2024 Architectural Awards: Excellence In Masonry Winners

Words: Ashley Kelly

The Masonry Advisory Council held the 2024 Excellence in Masonry Awards on Saturday, October 26th at 167 Green St., Chicago, Illinois. Honoring 80 projects from over the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Area.



The Awards program celebrates outstanding architectural design and the skillful execution that brings these design concepts to life. It honors architectural firms, mason contractors, and product suppliers for their significant contributions to design excellence, construction proficiency, and the innovative use of masonry materials in a variety of ways.

Congratulations to the 2024 Winners!

Overall & Parks and Recreation: Chicago Park District Headquarters, Architect: John Ronan Architects, Mason Contractor: A.L.L. Masonry Construction Co., Inc.

Best of Brick: Clarendale of Portage Park, Architect: Ryan A+E, Inc., Mason Contractor: J&E Duff, Inc.

Best of Block: The Amphitheater at Mike Rylko Community Park, Architect: Legat Architects, Mason Contractor: A. Horn Inc.

Best of Stone: Mokena Residence, Architect: WK Olson Architects, Mason Contractor: Mike Cachey Construction Co.

Craftsmanship: Kankakee Welcome Center, Architect: Fosse Architects, Mason Contractor: Kwitatkowski Masonry, Inc.

Single Family: House on a Ravine, Architect: Fraerman Associates Architecture

Multi Family: CA6, Architect: SGW Architecture & Design, Mason Contractor: Masonry Systems, Inc.

Mixed Use: 1020 W. Randolph, Architect: Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture, Mason Contractor: RV Builders Corp.

Healthcare: Northwestern Medicine Old Irving Park, Architect: CannonDesign, Mason Contractor: A.L.L. Masonry Construction Co., Inc.

Commercial: Flair House, Mason Contractor: Midwest Masonry, Inc.

Commercial Office: Randolph Office Center, Architect: Hirsch MPG LLC, Mason Contractor: Illinois Masonry Corp.

Education: Prairie Grove School Expansion, Architect: Wight & Company, Mason Contractor: MPZ Masonry & Construction

Governmental: City of Batavia Municipal Building, Architect: Allen + Pepa Architects

Restoration: 307 North Michigan Ave Facade Restoration, Architect: Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc., Mason Contractor: Central Building & Preservation L.P.

Miscellaneous: Our Lady of the Lake World Peace Plaza, Architect: Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects, Mason Contractor: Murphy Marble

Rainscreen: Tribune Tower, Architect: SCB, Mason Contractor: Illinois Masonry Corp.

Stone, Terrazzo, Granite: ORD Terminal 5 Expansion, Architect: Muller2, Mason Contractor: Menconi Terrazzo

Interior: 800 Fulton Market, Architect: Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill, Mason Contractor: Menconi Terrazzo; J&E Duff, Inc.

Sustainability: Bio-Block Spiral Installation, Architect: Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill, Mason Contractor: J&E Duff, Inc.





The Fire Resistance Advantage of Masonry Materials: Lessons from Recent Disasters
June 2025

Sam Hoehner
Read More
Vibing Masonry #6: Concrete Masonry Units and Fire Resistance
June 2025

Concrete masonry units (CMUs) are valued in construction for their exceptional fire resistance, stemming from their non-combustible composition and robust performance under high temperatures. This quality makes CMUs a preferred choice for fire-rated walls

Steve Blye
Read More
Architectural Impact: Elevate Exteriors and Interiors with Manufactured Stone Veneer
June 2025

Cultured Stone’s Hewn Stone in Arctic Whether indoors or out, the right material choice can take an ordinary space and turn it into something extraordinary. Manufactured stone veneer (MSV) offers a powerful way to elevate home environments, translating t

Sarah Lograsso
Read More
Staying Ahead of the Curve: Practicing Financial Discipline Before a Downturn Hits
June 2025

In the masonry business, when the phones are ringing off the hook and jobs are lined up back-to-back, it's easy to get lulled into a sense of security. But seasoned contractors know that the good times don’t last forever. Markets tighten, projects stall,

Chad Hirschi
Read More