2024 Associated Masonry Contractors of Houston Golden Trowel Excellence Award: Government/Institutional

>>> The new 27,000 SF dormitory addition at the St. Mary’s Seminary campus is a detailed masonry veneer project that closely matches the existing campus buildings.  The façade is primarily brick with cast stone and marble worked into the design.  The overall brick scope includes different coursings, bandings, cornerstones, and corbelling.  Multiple brick patterns were utilized: half bond, soldier, rowlock, basketweave, herringbone, combination stack/running bond, coursed headers, brick at 90 degrees, dentil corbeling, gauged brick at the archways which could be a part of another arch at different radiuse. Cast stone is used as banding, lugged sills, and coping throughout.  The building ties into an existing structure with an elevated colonnade comprised of two sets of four arches fabricated using a concealed lintel system, brick stair risers and cast stone stair treads.  Great care was taken at the existing masonry which had to be modified and blended in to make the new/old conditions seem to disappear.   

There were several unique issues with this project.  One concern that Studio Red and Axis Builders identified early in project was the design and constructability of the window arches.  Because design for the wall makeup and layout of the arches did not call for a concealed lintel system, CMS was asked to offer suggestions on how properly install the arches surrounding the marble inlays.  The tie in points to the existing building required extra planning in order to work with conditions that were uncovered on the existing building.  The existing building is clad with “Cordell Reds”, which is no longer manufactured, so once the tie ins were complete Masonry Revival was brought in to blend the colors and stain the new brick at the connection points of the existing elevated colonnade to the new colonnade, at the modified archway columns and the brick bands in between.  Finally, construction on the fully functioning campus added a few challenges.  Laydown, parking and access to the site was restricted and great care had to be taken to protect pedestrians and the manicured lawns.