Mayor Robert Hamilton and MasonryWorx present Masonry Masterpiece Awards, recognizing building excellence

BARRIE, November 7, 2006 – Today, Mayor Rob Hamilton (City of Barrie) and MasonryWorx member Dante DiGiovanni announced the winners of the 1st Annual Masonry Masterpiece Awards.  The Masonry Masterpiece Awards – sponsored by MasonryWorx – were created to recognize excellence in building with masonry products.

“The Barrie area has many buildings – both new and old – that showcase the benefits of masonry products,” says Frank Buck, president of MasonryWorx.  “The visual appeal is the most noticeable benefit, but masonry products also help to create sustainable, healthy and durable buildings.”

The Awards ceremony was held at the MacLaren Art Centre in Barrie, where winners of the Masonry Masterpiece Awards were announced in three categories: Heritage and Restoration, Innovation and Residential Masonry Designed Community.

The following are the winners of the 2006 Masonry Masterpiece Awards:

Heritage and Restoration – MacLaren Art Centre

The MacLaren Art Centre was selected as the masonry building that best conveyed a sense of the past and defined local character (the category included both original and restored buildings). The Masonry Masterpiece Awards were presented to:

• Architect, Hariri Pontarini Architects
• Builder, Bertram Construction
• Owner, MacLaren Art Centre

Innovation – The Robert Simpson Brewing Company

The Robert Simpson Brewing Company was chosen as the masonry building that best demonstrated design innovations contributing to sustainable development. The Masonry Masterpiece Awards were presented to:

• Architect, McKnight Charron Laurin Inc.
• Builder, The Murgel Group Inc.
• Owner, The Robert Simpson Brewing Company

Residential Masonry Designed Community – Roxborough Condominiums

The Roxborough Condominiums were recognized as the neighbourhood that made the best use of masonry products to create a visual sense of community and sustainability. The Masonry Masterpiece Awards were presented to:

• Architect, Malcolm Architects
• Builder, D.W. Tuck Construction Inc.
• Owner, Roxborough Condominiums