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Design-build at SSA offers industry a glimpse into the future

10. 10. 2025
  • A group of architecture students and professional masons, all wearing bright yellow shirts, collaborate on building a concrete masonry unit (CMU) structure. The students are actively laying blocks and mortar, guided by the experienced tradespeople. The structure appears to be a planter or a small wall, and the setting is outdoors under a tent, suggesting a hands-on workshop or competition.

    Spitzer School of Architecture Masonry Project

  • Spitzer School of Architecture Masonry Project

  • A full-scale mock-up of a wall and planter system is constructed from a combination of gray concrete masonry units (CMU) and light-colored bricks. The structure shows different masonry techniques and patterns, including both stacked blocks and staggered brickwork, highlighting the various ways the materials can be used together. The structure is built on a custom platform under a large tent.

  • 20250427 Masonryproject Volkmann 22a5450

  • Masonryproject Volkmann 622a7398

A recent initiative at SSA is making waves in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. In spring 2025, a semester-long design-build studio sponsored by the Concrete Masonry Checkoff (CMC) involved 14 upper-level architecture students partnering with union masons and industry professionals to design and construct full-scale masonry green walls.

This hands-on program offered students a crucial understanding of construction sequencing, labor considerations, and material performance, bridging the gap between design theory and real-world application. According to Prof. Christian Volkmann, “Design-build is the future of architecture,” as it reconnects students with the craft of building and promotes a collaborative, integrated approach to project delivery. The initiative demonstrates how early integration and material fluency are vital for developing job-ready talent in a rapidly evolving industry.

To read the full New York Business Review article by Chuck Rotondo, Technical Director of the Northeast Region, Block Design Collective, Concrete Masonry Checkoff, please click here.

Credit: MMP Creations

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