Masonry Magazine May 2001 Page. 38
MASONRY SHOWCASE REVIEW
MCAA's 2nd ANNUAL
MASONRY HABITAT
FOR HUMANITY HOME
By Rashod R Johnson,
Director of Engineering
Entire Masonry Industry
Unifies for Greater Cause
During this year's Masonry Showcase, the Mason Contractors Association of America orchestrated the building of a brick home in downtown Orlando for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando. Habitat for Humanity in Orlando has built many homes over the years, but this was the first brick home the organization had ever erected. On Friday, February 23, 2001, over sixty volunteers from all over the country descended upon a small residential lot in downtown Orlando to donate their time, labor, materials and sweat for a needy family. Twenty-two young mason apprentices from the U.S. and Canada, twenty-three practicing architects (who were participating in the Architect's Symposium), a few industry representatives, and a host of local contractors and suppliers worked from sun up to sun down to complete the entire first floor of the home. This Habitat home was the perfect example of the entire masonry industry coming together and working for a great cause.
The project was a success, but as with any construction project, there were a few bumps along the way. The foundation slab was to be poured weeks before the project. However, upon arriving at the site on Monday, it was yet to be poured. After a few phone calls, the foundation slab was poured on Tuesday, so that the leads could be laid on Thursday. That Friday morning, it was discovered that there were no bond beams, or concrete cast lintels. Since the structure was made of 6" structural brick, knockout bond beams were not an option. Thanks to Painter Masonry, Cast-Crete, and CSR Rinker, 6" concrete bond beam blocks and 6" Steven Fechino of WASCO Inc. gives the architects a crash course in bricklaying.
38 MASONRY-MAY, 2001