News
We set out to improve the longevity of architecture in Alberta through the aesthetic and stable appeal of masonry design.
Eliminate engineering for adhered masonry veneers up to 10 feet
Building Code Variance 19-BCV-018R1 permits the use of this pre-engineered solution for adhered masonry veneers up to 10 feet above local grade on Part 9 Buildings as an alternative to Forms and Letters from building envelope professionals (engineers) required for adhered masonry veneers required by the Authorities Having Jurisdiction in the province of Alberta when using the products and installation procedures found in this report.
Stone Cottage Design Inspiration
Interior design ideas for a stunning home.
Augmented Brick Winery
The Kitrvs winery façade built from 13,596 individually rotated and tilted bricks is currently the largest architectural project entirely assembled on-site with an augmented reality fabrication interface.
Introduction to Masonry
This video will introduce you to the basic concepts of masonry.
Glass Blocks Prove to Be Strong and Beautiful
Completely recyclable glass block is used to transform a traditional brick facade into a stunning boutique for Chanel.
Industrial-Style Interiors with Exposed Brick Walls
From bedrooms to living rooms this video showcases modern touches to exposed brick rooms!
Building a Glass Deck out of Glass Block
Take a look at this deck made with glass block!
Garden and Living Space Enclosed by Glass Block Tower
Look at this glass block fortress which reduces noise while letting in light creating a beautiful space for an office.
Bob Villa Discusses Brick Homes
Wondering about brick as the cladding choice for your home? Listen to Bob Villa discuss all there is to know about brick houses.
Modern Stone House Ideas
Need inspiration for building a dream home? Check out these modern stone house ideas.
Stunning Stone Monuments of Petra | National Geographic
Petra features caves, temples, and tombs carved from pink sandstone in Jordan approximately 2,000 years ago.
Amazing Stone Houses in Australia
View the best luxurious stone houses in Australia.
Stone House Gets a Modern Feeling
Mrizi i Zanave Agroturizëm is the name of a quintessential guest house located in Lezhë, Albania. An old stone house underwent a stunning renovation and now features a modern glass corner giving the building a beautiful but unique look.
The World’s Largest Brick Fortress
The world's largest brick fortress has recently been restored and is open to the public for touring.
“Robot masons work with humans on a $52 million housing project in Illinois”
Robot masons work with humans on a housing project in Illinois. The construction project is a $52 million 166,000-sf barracks contains 300 bedrooms for 600 military personnel.
Two rental units made with reclaimed brick are self-sustaining through solar power
The rental properties were designed to give the area affordable and environmentally sustainable housing while still maintaining the look of the surrounding architecture.
Third Largest YMCA in North America Opens in Lethbridge
The Cor Van Raay YMCA is the third-largest in North America.
“The Streetscape Symphony of Chicago’s Brick Buildings”
From apartments to churches to commercial buildings brick built Chicago, many believe Chicago is one of the nation’s best showcases for all that a brick can do.
Century-old Whyte Avenue Building Designated as a Historic Provincial Resource
A brick building built in 1910 on Whyte Avenue in Edmonton which once housed a general store and a dance hall is now designated as a provincial historic resource.
Stunning Brick Home Designed to Keep Cool
The building features traditional Vietnamese architectural design with modern design elements to create a minimalist, yet spectacular energy-efficient home. The home features porous brick walls, an open courtyard and a layout which utilizes cross-breezes.
Residential Tower Redefined with Brick
The concept facilitates a complete redefinition of a tower which emphasizes views outward, greenery, and natural sunlight. Along, with an interesting, beautiful and durable exterior.
Fingerprints of Ancient Masons Reveal Advanced Iron Age Construction Technique
Ancient fingerprints were recently found by archaeologists - dating back 5,000 years from Egypt to Denmark. It is likely that these fingerprints were made deliberately in the mudbricks, as part of the construction of the wall. They were then filled with a crude mortar which cemented the bricks together. This technique is still common and is known as "frogs" in modern technology.
University of Calgary’s new City Building Design Lab receives $1.5 million in funding at official opening
Outfitted with a robotic arm, 3D printers, robotic fabrication and a full gallery of projects, the City Building Design Lab is a unique space to Calgary’s city centre that brings together students, faculty, business professionals, entrepreneurs, and city officials to produce leading-edge research and explore innovations in environmental design.
2019 Alberta Masonry Design Awards Photos
Our 2019 Alberta Masonry Design Awards were on Friday, April 12, 2019, at the historic Hudson Calgary. Take a look at some of the photos from the event!
Can a Robot Lay Bricks?
Is there such a thing as smart bricks? Are robots the future of construction? Take a look at this video and tell us what you think!
Built to Last
In the wake of Hurricane Michael, one home survived in Mexico Beach, Florida. The house stayed upright because it was built last year to codes that were even more strict than laws required. We can account for increasing weather events by building with durable materials and best-practice ways.
How November Got Her Growl Back
Two grotesques at Westmount School are getting reconstructive surgery care of a stone carver who's come all the way from Norway.
Read our Fall 2018 Newsletter Now!
Read about everything Alberta Masonry Council has been up to the last year! https://albertamasonrycouncil.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Fall-2018-Newsletter.pdf
Building a Future in Engineering
Two high school seniors dabble in modern masonry and discover what it takes to be an engineer.
What’s In Your Wall?
Our sister association MasonryWorx has written a must-read article on Building Envelope.
Masonry Article Wins Prestigious F. Ross Browne Award
This Construction Canada article Canadian Masonry For Sound Buildings written by Gary Sturgeon is a recipient of the F. Ross Browne Award for Editorial Excellence.
Annual Medieval Faire Occurring Again This Summer!
Knights in shining armour, games of skill and chance and pretty maids all in a row.
Submissions Now Open for Masonry Design Awards!
Read more about our Masonry Design Awards!
History Goes Hand-in-Hand with Masonry
History Goes Hand-in-Hand with Masonry In Cuba over 90% of the buildings are built with masonry. This rings true with most countries across the world with buildings built and still standing before the 20th century. History and the buildings it was created in are often built with masonry. Take a [...]
Integrating Wood Frame with Masonry Technical Aids Now Available!
Integrating Wood Frame with Masonry Technical Aids Now Available! Alberta Masonry Council has partnered with MasonryWorx, the Wood Council and Moses Engineering to procure technical aids for designing buildings with masonry and wood-frame construction. Click here to Download
Listen to Why Bricklaying is a Trade Career for Women
Listen to Why Bricklaying is a Trade Career for Women
Differential Movements to Consider when Integrating Low & Mid-Rise Wood Framing and Masonry
This technical aid is for designers who are estimating the differential movement between the wood-framing and masonry components in low-rise and mid-rise wood-frame buildings.
Integrating Wood Frame with Masonry Design Aids
Integrating Wood Frame with Masonry Design Aids Struggling to design with mid-rise wood-frame and masonry construction? Stay tuned as we develop more technical aids to help with design problems and considerations! Use the button below to download our latest resources. View Resources
Benefits of Masonry – An Economic Perspective
When it comes to life safety, cost-benefits analysis, and mold resistance using a masonry system is the way to go.
Masonry Matters: Four Reasons The World Needs More Brick, Stone & Concrete
Masonry Matters: Four Reasons The World Needs More Brick, Stone & Concrete, By Steve Maxwell If you ever go to Europe, be sure to knock on some interior walls. Every one that I’ve checked out has been solid masonry – no hollow sounding, noise transmitting frame walls. They use so much [...]
The Basics of How a Masonry Heater Works
The Basics of How a Masonry Heater Works Masonry fireplaces can maximize heat while minimizing pollution. They are beautiful and a one of a kind feature to any room.
Reasons to Love Masonry
See why masonry combines the facets of beauty, heritage and durability like no other building materials can.
Block Impact Test
Look at how a concrete block wall holds up to impact.
Our Summer 2017 Newsletter
Download the PDF below to read our summer 2017 Newsletter.
May Edition of Avenue – Edmonton
An excellent article on masonry in the May 2016 edition of Avenue Magazine in Edmonton. Click on the link and flip to page 80!