2022 Golden Trowel Award Winners
Block
The Revere at River Oaks
The 2022 Golden Trowel Winner is the Revere at River Oaks! The veneer of this mid-rise, 122 foot tall building designed by Kirksey Architecture is primarily oversized burnished block. General Contractor: Ludlow & Associates Construction, LLC and Mason Contractor Camarata Masonry Systems knew storage and space was going to be a major issue as the footprint of the building is only 5’ away from the property line on the south and east elevation. The north and west elevations are built 16’ from the road with the west side having electrical lines within 10’ of the finished building. Camarata Masonry kept on schedule despite these challenges, while the architect, general contractor and mason contractor worked hand in hand with suppliers: Best Block, Siteworks, Upchurch Kimbrough Company, Jewell, An Oldcastle Company, and Hohmann & Barnard to meet supply and storage needs in this close working environment.
Single Family Residential
El Patron De La Gran Piedra
This project began with a visit from a soft spoken and unassuming homeowner holding an ashtray made from a piece of mesquite wood.
Her wish was two-fold: “I’d like a light-colored stone for my home that will coordinate with this. Oh – and do you know a builder that could handle the magnitude of our project plans?” Apex Stone was armed with solutions for both – they got to work on a custom tumbled full veneer blend and linked the homeowner with the good folks at Kirksey Homes to take the role of general contractor. 3D models converted to shop cut tickets, which transformed into decadent exterior and interior lentils, window sills, peaked wall caps, chimney banding, mantels, hearths, fire pit caps, stair treads, customized dry-stacked thin veneer for outdoor kitchen/living/pool area, and column caps installed by Mason Contractor: Precision Development. This project was a labor of love by suppliers Apex Stone and Best Block, and seeing a happy homeowner made it worth it for all involved.
Multi family Residential
WestCreek
The FIRST Golden Trowel winner is Westcreek, the building measures 286′ tall with over 430,000 King size brick was designed by WDG Architects, the General Contractor: Andres Construction and Mason Contractor: Galindo & Boyd Houston worked closely managing the multiple trades and scopes that needed access to their equipment – Accommodating multiple trades ultimately means working alternate schedules that would allow everyone to have sufficient time; Superintendent Sabas Almanguer and the Galindo and Boyd Team say they tribute the project’s success to all of our hard-working men and women who spent 10 months getting this project completed safely, within budget and on time – which happened with big help from suppliers as storage was minimal and weekly deliveries had to be arranged from suppliers Acme Brick Company and SPECMIX.
Multi Family Residential
The Hamilton
The SECOND Golden Trowel winner is The Hamilton, The gateway to Dallas’ Deep Ellum district now boasts The Hamilton high rise residences designed by Architect: LRK.
The 26 story tower features masonry at every level of its upscale contemporary design. General Contractor: Streetlights Residential and Mason Contractor: C.W. Oates Masonry, worked together to facilitate and coordinate mast climber scaffolding as the building boasts a design that expertly blends both brick and architectural stone. Gerardo Hernandez and crew expertly blended two separate brick color mingles provided by Blackson Brick Company, other suppliers that made The Hamilton possible are Advanced Architectural Stone, Best Block, Hohmann and Barnard, Jewell, an Oldcastle Company and TNT Equipment.
Primary & Secondary Education
Cleburne High School & CTE
The Cleburne High School & CTE project was a $122 million addition & renovation, transforming the 1970’s high school building into a new state of the art facility; This project, lead by general contractor Balfour Beatty included multiple structures built on a 630,000 square foot campus. The team at Corgan reimagined the campus’ design to reflect the town and high school’s history by using the original 1918 high school as inspiration – The exterior masonry heavily utilized modular size brick and cast stone, expertly installed by Masonry Contractor J&E Companies with foreman Armando Castillo leading the boots on the ground. This project was a beautiful blend of teamwork between designers, builders, administration, masons, and suppliers like Advanced Architectural Stone, Blackson Brick Company, Builders Equipment & Supply Co., Prosoco, SPECMIX, and Texas Building Products, that made this project a reality.
College & University
University of Texas - East Engineering
The University of Texas Energy Engineering Building is longhorn country at its finest. Jacobs-Ennead designed a building for educating the engineers of the future, and said it must be a masonry building that will last the duration of time. General Contractor Beck oversaw construction on a busy downtown campus, while Legacy Masonry perfected the mingle of three different colors of brick with projected band – that contrasts against a western and midnight black basalt granite, limestone base, and iron spot velour brick. Foreman Victor Jaimes and Charlie Spitler led their teams to complete this masterpiece with the help of suppliers Best Block, San Antonio Masonry and Steel, Continental Cut Stone, Hohmann and Barnard, Jewell, an Oldcastle Company, Mustang Metal & Supply Co., Upchurch Kimbrough, and White Cap Construction Supply. Together architects, general contractor, mason contractor, crews and suppliers made the Energy Engineering Building a beautiful addition to the UT campus that will be there for students to enjoy for many years.
Government & Institutional
St. Martin's Episcopal Church
St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, is a masonry focused campus that displays old world architecture, with modern components.
The recent expansion, overseen by general contractor Tellepsen Builders, continues that trend while complimenting the iconic chapel. Jackson & Ryan Architect’s attention to detail, and homage to old world masonry design can be seen in the large gothic arches and cast stone accents throughout every building.
The amount of detailed masonry components challenged even the most experienced masonry craftsman at W. W. Bartlett, Inc. – Foreman Luis Villanueva and team accomplished much; notable masonry achievements include: over 30 days of strictly cutting jack arches for every window, setting cast stone crosses weighing 3,000lbs, gothic arch brick cloisters with hanging soffits. This project was made possible by suppliers Acme Brick Company, Alamo Stone, Mustang Metal and Supply Co., Siteworks, Inc, Upchurch Kimbrough Company and Holcim.
Industrial & Commercial
The Foundry II
The Foundry II, Sitting in East Austin, encapsulates what Austin is about – unique design.
Architect: Studio 8 starts the design with cast stone surrounds that look to be floating in air.
General Contractor DPR keeps the modernly designed build on schedule, while Mason Contractor Legacy Masonry moves up the building placing 50,000 Glen Gary glazed units.
Superintendent Charlie Spitler and team, placed three different colors and styles of brick – including a lipped brick, rowlock, and soldier course of pewter and platinum colored brick, against a Cloud Ceramic Roman Midnight iron spot brick. These materials, and much more, were provided by suppliers Hohmann & Barnard, Mustang Metal & Supply Co., San Antonio Masonry and Steel, Spec Rents, Upchurch Kimbrough Company, Best Block, and Jewell, an Oldcastle Company.
This creative design gives the East Austin corridor the character it is known for.
Restoration
Fannin County Courthouse
The Fannin County Courthouse was a renovation of the existing courthouse that had deteriorated and weathered over the years. Architexas painstakingly detailed every square inch of this historical renovation.
When General Contractor Turner Construction took on this beast they knew a team that could get it done – It took a mastery of craft by the mason’s at GG&S Construction to restore this iconic county seat. Most pieces had to be individually crafted for their specific use and most anchoring done on a piece by piece basis. Jose Peña and crew pieced together patches and left no undesirable stone untouched – this project was made possible by suppliers Advanced Architectural Stone, Builders Equipment & Supply Co., and Hohmann & Barnard
– restoring this beautiful courthouse to and beyond its former glory!
Hardscape & Landscape
McNay Art Museum
This McNay Art Museum’s landscape renovation was designed by Ford, Powell & Carson and included two 150-foot-long granite radius walls that double as signage to warmly welcome patrons at its main entryway. General Contractor: G.W. Mitchell Construction ensured the design and build of the landscaping fit the existing property.
As the scope of the project was primarily granite, mason contractor Shadrock & Williams with Foreman Abel Alderete was tasked with creating three 30-foot radius sign walls, a large granite cube address sign, and a straight granite wall, adorning all the donors’ names who contributed to the project. Just as the art museum appreciates its donors, Shadrock & Williams appreciates the suppliers who made this project possible like Best Block, Hilti North America, I-10 Building Materials, and Stone Source.
Incorporating traditional granite masonry materials into a significant civic campus demands special appreciation.
Everyday Excellence
TCAL Mansfield
The TCAL Mansfield building designed by OWT Architects used a variety of masonry products making it stand out from the norm. General Contractor: Goff Companies allowed mason contractor Smith Custom Masonry to perfect the mix of masonry, catching the attention of all who drive by. Foreman Pedro Zapata oversaw the crew creating this blend and ensured the design and layout complimented the campus and neighborhood. Of course this project would not be possible without trusted suppliers Acme Brick Company, Advanced Architectural Stone, Inc., Builders Equipment & Supply Co., Hohmann & Barnard, and Jewell, An Oldcastle Company.