Trends in Masonry Design:
Methods, Materials, and Education

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 | 12-1 p.m. Eastern Time
THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO AIA FOR CREDIT.

Masonry design is evolving rapidly as new technologies, materials, and methods reshape how we build. You’ll learn how innovations in robotics, AI, and automation are changing the way masonry is designed and installed, creating opportunities to improve precision, efficiency, and sustainability. We’ll discuss emerging materials and systems that reduce embodied carbon and enhance building performance while maintaining masonry’s timeless strength and beauty. You’ll also explore how educational programs across the country are preparing the next generation of architects, engineers, and designers to carry these advancements forward. Together, these trends reveal how masonry continues to adapt and thrive in a modern, performance-driven built environment.

 Learning Objectives:

  • Explain how emerging technologies and new materials influence design innovation, sustainability, and building performance.
  • Explore best practices for designing with masonry that streamline planning, improve coordination, and optimize construction timelines.
  • Identify masonry materials and systems that promote eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and resilient design.
  • Integrate practical strategies for evaluating and reducing embodied carbon in masonry construction.

About the Speaker

Cole Cabler 
Director of Industry Development and Technical Services, IMI

Cole Cabler

Cole is an architectural designer with a demonstrated history of working in the architecture and planning industry.

Before joining IMI, he worked for a variety of architecture firms in Oregon and Washington. In addition to project design and construction administration, he has served in project management and BIM leadership roles

 

 

Alan FelToon, aia, aicp
Director of Industry Development and Technical Services, IMI

Alan Feltoon-1

Alan is a registered architect, certified planner, and neutral for the American Arbitration Association (AAA). He is a graduate of Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York and the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He founded and served as managing principal of his own firm and has been a professor at Pratt Institute as well as a lecturer and juror at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Previously, Alan held the position of managing principal for 2 major architectural firms in Washington, D.C., and has been recognized for his work by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), UNESCO, International Interior Design Association (IIDA), the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), and many other professional organizations. His work has been widely published and includes a variety of domestic and international projects. Alan has been a speaker at numerous conferences and has traveled extensively throughout the United States, Asia, and the Middle East.

Alan served as a juror for the Washington Contractor Awards/Associated General Contractors of Metro DC (AGC of DC), The Brick in Architecture Awards sponsored by the Brick Industry Association (BIA), and was both a competition advisor and juror for IMI’s JBC Masonry Innovation Competition.

Craig Krupttzer, AIA
Director of Industry Development and Technical Services, IMI

Craig Krupitzer

Craig is a licensed architect with over 20 years of experience leading the design and planning of large-scale mixed-use projects across the United States. Licensed in Massachusetts and Illinois and NCARB certified, he's focused his career on delivering thoughtful, efficient design solutions through a collaborative process.

With a strong appreciation for context-driven architecture, Craig is committed to creating spaces that respond to and enhance their urban environments. A graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy’s Master of Architecture program, including international study in Italy, he brings a well-rounded perspective to every project. Craig has a particular interest in masonry and is dedicated to promoting its value in a variety of projects.

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