2015 Concrete Masonry Design Awards of Excellence

Words: Randi HertzbergThe Concrete Masonry Design Awards of Excellence showcases design and construction excellence using manufactured concrete masonry and hardscape products — concrete masonry units, manufactured stone veneer, articulating concrete block, segmental retaining wall units and interlocking concrete pavers — in residential, commercial and landscape applications.

Winning entries serve as testimony to the creativity and ingenuity of the design team, focusing on the use of manufactured concrete masonry and hardscape products. The winners will be featured in Concrete Masonry Designs, the NCMA website, and other industry publications.

To enter, you will need the following information:
  • Name and company of submitting company
  • Project name
  • Location of project
  • Project designer/architect
  • Product manufacturer(s)
  • Contractor
  • Mason Contractor/Installer
  • 300-word description of project
  • Up to eight photos
  • Entry fee ($50 members, $75 non-members)
Each entry in the Design Awards of Excellence program is judged for how well the project has met its original purpose and objective. Judges will consider design, quality of construction and craftsmanship, compatibility with other building materials, construction innovation and overall excellence. Document how the following themes may have been integrated into the design process for the project.
  • Design Resolution — Project demonstrates exemplary skill and sensitivity in the resolution of formal, functional and technical requirements.
  • Environmental Advancement — Project demonstrates a commitment to environmentally sensitive design and conservation.
  • Preservation/Restoration — Project demonstrates skill, sensitivity and thoughtfulness in preservation, restoration or the alternate reuse of an existing building regardless of its original architectural intentions.
  • Societal Advancement — Project demonstrates a commitment to social progress.
  • Technical Advancement — Project explores new technologies and their architectural implications.
Visit www.ncma.org/2015-concrete-masonry-designs-awards-of-excellence for more information and to submit your entry.
Contractor Tip of the Month: Get Used to the Pain
April 2026

Pain isn’t just negative; it’s a natural part of growing and improving. Instead of seeing pain as a reason to quit, recognize it as a sign you’re making progress. What sets successful people apart is their ability to stay calm and keep going when things g

Damian Lang
Contractor Tip of the Month
Read More
Fechino Files: Diesels Below 32 Degrees
April 2026

I am guessing that if you are reading this, then you experienced the cold, late-January spell that took over most of the country. The cold weather has many effects on the operations of a masonry contractor, from job shutdowns to equipment starting issues,

Steven Fechino
Fechino Files
Read More
Outreach Outlook: Building Momentum Across the Southern Region
April 2026

As April arrives, the pace of our outreach and workforce efforts across the Southern Region reaches a new level of intensity. This is the time of year when our programs, partners, and state collaborators all accelerate at once. SkillsUSA competitions are

Conner Birdsong
Outreach Outlook
Read More
Marvelous Masonry: Elbphilharmonie
April 2026

Most people know the Elbphilharmonie for its glass façade and dramatic roofline. From a distance, that’s what defines the skyline in Hamburg’s HafenCity district. But for masonry contractors and suppliers, the real story starts at the base.

Cass Stern
Marvelous Masonry
Read More