December 2015: Cover Profile

Words: Dan Kamys

Naylor Court Stables Townhomes

Details

Naylor Court Stables TownhomesLocated in Washington, D.C., Naylor Court Stables Townhomes dates back to the late-18th century. The historic Washington, D.C., district in which Naylor Court Stables townhomes were constructed is one of the few examples of alley dwellings in the nation’s capital. The four-story luxury homes each have a rear carriage house, and all three share a single brick motor court. To emulate the simple, clean lines of the utilitarian alleys of the 1800s, a boxy design was chosen for the townhomes, which was more aligned with wood-mold formed brick than steel-molded brick, and achieved using General Shale’s Mesa Verde modular brick. Original schemes included much heavier detailing than historic regulations would allow, so a meticulously designed brick cornice was incorporated to relieve the boxy feel of the townhomes. The brick used in the wall in the gated motor court is tied to the brick used on the townhomes, while the original brick alley, removed to accommodate utility work, was rebuilt with new brick. A straw-colored mortar was chosen to match the trim on the window sills and headers, roof deck and covered front entryways in keeping with the historic façade. This also prevented the red brick from becoming too overwhelming from an aesthetic standpoint. Elevations achieve the look of a 19th century urban stable with heavy brick detailing, functional gates and sliding barn doors, horse-height windows, and hayloft doors and pulleys. Mason Contractor M V & Son Masonry Architect GPS Designs Supplier General Shale, Inc. Photographers Bob Narod, Photographer, LLC
Acme Brick Company Releases 2026 Pocket Guide to Brick Construction
June 2026

For more than four decades, all the basics of building with brick have come in a guide small enough to fit into a pocket. Acme Brick has just released a 2026 version of its Pocket Guide to Brick Construction. And yes, it’s still printed on paper just like

MAP Partner
Read More
Masonry in the Media: Casa Azul, Chapultepec Castle, & More
June 2026

A film’s settings can take viewers to new locations, all from the comfort of their own home. It immerses them in the scenes, whether they take place in an opera house in Brazil or a grand mansion in Mexico City. Explore how these Latin American masonry ma

Lily Burger
Masonry in the Media
Read More
Chairman’s Message: When Things Don’t Go as Planned
June 2026

Not every day in this business goes the way we planned. Some days, everything lines up. The crew is moving well. Materials are on time. The job is flowing the way you hoped it would. And then there are the other days. The ones where something breaks. T

Kent Huntley
Chairman’s Message
Read More
Wrapping Up Our Year And A Look Ahead
June 2026

It is amazing another year has gone by and what a year it has been. We have seen a lot of progress on so many fronts. All of this happens specifically due to the support of our members. Your support this past year is positioning our industry to make huge

Jeff B
President's Message
Read More