It Makes a Village 2009

Words: Francine AbramoffMasonry Institute Inc. held its second Masonry Expo, “It Makes a Village,” at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Va., April 1 and 2. Participating industries and associations offered a total of 16 seminars that provided technical and best practices information needed to design and build with masonry. The National Concrete Masonry Association, the Brick Industry Association, the MCAA, the Cast Stone Institute, the U.S. Green Building Council, and the Concrete Masonry Promotions Council all offered to give seminars in support of this event.

The It Makes a Village contest is a design-build competition. There were 11 teams consisting of architects and masons who collaborated on design, and then built their projects during the two-day event.

“The board of directors, the national associations and our membership showed confidence and courage in these difficult economic times by supporting this effort,” says Masonry Institute Director Joyce Greer. “Many folks put a great deal of their talents and efforts together to make it the best show possible. We all feel it was well worth the efforts.”

The It Makes a Village winners were:

First Place - $2,500


/Public/News/20090717084500-1.jpg" width="530" height="353" border="0" alt="Labyrinth">

Labyrinth

Mason Contractor: Masonry Design, Inc.
Architect: Virginia Tech School of Architecture


Second Place - $1,500


/Public/News/20090717084500-2.jpg" width="530" height="353" border="0" alt="Fire Pit & Waterfall">

Fire Pit & Waterfall

Mason Contractor: Falls Church Construction
Architect: BeeryRio Architects + Interiors


Third Place - $1,000


/Public/News/20090717084500-3.jpg" width="530" height="353" border="0" alt="Play-A-Round">

Play-A-Round

Mason Contractor: Deeben Enterprises
Architect: R. Hunter Hurt, AIA


/Public/News/20090717084500-4.jpg" width="530" height="353" border="0" alt="Skateboard Ramp">

Skateboard Ramp

Mason Contractor: United Masonry
Architect: EYP Architecture and Engineering


/Public/News/20090717084500-5.jpg" width="530" height="353" border="0" alt="Park Bench">

Park Bench

Mason Contractor: Baltimore Masonry
Architect: Rounds VanDuzer Architects


/Public/News/20090717084500-6.jpg" width="530" height="353" border="0" alt="Four-sided Chimney">

Four-sided Chimney

Mason Contractor: Genco Masonry
Architect: Esocoff Architects


/Public/News/20090717084500-7.jpg" width="530" height="353" border="0" alt="Brick Pizza Oven">

Brick Pizza Oven

Mason Contractor: Carroll County Career & Technology Center
Architect: School Drafting Dept.


/Public/News/20090717084500-8.jpg" width="530" height="353" border="0" alt="Skate Park">

Skate Park

Mason Contractor: C. S. Monroe Technology Center
Architect: Hayes Large Architects


/Public/News/20090717084500-9.jpg" width="530" height="353" border="0" alt="Solar Garden">

Solar Garden

Mason Contractor: L.F. Jennings Inc.
Architect: Bignell Watkins Hasser Architects


/Public/News/20090717084500-10.jpg" width="530" height="353" border="0" alt="American Flag">

American Flag

Mason Contractor: Center of Applied Technology-North
Architect: School Drafting Dept.


/Public/News/20090717084500-11.jpg" width="530" height="353" border="0" alt="Garden Wall">

Garden Wall

Mason Contractor: J.D. Long Masonry
Architect: Main Street Architecture
Bonding with Masonry 2026: Q2
June 2026

This issue’s questions come from a Mason Contractor and an Engineer. What questions do you have? Send them to info@masonrymagazine.com, attention Technical Talk.

The Thirty-Year Mason: Ergonomics as a Retention Strategy
June 2026

In most industry circles, the conversation around the labor shortage follows a predictable script: How do we find the next generation of masons? While recruitment is vital, we often overlook the most valuable asset already on the job site: the experienced

Acme Brick Company Releases 2026 Pocket Guide to Brick Construction
June 2026

For more than four decades, all the basics of building with brick have come in a guide small enough to fit into a pocket. Acme Brick has just released a 2026 version of its Pocket Guide to Brick Construction. And yes, it’s still printed on paper just like

Masonry in the Media: Casa Azul, Chapultepec Castle, & More
June 2026

A film’s settings can take viewers to new locations, all from the comfort of their own home. It immerses them in the scenes, whether they take place in an opera house in Brazil or a grand mansion in Mexico City. Explore how these Latin American masonry ma