July 2025

MASONRY MATTERS

Challenging the Process

In collaboration with the Block Design Collective and Concrete Masonry Checkoff, the MIM is leading the way with evaluating how delegated design and design assist delivery methods can be used on masonry projects. The MIM has long served as a partner to the A/E community and through design assist type roles where we have been able to save hundreds of thousands of dollars on projects by working with architects and engineers to efficiently design with masonry. A recent article in STRUCTURE Magazine on Delegated Design of Masonry sets the foundation for how this process can work, and through the Generic Wall Design Committee we've taken the first step in developing a draft Delegated Design Guide for interior masonry walls, such as partitions. The MIM has presented on this at various state structural engineering associations, and we will be presenting at the annual meeting for The Masonry Society in October. The advantages for mason contractors would be a sole source used for developing stamped design drawings, reinforcement shop drawings, and wall bracing plans. The advantages for architects and engineers would be partnering and using masonry experts to design the masonry components of buildings. Other industries have found tremendous success leveraging these project delivery methods, and we're laying the groundwork to evaluate how it can positively influence masonry projects.

Please welcome MIM's newest team member -

Anne Koch

Let’s Build Something Great – A Hello from Anne Koch

Dear Members and Partners of the Masonry Institute of Michigan, I'm thrilled to introduce myself as the new Executive Administrator of the MIM!

With 34 years of experience spanning construction, arts, and entertainment, I bring a strong background in administration, management, budgeting, marketing, and operations. I’m excited to apply this experience to support MIM’s mission and help advance the masonry industry.

Most recently, I served as Co-Founder and General Manager of The Encore Musical Theatre Company, which my husband Paul and I founded in 2008. Over 17 years, I helped grow it into a $2 million organization, leading efforts in daily operations, fundraising, marketing, and major capital projects—including a $1.2 million campaign during the pandemic to renovate a historic building into a 232-seat theatre and community space.

In addition to my work with The Encore, I have over two decades of experience supporting Koch Masonry, Paul’s international award-winning masonry company. This included AIA billing, contracts, payroll, insurance, benefits, HR, and everything in between. That hands-on involvement helped deepen my appreciation for the craftsmanship and professionalism that define the masonry trade.

As Executive Administrator at MIM, I look forward to working closely with our board, members, partners, and contractors to further the organization’s goals. My focus will be on effective program implementation, strategic growth, and encouraging strong communication and engagement across the industry. I am deeply committed to promoting the value and future of masonry while supporting those who work so hard to sustain it.

Thank you for the warm welcome I’ve already received. I’m truly excited to get started and to contribute to the continued strength and success of MIM and its members. Please don’t hesitate to reach out—I’d love to hear from you, learn more about your work, and explore ways we can collaborate moving forward.

Warmly,

Anne Koch

Executive Administrator

Masonry Institute of Michigan

On the Road Again

Halfway through the year, we have continued to be active in meeting with design professionals to offer learning opportunities and assist them with the design of masonry projects. We have 8 lunch and learn presentations scheduled in July alone and have responded to over 270 technical requests on projects!

Thank you to our sponsors:

Leidal and Hart Mason Contractors

MASONPRO

Quikrete/Spec Mix

VanderWall Brothers

Through the first half of 2025:

Held over 20 lunch and learn presentations with over 200 architects and structural engineers on topics such as construction document requirements and masonry specifications.
Presented on design assist and delegated design at the Michigan Mason Contractors Association.
Held a grout workshop and Masonry 101 workshops with Burggrabe Masonry and Arisco to discuss minimum code requirements.
Presented to the Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes regarding special inspections on masonry projects.
Presented on Michigan programs at the Concrete Masonry Checkoff board meeting.
Participated at Construction Specifications Institute meetings regarding design assist and delegated design opportunities.
Engaged with the Lawrence Technological University advisory board and reviewed senior design projects.
Presented at the Block Promoters Conference on design assist and delegated design opportunities through the Concrete Masonry and Hardscapes Association and Concrete Masonry Checkoff.
Held a flashing workshop with Burggrabe Masonry, Owen-Ames-Kimball, and GMB.
Served as the Secretary for The Masonry Society main committee and implemented code changes for the 2028 TMS 402/602 through our Generic Wall Design Committee.

MIM workshops are intended to build collaboration between the field and the design office so that masonry becomes more than lines on a piece of paper. If you would like Phil to present a workshop, a lunch and learn or provide training for your team, please reach out.

From the Desk of Phil Ledent

Think of the last building you walked in. Whether it was a post office, grocery store, or your house; how was it constructed? When severe weather approaches, which building are you going to shelter in? Most people, whether familiar with construction or not know the resilience and safety that masonry buildings offer. As an industry, we need to do better and provide the tools and resources to architects and engineers to effectively design with masonry. We need a paradigm shift and to embrace alternative delivery methods such as delegated design and design assist which will help us to deliver projects that are not only cost effective, but stand the test of time. We need to evaluate opportunities to integrate prefabricated masonry into projects to help with schedules and labor. We need to challenge the way that we design and construct with masonry.

After presenting to hundreds of structural engineers through NCSEA this July, I had 12 attendees email me before the presentation was even done. Do you know what they asked for? Typical masonry details and notes. With no universities in Michigan (and very few in our region) offering required masonry design courses it should come as no surprise that many firms lack the knowledge or tools effectively design masonry projects. We need to do better, and through the MIM we have the right team and vision to teach this old industry some new tricks.

In Case You Missed It

The MIM has renewed our strategic alliance with MIOSHA and will be working to educate mason contractors and enforcement officers on wall bracing requirements on October 8.

The MIM will be presenting on design assist and delegated design opportunities for projects at the annual meeting for The Masonry Society from October 15-18 in Oklahoma City.

Kyle Lochonic and Phil Ledent spoke to over 150 structural engineering firms on the Top 10 Ways to Save Money on Your Masonry Project to engineers from around the country through NCSEA on July 15.

The MIM spoke at the annual Code Officials Conference of Michigan in April regarding masonry special inspections.

The Generic Wall Design Committee has been actively working on developing standard RFI language and promoting TMS code changes to help with constructability.

The 2025 MCAA Midyear Meeting will be held on Mackinac Island to celebrate their 75th anniversary in September.

Calendar of Events

August

7-10 AIA Mid Summer Conference in Mackinac Island, MI. Register here: 2025 Mid Summer Conference

September

4 Generic Wall Design Committee Meeting (9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.)

7-11 MCAA Midyear Meeting in Mackinac Island, MI. Register here: 2025 Midyear Meeting

12-14 MMCA Annual Fall Business Meeting & Golf Outing at Crystal Mountain

23-24 Concrete Masonry Checkoff RAC Meeting (Region 3) in Detroit, MI

25 MIM Board of Trustees Meeting (9 a.m. - 12 p.m.)

October

2 Generic Wall Design Committee Meeting (9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.)

17 AIA/MIM Honor Awards Ceremony More info to come

The Concrete Masonry Checkoff Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) for Region 3 will be meeting in Detroit, MI on September 23 and 24, and these meetings are open to anyone who wants to attend and learn more about the progress being made. Check out their news and events page here to stay current on upcoming meetings and programs.

Don't Just Take it From Us

"I loved the presentation. I wish I had seen this earlier in my career."

-D Structural Design, Inc.

“Thank you for your thorough response on grout lift and pour height requirements, it was extremely helpful."

-Century A&E

"Thank you for all of this information and your bulletin, it answered my questions and then some."

-Ghafari Associates

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Tip of the Month

In Michigan, all three types of cement (masonry cement, mortar cement, Portland cement/lime) are permitted in mortar. Read our recommendations in our MIM Bulletins.