Organizations collaborate for resilient communities

Words: Randi HertzbergAcross America, communities are facing unprecedented environmental, social and economic challenges. Climate change is making cities more vulnerable to heat waves, rising sea levels, dangerous flooding, prolonged droughts and other extreme weather events.

The National Institute of Building Sciences and the International Code Council are collaborating with several other organizations under the Alliance for National & Community Resilience (ANCR). ANCR will collect data and research communities that have experienced extreme events and develop a strategy that will prepare and ultimately protect the community and the resident/occupants of those communities if an extreme event should occur. The goal is to have community owners and developers select building materials and systems that will withstand these uncontrollable events.

Learn more at www.resilientalliance.org.
American Treasure: Valparaiso’s Grand Gardner Hotel
October 2026

A 125-year-old school building in Valparaiso, Indiana, is getting a second life, and much of the credit goes to the masonry that has been standing there since 1899. The Grand Gardner Hotel is an adaptive reuse project centered on the former Gardner Schoo

Cass Stern
American Treasure
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Designing Better Masonry Envelopes Starts with the Air Barrier
October 2026

As expectations for building performance continue to rise, air barriers have become a critical part of modern wall design. Today’s building envelopes must support energy efficiency, occupant comfort, durability, moisture management, and increasingly strin

Building Solutions
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Kennison Forest Products, Inc. Continues as a Silver Partner in 2027
October 2026

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is pleased to announce that Kennison Forest Products, Inc. is continuing as a Silver Partner in the 2027 Masonry Alliance Program.

MAP Partner
MAP Partner
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WIRE-BOND Renews as a Platinum Partner in 2027
October 2026

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is excited to announce that WIRE-BOND will renew as a Platinum Partner in the 2027 Masonry Alliance Program.

MAP Partner
MAP Partner
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