Masonry Magazine June 1973 Page. 24
Pavilion '73
NCMA Theme Center
Architect: Alfred Browning Parker
Contractor: C. A. Davis, Inc.
Photography: Bo Parker
Probably the most spectacular image builder for the masonry industry as the new year got underway was the exciting Pavilion '73 constructed by the National Concrete Masonry Association as the theme center for its Annual Convention and Concrete Industries Exposition held in early January in Miami Beach. Viewed by more than 5,000 people during the convention period, this showcase of one of the newest developments in masonry-customized concrete masonry-vividly illustrated the progress of the block industry through the years and its dramatic potential for the future. Pavilion '73 skillfully combined ten different customized concrete masonry units in twenty-foot columns, eight-foot walls and planter accents to form a showpiece to serve the masonry industry for years.
Employed by NCMA to design the Pavilion was one of the nation's leading architects, Alfred Browning Parker, FAIA of Miami. And he approached the assignment with unique imagination and enthusiasm. The result was a beautiful structure that skillfully combined ten different customized concrete masonry units into a single entity of exciting design and visual appeal. The results certainly indicate that Mr. Parker thoroughly enjoyed his assignment. In commenting on his design, Mr. Parker commented, "I felt it was important to suggest how customized masonry interacted with wood and planting to show a pleasing relation. Customized concrete masonry permits a designer to create a unit that is unique for his work; hence he can control the richness of the wall through whatever scale and texture that he desires. Obviously, this encourages an original building."