About Masonry Advisory Council

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About Us

The Masonry Advisory Council (MAC) is a non-profit organization that provides support to the masonry construction industry. Our continual efforts raise awareness and elevate the process of constructing structurally sound, beautifully made, and well-crafted buildings.

We collaborate with architects, suppliers, masons, and other industry professionals to preserve the art of masonry. Our continual efforts raise awareness and elevate the process of constructing structurally sound and well-crafted buildings.

The Masonry Advisory Council makes resources accessible by educating, promoting, and marketing the benefits of masonry construction, materials, and technologies through educational and informational programs in Illinois and NW Indiana.

Our Value

How Can We Help You?

The Masonry Advisory Council is a collaboration of Educators, Experienced Design Professionals, Engineers, and Supplier Groups that support masonry construction, materials and assemblies. Have a technical question? Contact us for FREE advice from experts in the industry.

We've Achieved

Excellence in Masonry

The Excellence in Masonry Architectural Awards program recognizes architectural design excellence and rewards the talent of turning concepts into reality. Architectural firms, mason contractors, and product suppliers are recognized for their contribution to architectural design, construction expertise, and the use of brick, block, and stone materials to complete commercial and residential projects.

New Categories This Year: Rainscreen and Interior Masonry

Start Your Submission

Sponsorship

2022 Excellence in Masonry Brochure

Excellence in Masonry Winners 2022

Frequently Asked Questions

Excellence in Masonry

All licensed, practicing Architects, Structural Engineers, General Contractors, Masonry Suppliers, Mason Contractors, Building Owners, or Representation of Municipalities of a masonry building (at least 50% masonry). The completed structure must be situated in Chicago, Chicago suburbs (see list of counties), and NW Indiana can submit projects. Projects completed between June 2022 to June 2024 are eligible.

Online entry submissions will open in January 2024. You can enter projects throughout the year as you wish, entry submission will close at 8am on July 15th, 2024.

In order to move quickly through the submission process, it will be helpful to have the names of the Architectural firm and Architects involved in the project, the Contractor and contact information, your Masonry Suppliers, copyright approval from all photographers, and 6 – 10 high-quality .jeg format photos and/or illustrations (preferably 5mb each image). Once your photo is added our photo reducer tool will automatically reduce oversized images to the 5mb needed for submission. You can add information later if you don’t know it at the time of submission.

Yes, you can edit materials through your Sharefile folder. Simply login, edit or upload any additional files that you wish to include.
You can submit as many entries as you like. You’ll need to choose one category only for each entry. The entry will be judged in the first category submitted and will not be judged in multiple categories from the same company.

It’s not required to use professional photography, but high-quality images make a better impression and are helpful during the judging process. Call us at 847-297-6704 if you need a referral for a professional photographer.

Housing (Single Family/Urban), Housing (Multi-Family), Governmental, Industrial/Commercial, Religious, Contemporary Rehab, Educational, Healthcare/ Scientific Research, Miscellaneous, Mixed Use Entries (part commercial, part housing (for example) should be classified according to the larger function)

Yes, the same project can be entered by different companies, but not in the same category. Since the project and contact information is the same, the first entry submitted will be used for judging.

No entry fee is required for architectural submissions.

You’ll find out if your project won by attending the Excellence in Masonry Awards Celebration on Awards night. Please plan to have at least one company representative attend the event to accept the award onstage if you win. Even if you don’t win, you’ll have the opportunity to network with industry peers and view all the submitted entries. It’s a really fun industry event that you won’t want to miss!

2022 Excellence in Masonry Awards Video

Our Masonry Cost Guide

Pre Order a 2024 Cost Guide

This industry resource provides a general price structure for masonry materials, detailed mechanical drawings, helpful how-to articles, and educational resources to help you better estimate costs for building with masonry. Use this guide to understand and identify the necessary components for successful masonry construction.

The Masonry Cost Guide is complementary to licensed, practicing Architects and Structural Engineers in the Chicagoland area and NW Indiana only. Other industry professionals can purchase this Masonry Cost Guide by filling out the form below. We will email you a link to purchase your copy.

Note: This estimating guide has been computed using resources and pricing models for the Chicago area and NW Indiana. It should not be used as a price guide for other regions or states.

You will have to pay $60 for the cost guide.

Masonry Cost Guide Cover 4-11-19 (1)-min

Win this Specification Guide!

Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures


Enter to Win Cubs Tickets!

2 Cubs tickets for Wednesday, April 24,2024 at Wrigley Field
Cubs host the Houston Astros

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Follow us on social media to learn more about MAC and to see what’s happening in masonry construction in and around the Chicagoland area. Sign up for our monthly newsletter to stay up to date with us.