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.

Remembering John Chrysler
May 2026

The masonry industry lost one of its most steadfast champions with the passing of John Chrysler at his home in Texas. He is survived by his wife, Debbie.

The Gary Joyner Masonry Scholarship: Investing In The Future
May 2026

The North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association (NCMCA) Eastern Chapter has launched the Gary Joyner Masonry Scholarship at Pitt Community College in Greenville, North Carolina. The annual award honors one of the trade's most influential figures while

Design Choices That Endure: Specification and Installation Go Hand-in-Hand
May 2026

Design decisions don’t live on paper; they live on the wall, the ceiling, the floor, and throughout every space. Today’s projects are driven by highly curated design intent, from layered color palettes to mixed-material façades. But once those decisions

Shaver And Spencer Are 2026's Masonry Hall Of Fame Inductees
May 2026

After a record-breaking 27 nominations, the MCAA is pleased to announce that the selection committee has chosen Ryan Shaver and John Spencer to enter the Masonry Hall Of Fame. They will be formally inducted on Wednesday, September 16th, 2026 during the MC