Northwest Concrete Masonry Association

We recently held our NWCMA annual meeting! Our members came together to learn about the latest industry trends and research while connecting over a delicious breakfast and lunch. A special thank you to our speakers: Alicia Hodges Brian Schmidt Joshua Schultz Jennifer E. Tanner And a shout-out to our sponsors: Basalite Concrete Products CalPortland Columbia Machine, Inc. Mutual Materials Company Solomon Colors Western Materials Inc. White Block Thank you all for making it a great event! #NWCMA #ConcreteMasonry #MasonryStrong

In some areas facing extreme weather, homes built with concrete block construction aren’t just meeting standards—they’re exceeding them. By surpassing Florida Building Code requirements, these homes offer increased resilience and safety, protecting families from hurricane-force winds and the unexpected. For us in the Pacific Northwest, a commitment to exceeding code isn’t just smart building—it’s an investment in long-term durability, sustainability, and peace of mind. Concrete masonry stands strong against nature’s challenges, whether they are hurricanes, floods, or wildfires. https://lnkd.in/gtjSvaTu #ConcreteMasonry #ResilientBuilding #PNWConstruction #BuildingSafety #ExceedTheCode

As part of the ReMatBuilt project, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft researchers and partners from China have developed sustainable building materials made from recycled concrete and plant residues. "Rice is the most widely consumed food in the world. Its husks have hardly been used to date." The team found that ash from burnt rice husks could be incorporated into concrete blocks as an alternative to cement. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gs4Ucmiu #ConcreteMasonry #Sustainability #Architecture

Have you seen The Beauty of Block website yet? It has everything from CMU news and resources to project profiles showcasing specific uses of concrete masonry. It's worth checking out! https://lnkd.in/gAW3aeQ6 #ConcreteMasonry #Architecture #ResilientDesign #BeautyOfBlock

A recent?Pew Research Center survey found that 73% of Americans support implementing more stringent building standards in areas prone to extreme weather. This broad consensus cuts across political, geographic, and demographic lines. Respondents emphasized that strengthening building codes is essential for protecting lives, property, and critical infrastructure. Choosing hazard-resistant materials like concrete masonry is essential to safeguard our communities. Investing in stronger standards today means we’re not only protecting structures but also minimizing future rebuilding costs and reducing insurance burdens. https://lnkd.in/gwPNMfXV #ResilientInfrastructure #BuildingSafety #ConcreteMasonry #ClimateAdaptation #Construction #PacificNorthwest #MasonryStrong

Don't be haunted by concrete masonry design! With NWCMA’s free technical design assistance, you’ll keep the spooky surprises out of your CMU projects. We’ve got the tricks (and treats) to help your design stand strong! Reach out anytime to keep the frights away: https://lnkd.in/g6Z6DBq. Happy Halloween from all of us at NWCMA! ?? #halloween #concretemasonry #structuralengineering #construction #designassistance

Alfred University, in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and U.S.-based company Silica-X Inc., has developed a concrete fortified with waste glass particles which will be tested to learn how it holds up to the rigors of a marine environment. Samples of this Roman-derived concrete—in the form of four cubic foot blocks called “coupons”—are being placed in the Long Island Sound to test their robustness in the marine environment. The coupons will be studied regularly for two years. If successful, this novel material could be used to manufacture stronger, longer-lasting seawalls, protecting the world’s shorelines and infrastructure from rising sea levels. https://lnkd.in/gD5uy9JE #innovation #concrete #seawalls

Returning in 2025: the Robert Fraser Excellence in Masonry Design Awards! Save the date for August 14, 2025, and stay tuned for more details! #architecture #masonrydesign #designawards

This beautiful Bainbridge Island home features a two-story concrete masonry wall that runs across the structure. "This grounding element not only provides a threshold separation between public and private, it also is the main heat sink to help stabilize temperatures and reduce the heat swings," says architect Matthew Coates. In fact, the LEED Platinum home is so energy efficient that the owner reports, "During the last power outage, I finally put a sweatshirt on by the end of the second day." That's the power of thermal mass! Project profile at Coates Design: Architecture + Interiors | Seattle Architects: https://lnkd.in/grF7Tznp The Seattle Times article: https://lnkd.in/gKfSkE_k Modern Architecture + Design Society article: https://lnkd.in/gwYrtW-8 #concretemasonry #thermalmass #architecture #residentialdesign

Firefighters quickly extinguished a recent fire at Bonney Lake High School. The exterior gymnasium wall features structural CMU, which may have helped contain the blaze and prevent its spread to the building's interior. MSN news article: https://lnkd.in/gyUfujz3 More about the Bonney Lake HS project: https://lnkd.in/g687ViSZ #concretemasonry #fire #masonrystrong