Masonry Magazine October 1973 Page. 15
Pre-assembled panel goes up for installation on the nine-story Bryan Medical Building in Kansas City. Bricklayers wait at the top to fasten panels into place.
THINGS ARE LOOKING UP IN KANSAS CITY
BRYAN MEDICAL BUILDING, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
Architect: Ralph F. Oberlechner Associates
General Contractor: Bryan Development Co.
Panel Manufacturer: Masonry Systems of Missouri
Panel Erector: Harless Stone Construction Co.
The masonry panel system, which increasingly is growing in popularity in North America, has made its debut in Kansas City with the erection of a nine-story medical office building at 68th & Troost. It was designed by Ralph F. Oberlechner Associates, Architects, Engineers, Consultants.
Over the years, the Kansas City construction industry has viewed with pride the craftsmanship of bricklayers as they've gone about the ageless process of laying one brick, block or stone upon the other to create a wall. Therefore, it must have been somewhat of a surprise for the industry to witness the versatility of these same craftsmen suddenly building walls with brick panels as large as 12 ft. high, 13 ft. 8 in. wide, and 4 in. thick, with an average weight of around 6,700 pounds each.
A mortar additive gives the panels the extraordinary strength needed to be constructed without reinforcing rods or conventional concrete block backup walls. (Turn page)
masonry • October, 1973
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