Lessons Learned in Designing Durable, Constructible, and Cost-Effective Masonry Assemblies

Tuesday, August 25, 2026 | 12-1 p.m. Eastern Time
1 LU/HSW

Delivering durable and cost-effective masonry assemblies requires collaboration and technical precision. We’re sharing our lessons learned from the field to help general contractors, construction managers, and design professionals identify gaps in construction documents and execute high-performance masonry systems. Explore proven strategies for managing moisture, accommodating movement, and optimizing structural masonry for long-term performance. We’ll discuss how to balance durability, constructability, and cost while reducing rework, minimizing risk, and improving efficiency. Through real-world case studies, you’ll gain actionable takeaways to help ensure masonry projects meet design intent, perform safely, and stand the test of time.
 
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 Learning Objectives:

  • Explain moisture management and movement control strategies that enhance the durability and safety of masonry assemblies.
  • Identify ways to optimize structural masonry for cost-effective, resilient, and high-performing construction.
  • Evaluate masonry design and construction decisions through the lens of risk mitigation, constructability, and occupant safety.
  • Analyze real-world case studies to understand how lessons learned improve masonry performance, reduce failures, and support long-term building welfare.

About the SpeakerS

Pat Conway
Director of Industry Development and Technical Services, IMI

Pat is a registered architect in Wisconsin. He is a distinguished national masonry author and speaker.

He is a prolific presenter on masonry wall system topics, including flashing, movement control, high-performance masonry wall systems, air barriers, efficient wall design, structural masonry concepts, masonry drawings and specifications review, modern open-jointed rainscreen veneer systems, creative masonry design, masonry lintels, single-wythe masonry walls, lessons-learned from the job site, and adhered veneers.

Tom Elliott
Director of Industry Development and Technical Services, IMI

Tom is a journey-level craftworker who joined the masonry industry in 1985 as an apprentice bricklayer for BAC Local 5 in Cleveland, Ohio. Throughout his time in the industry, he has worked as a journey-level bricklayer, project foreman, and field superintendent on larger masonry projects in Ohio and surrounding states. He also served as a project manager for a restoration contractor and oversaw the restoration of several historic structures.

Previously, he managed his own mason contracting business and helped to negotiate local labor contracts as a board member of the Northeast Ohio Contractors Association. Tom is a member of the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and is a CSI-Certified Construction Document Technologist. He is a voting member on several TMS subcommittees and is actively involved in the ACE Mentoring program. He is also a lecturer at both the Ohio State University and Kent State University and the Chairman of his local Architectural Board of Review and Planning Commission Board.

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