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.





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