NC State wins Unit Design Competition

Words: Randi HertzbergArchitectural students from North Carolina State University, Smith Marks and Paola Gonzalez, took home the top honors in the NCMA Foundation-sponsored Unit Design Competition.

The NC State team presented an innovative block design called "Angle Face Block," which creates a unique wall appearance. NC State was one of three finalists (also including teams from Ball State University and the University of Nebraska) that presented original concrete masonry units during NCMA’s Midyear Meeting in Coeur d’Alene, ID.

Click here to see all the finalists.
Hot This Time of Year
July 2026

Yes, summer is hot; that is just how it is. Summer heat can have effects on many things, and as I get older, I realize there is usually something I can do to tolerate the hot days. We all know the obvious, and I am sure every one of us has that person who

The Walls We Build
July 2026

As masons, we spend our careers building walls. We build them with brick, block, stone, and mortar, and we take pride in making them straight, strong, and built to last. But over the years, I’ve learned there is another kind of wall we build—the walls we

Owen Heimbach
July 2026

This month, the MCAA had the pleasure of speaking with SkillsUSA First Place Winner Owen Heimbach, a young mason just starting out whose enthusiasm for bricklaying is truly contagious. His passion for the craft was evident throughout our interview.

Backfill Your Foundation
July 2026

I’ve been noticing an uptick in a very specific kind of application lately, and once you see the pattern, you can’t unsee it. The résumé usually reads like a family photo album. “Started helping my dad when I was 15.” “Worked summers, then full time.” “R