The MMPC has been selected to be a speaker at the 2011 AIA Minnesota Architect’s Convention. It will also mark the fourth year that volunteer members of the MMPC have staffed the MMPC Information Booth in the exhibition hall at the convention. The previous program presented by the MMPC at the 2009 AIA Minnesota Architect’s Convention filled a room with nearly 400 architects eager to learn about creative masonry detailing. The program for this year is titled “ Design Opportunities in Preserving the Existing Infrastructure,” and promises to again to be well attended by the design community. The following proposal for the program was approved by the AIA Minnesota 2011 Convention Committee:
Program Title:
“Design opportunities in preserving the existing infrastructure”
Program Description:
Architects have a creative opportunity in a slow economy to help restore and/or repurpose the existing built-environment. Preservation is the “queen of green” and this program shows how masonry buildings designed to last over 100 years can continue to inspire generations as they continue to fulfill their original or new purposes. Experts in the design, construction and restoration of masonry structures will share multiple examples ranging from micro to macro scale of how to save and maintain the heritage and quality of that which is already built.
Learning Objectives:
1. Attendees will have an overview of what opportunities are on the radar for architectural commissions in the restoration and repurposing of existing structures.
2. Attendees will understand the life cycle and design benefits along with the inherent remodeling flexibility of existing and new masonry construction.
3. Attendees will be aware of the proper design, specification and construction of the components of masonry construction along with the required maintenance for masonry to last indefinitely.
4. Attendees will be familiar with specific examples of successfully saving the heritage and quality of that which is already built from the viewpoint of the construction team. Discussion will include but not be limited to the recent work on the Union Depot project in St. Paul.
Speakers:
Four speakers will give independent sections of the program in the order of the above Learning Objectives, with interjections as appropriate from the other speakers during the course of the proposed program. Categories will include the following:
1. Minnesota AIA member restoration architect with recognized history and multiple awards in historic preservation.
2. Minnesota AIA member executive director of the non-profit Midwest Masonry Promotion Council.
3. Minnesota CSI member in charge of production project architecture in a large established AIA MN member A&E firm.
4. MMPC member masonry restoration contractor for the Union Depot project in St. Paul
Continuing Education:
The MMPC is a non-profit organization and a registered provider with the American Institute of Architects Continuing Education System. All of our programs are non-proprietary in terms of products and sales. Our members include a wide spectrum of the masonry industry including masonry contractors, producers and suppliers. It would be our intention to apply for sustainable design HSW credits for this program. Program length could be modeled to fit an available time slot but could easily fit a 90-minute section. Our last program at the AIA MN convention was two years ago and was very well attended.
I would be personally responsible for assuring the program includes well-spoken presenters with quality graphics. The MMPC will also be staffing our booth on the exhibition floor for the fourth year. Thank you for your consideration, we are very open to any suggestions that the convention committee would have regarding the content of our proposed program.
Craig Hinrichs AIA LEED AP
Executive Director – Midwest Masonry Promotion Council
mmpc.masonry@comcast.net
www.mmpc.info
612-670-9142
MMPC members volunteered their time and talent to join Craig Hinrichs in staffing the MMPC booth at the 2010 AIA Minnesota Architect's Convention and Exposition at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis on Nov 2-4, 2010. Representing the MMPC membership at our booth were newly elected MMPC president Mark Severson of Anchor Block Company, newly elected MMPC board members Cheri Nienkirk of Metro Brick and Heather Grazzini of Carciofini, and James Pluym of Superior Concrete Block Company.
For 2010 AIA Minnesota Convention Volunteers gallery photos go to http://gallery.me.com/craighinrichs/100639
Important contacts were still made at the MMPC convention booth despite attendance in the exhibition hall being lighter than previous years due largely to widespread unemployment of many Minnesota architects. Several contacts were made with architectural firms, general contractors, and with the St. Paul Public School District for presentation of the MMPC "Affordable Masonry" AIA continuing education system program. Initial contacts were also made with attending exhibitor companies interested in joining the MMPC and the opportunity was taken to network with existing MMPC members at their company booths.
As an incentive to collect architect's calling cards to add to our architect email distribution list the MMPC this year offered a "$100 Handshake" prize drawing. This years lucky winner was Tom Wasmoen AIA, CID Principal CEO of Firm Ground Architects & Engineers.
Of particular note was the interest paid by attending architects to the poster of MMPC member companies displayed at our booth. The same interest is given at the conclusion of our AIA continuing education programs when architects review the list of MMPC members that they have inevitably worked with or are currently working with. It is impressive to our architectural audience that the MMPC truly represents in one marketing effort the entire regional masonry industry.
Three teams of MMPC member-volunteers staffed our year-two MMPC booth #335 at the 2010 Minnesota School Boards Association convention in the Minneapolis Convention Center. Architecture for K-12 education is one of the largest markets for Masonry construction in Minnesota and the annual convention is well attended by officials of each school district from every corner of the state. Architects and construction materials & services suppliers take the opportunity to network with past clients and promote their businesses to the leadership of K-12 education in Minnesota at the exhibition hall. MMPC member-volunteer teams are easy to spot with their MMPC safety vests at the MMPC booth. Pictured from left to right are MIKE DAVEY of Amcon Block, SCOTT OLSON of Olson Brick Sales and JAMES PLUYM of Superior Concrete Block. BOB WALTERS of Bob's Sparkle Wash and HEATHER GRAZZINI of Carciofini joined CRAIG HINRICHS to round out teams 2 and 3 promoting the MMPC to decision makers in one of the states largest markets for masonry products and services.
We are pleased to announce that an MMPC self-produced educational program was presented at the 75th annual AIA Minnesota convention at the Minneapolis Convention Center on Nov 10-13, 2009. Craig Hinrichs joined noted educators, architects and artists Garth Rockcastle, Andrew Leicester and Derham Groves in a presentation entitled “Noteworthy Details- how did they do that”? The program explored excellence in design concepts related to sustainability and the creative use of unit masonry with the following learning objectives:
Sustainable Design Learning Objectives:
1. Participants will be able to list how resources for future generations can be saved by employing the multiple-use functions of unit masonry now.
2. Participants will be able to identify by a case-study example of an institutional building project how the informed use of materials and innovative details that “work” can reduce life cycle environmental impacts.
3. Participants will view examples of public art in sustainable designs that value the unique cultural and natural character of a given region and are “beautiful to stir our imagination.”
4. Participants will be able to incorporate a personal, or participate in a collective wisdom digital library of sustainable design details and strategies for future use and analysis.
The “Noteworthy Details-how did they do that? program was in addition to the MMPC booths in the exhibition hall that were staffed by MMPC member volunteers.
MMPC member companies were awarded framed member certificates at the Oct 21, 2009 one-year anniversary board meeting of the MMPC at the Sheraton Hotel in Bloomington MN. Individual photos or entire album can be downloaded by following instructions at the gallery page on the attached link.
For more information, visit gallery.me.com/craighinrichs/100572
This year the MMPC joined forces with the Minnesota Concrete & Masonry Contractors Assn. and the Minnesota Concrete Masonry Assn. at their annual golf outing. Check out the photos at this link.
For more information, visit gallery.me.com/craighinrichs#100505
