Bricks Incorporated

Just two weeks away! Sign up for our upcoming AIA lunch & learn day focused on moisture management for masonry walls and architectural thin brick veneer: https://lnkd.in/deEz7X3g Two of our favorite speakers, Jeff Diqui of the International Masonry Institute and Kevin Melvin of Endicott Brick will be here at our Chicago showroom educating you about these important topics. Lunch is included!

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ? This amazing memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is located in Stanford, North Carolina. Created by Lee Brick & Tile Company this sculpture is carved into a triangular brick column which depicts the image of King in contemplation, resting his head on his right hand. Below the sculpture are plaques for the dedication and park donation. The area also offers decorative lighting and benches. As a brick-carved sculpture, it is a fitting tribute for Sanford, known as the “Brick Capital of the USA.” Today, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his enduring contributions.

?? Guess-A-Sketch?returns for an electrifying night of architectural artistry! Honoree sketchers will transform blank canvases into masterful depictions of the world's most iconic buildings in this quick and high-stakes game of architectural picture guessing game. Learn more and purchase tickets: https://lnkd.in/gtKDJsUD Be more than a spectator – join the excitement! Test your architectural wit in audience challenges, with prizes that celebrate design excellence. But the real masterpiece???? All proceeds from the sale of sketches benefit the?AIA Chicago Foundation's vital scholarships and educational programs, nurturing the next generation of architectural change-makers. ?? Your 2025 Honoree Sketchers are: Sara Beardsley, FAIA (SCB) Helen J. Kessler, FAIA, LEED Fellow, WELL AP (Up Front Regenerative Design) Susan King FAIA, LEED AP BD C LFA (HED) Brian Lee, FAIA (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)) Juan Gabriel Moreno, AIA (Juan Gabriel Moreno Architects (JGMA)) John Ronan, FAIA (John Ronan Architects) Walter D. Street III, FAIA, NOMA (Walter Street Architecture) Dan Wheeler, FAIA (Wheeler Kearns Architects) Transform this evening of artistry into lasting impact and exposure for your company.?Sponsor a team starting at?$2,000?and put your company in the spotlight, or explore non-team opportunities at?$350. Learn more and purchase tickets: https://lnkd.in/gtKDJsUD Thank you to our Host Committee: Robert Theel, FAIA; Noel Abbott, Affil. AIA Chicago; Susan M. Brain, AIA PMP LEED AP; Ingedia Sanchez , AIA, NCARB, LEED; Linda Searl, FAIA; and Eric Singer, Affil. AIA Chicago.

There’s something new to experience every time I visit IMI’s national training center. Last week it was laying brick in augmented reality (AR). Full disclosure: these were foam bricks laid without mortar, but the simulation was quite eye-opening (forgive the pun). Through the HoloLens headset, I could view the precise, predetermined location of each brick as laid out in the Fologram model. Walking around the 10’ x 10’ work area, whose coordinates were anchored in space via QR codes that communicated with my headset, I “laid” an entire course of this complex curved wall in mere minutes. I may only be a fantasy-bricklayer but I can see how tools like AR open a world of possibilities to designers. And it makes me happy that International Masonry Institute is investing in this technology, developing partnerships with leading designers in the digital space, and implementing these tools in their training programs. The future is now, and union bricklayers are ready for it! #AR #AugmentedReality #FantasyBricklaying #TwinBuild #HoloLens #Fologram

Let talk sustainability! ?? Brick is 100% recyclable and can be reused in new brick production, making it the eco-friendly choice over vinyl, which has limited recycling options. Choose sustainability with brick! ?? ??.....https://bit.ly/3SujJcH

Dealing with complex masonry designs? ?? Structural masonry lintels can be a game-changer, but understanding their intricacies is key. Join us as we tackle common design challenges, explore software tools for efficient design, and share practical construction tips for optimizing lintel use. We will also dive into innovative shoring techniques to ensure safety and minimize delays on your projects. Walk away with the tools and knowledge to confidently integrate masonry lintels into your next build. ?????Register for this free webinar on Wednesday, February 5: https://hubs.la/Q033S8LQ0

There’s something special about coming together, not just to learn, but to connect. This week, INTERSTATE BRICK is hosting our Dealer School in West Jordan, Utah, bringing together our valued distributor partners for an immersive three-day experience. From deep dives into building science and brick manufacturing, to hands-on experiences and plant tour, this event is all about strengthening our collective expertise. But beyond the technical knowledge, it’s the relationships we build that truly set us apart. Tonight, over dinner, we weren’t just breaking bread, we were sharing stories, exchanging ideas, and making memories. It’s been an exciting start to the event thus far and grateful to be surrounded by such a passionate group of industry professionals. Here’s to learning, growing, and shaping the future together! #InterstateBrick #BuildingScience #Brick #BrickManufacturing

Take a look at this project by third-year architecture students at the University of Illinois Chicago in their Matter, Materials, and Materiality class. Their assignment was to replicate a portion of the Vitra Schaudepot in Weil am Rhein, Germany—a furniture exhibition and retail space located on the Vitra Campus, designed by Herzog & de Meuron. For expertise on masonry wall construction, the students consulted Jeff Diqui from?the International Masonry Institute?who referred them to Bricks Incorporated for material selection. The ideal solution was?Lee Brick “Red” smooth modular bricks with core holes, chosen for their precision and visual consistency. The students constructed an initial, smaller-scale mockup as a prototype to refine their techniques. In this phase, they manually cut bricks with hammers, resulting in variable sizes. To ensure uniformity in mortar joints and accurately replicate the raked joints, they utilized foam strips as spacers and guides. For the second iteration, the students decided to recreate a corner rather than just a flat surface. This time, they opted for 3/8” mortar joints instead of the previous 1/2” joints and used a 3/8” mortar trowel to achieve cleaner, more precise?raked joints.?Wall ties?were incorporated to provide structural support for the masonry, and the mortar was dyed to match the brick, mimicking the design of the Vitra Schaudepot. To ensure accurate and clean cuts, we graciously extended the use of our saw, elevating the craftsmanship of their work. This hands-on assignment provided valuable insights into?material behavior?and?construction?detailing, essential skills for any?aspiring architect.

Our sales reps at Edward's Stone. Thank you!

Thank you to our friends at Endicott, Yankee Hill Brick, Edward's Stone, and U.S. Stone Industries for hosting our sales representatives at your plants! We truly appreciate the opportunity to learn more about the manufacturing process and see it first hand.