor: Mason Structure Inc.
Architect: Sherman Carter Bamhart PSC
Judges Comments: The jury was immediately struck by the overall impact of the building, and was even more impressed with the masonry detailing and execution. The thickness of the arches implies a loadbearing order inherent in the strength of masonry, but rarely used in today's single-wythe veneers. The corbelling at the roof completes the initial strong plinth at the base of the building, resolving the large planar walls without the need for superficial elements or out-of-plane moves common in buildings today.
Rehab/Restoration
Tufts University West Hall Project, Medford, Mass.
Mason Contractor: Phoenix Bay State Construction Co. Inc.
Architect: McGinley Kalsow & Associates LLP
Judges' Comments: Tufts University West Hall project demonstrated a concern for detail and historical accuracy. The care in which the contractors cleaned, repointed, selectively replaced the brick, and cleaned the sandstone ensured that the building would be preserved for another century. West Hall today is beautiful, functional and continues to be a landmark reflective of the late 19th century academic gothic style.
Residential
Pavers/Retaining Walls/Landscaping
Bluff Residence, Lake Bluff, Ill.
Mason Contractor: R. Sanchez & Sons Inc.
Judges Comments: The jury found the use of masonry to be very thoughtful for the scale of the residence. By using a variety of masonry units and stone for the edging and walled elements, the design and use of masonry exhibited a cohesive theme that created softening of the hardscape. This softening, contrary to the inherent property of masonry material, became more evident in areas where masonry was used to create walkways for circulation or seat walls for social gathering.
Senior Services of King County, Seattle
Mason Contractor: Walsh Construction
Architect: Weinstein AJU Architects Urban Designers LLC
Judges' Comments: The jury found the elegant use of inexpensive, eight-inch CMUs as a primary exterior facing to be very much in line with the spirit of an affordable housing project for senior citizens. The bookend placement of the two masonry masses frames the primary glass façade and quietly bound the site, while providing rated party walls for future adjacent developments. Additionally, the overall color scheme subtly plays between the grays and greens of both opaque masonry and transparent glass.
The Voice of the Masonry Industry
April 2007
Masonry 61