Simpson Strong-Tie Lab Opens at Cal Poly

Words: Dan Kamys

Simpson Strong-Tie Lab Opens at Cal Poly

Simpson Strong-Tie and Cal Poly University celebrated the grand opening of the Simpson Strong-Tie Materials Demonstration Lab in October. As part of the university’s College of Architecture and Environmental Design, the facility provides a hands-on learning environment for students. Following Cal Poly’s motto of “Learn by Doing,” the 7,000-square-foot Simpson Strong-Tie Materials Demonstration Lab is designed so students can build and test full-scale models and building components.

The lab is built with a variety of materials, including heavy timber braced framing, engineered wood, cast-in-place concrete walls, translucent polycarbonate wall panels and several Simpson Strong-Tie products.

Designing Masonry Openings Without Compromising Aesthetics
July 2026

One of masonry's greatest strengths is its ability to create visually striking architecture. From arches and deep reveals to decorative brick detailing, masonry provides texture, depth, and character that continue to inspire architects today. As buildin

Restoring the Breath of the Building: The Life-Saving Science Behind Historic Masonry Repairs
July 2026

When I first set out to become a historic preservation and restoration mason, I imagined that most of my trade would involve repairing the effects of old age. Instead, 99 percent of my work is attempting to stabilize and reverse damage caused by recent an

Laying the Foundation for the Future: Workforce Development at the Arizona Masonry Council
July 2026

For generations, masonry has been built on a simple but powerful principle: knowledge passed from one set of hands to the next. In Arizona, the Arizona Masonry Council (AMC) is working to ensure that tradition continues by investing in one of the industr

Preserving Masonry Aesthetics with Concealed Lintel Systems
July 2026

Masonry has long been valued for its ability to create buildings with character, permanence, and visual appeal. Features such as arches, deep reveals, corbelling, and decorative brickwork continue to be popular design elements in modern architecture. Howe