International Masonry Institute

The construction industry doesn't have a shortage of skilled craftworkers—it has a workforce planning crisis, according to North America's Building Trades Unions.
“The unionized construction industry built the training infrastructure, contractor partnerships, and workforce pipeline required to meet this moment. That capacity exists right now,” NABTU President Sean McGarvey said in a statement. “Owners and contractors already plan early for specialized equipment, supply chains, permitting, and manufacturing lead times. Workforce strategy must be treated the same way: as a core project input addressed at the front end, not as an afterthought once labor demand is already peaking.”
At IMI, our technical team is here to help you plan your next project, providing the tools and knowledge you need to build responsibly. And IMTEF's training programs for BAC craftworkers help build a safe, skilled, and productive workforce.
You can read NABTU’s full statement here: https://hubs.la/Q04jXkt20

Join us as we examine how structural masonry supports efficient and predictable project outcomes in K–12 schools through strategic material selection, system coordination, and thoughtful sequencing.

Register today:
https://hubs.la/Q04frhfb0

It's hard to miss the block number 2 on the side of the building that houses the City of Lakewood Fire Station #2, one of Ohio's oldest surviving fire stations.
The feature adds a modern twist to a historic building. Learn more about how the project's architect, Eric Pros, who won our 2022 JBC Award in the Young Architect category, worked with IMI to come up with this unique design: https://hubs.la/Q04j2FQ40

There's still time to enter this year's JBC Masonry Innovation Competition if you have a project up your sleeve showcasing bold masonry design: https://hubs.la/Q04j2hzL0

Adding A Fresh Spin to An Essential Resource: City of Lakewood Fire Station #2 The City of Lakewood Fire Station #2 is one of Ohio’s oldest surviving fire stations. Plans for a new apparatus bay on the east side of the station, originally constructed in 1919, presented a challenge: How to maintain the building’s historic identity while adding contemporary features?

It’s not every day that you see a building façade that showcases terra cotta formed into precast concrete.

But the University of Illinois-Chicago’s Computer, Design Research, and Learning Center (CDRLC) does just that. On a campus known for its Brutalist architecture, much of it shaped by architect Walter Netsch, the new center pays homage to his late modern style while introducing a more human-scaled, material-rich façade that adds warmth, light, and vitality.

Read more:

University of Illinois-Chicago Academic Building Reinterprets Brutalism with Precast, Terra Cotta, and Terrazzo It’s not every day that you see a building façade that showcases terra cotta formed into precast concrete. But the University of Illinois-Chicago’s Computer, Design Research, and Learning Center (CDRLC) does just that. On a campus known for its Brutalist architecture, much of it shaped by archi...

Join us on June 3 to hear real-world case studies from an engineer, general contractors, and mason contractors on how teamwork drives successful project outcomes.

Great masonry projects are built on collaboration!

We’ll cover:
• Delegated design and design-assist strategies
• Innovative reinforcement layouts
• Veneer support approaches and more

Register today:
https://hubs.la/Q04hpPmg0

IMI’s Emerging Contractor class is designed for established contractors who are ready to take the next step in developing their business. During a recent 2-day class, Tom Elliott, IMI Director of Industry Development and Technical Services, went over topics including business management, project management, estimating, contract documents, bidding, quality control, and quality assurance.

One of the biggest lessons he shared with the class: “Plan for the unexpected.”

IMI’s Emerging Contractor Program Builds Estimating and Project Management Skills for Union Masonry Contractors IMI’s Emerging Contractor class is designed for established contractors who are ready to take the next step in developing their business. Topics covered include business management, project management, estimating, contract documents, bidding, quality control, and quality assurance.

IMI’s JBC Masonry Innovation Competition recognizes creative uses of masonry. Modular Ecologies, a masonry solution for flood control, which won the Young Architect Category in 2024, is one example.
The permeable, prefabricated masonry planks, called GeoPlanks, can create corrugated landscapes that slow water flow, reduce erosion, and support native plants and wildlife.
Submitted by Zhan Chen, Professor of Architecture at Kansas State University, and Brantley Highfill, Architect at Wedge Architects, Modular Ecologies looks to mitigate sea level rise, a growing environmental issue.
The 2026 JBC Masonry Innovation Competition is now open through July 31! Submission categories include the following:
• Students
• Young Architects/Engineers
• A/E Firms, Individual Architects/Engineers, & Cross-Category
Learn more and register here: https://hubs.la/Q04cYld_0

Tile installation starts with the right grout and properly designed joints. Join us as we explore grout types defined in ANSI A118 standards and how grout selection affects durability, cleanability, and visual consistency.

Register today:
https://hubs.la/Q04d5w2f0

If you’ve worked on a project that showcases innovative uses of masonry, submit it to IMI’s 2026 JBC Masonry Innovation Competition.

We welcome imagined, proposed, or completed projects of any scale or program — from schools and hospitals to public spaces, housing, and more.

Register today: https://hubs.la/Q04cY3KK0. Submissions are open through July 31!

Join us as we explore how to preserve the stability of historic and existing masonry buildings.

We’ll review:
• Anchoring, shoring, and bracing techniques
• System selection using real-world case studies
• Preservation practices for long-term performance

📌 Register today:
https://hubs.ly/Q04cYKjQ0