Scott Conwell, FAIA, FCSI, LEED AP’s Post

Piazza Mercanti isn’t necessarily the place you seek out to visit among all the other significant architectural sites in Milan… but when you stumble upon it like I did a few weeks ago on the way to the Cathedral, you stop to marvel. Honestly, this may be my favorite place to absorb the culture of Milan, away from the tourists and rich in masonry details. There’s certainly plenty to look at amidst the laid-back vibe. There are about 5 buildings surrounding and defining the piazza, the open-air square, each of them special in its own right. My favorite was the red brick building on the northeast corner, the Palazzo della Ragione. One thing that makes this building unique is of its seven impressive arches at ground level facing the Piazza, the two on the ends are Gothic arches, and the 5 in the middle are semicircular Roman arches. Also, there are some impressive bullseye (fully circular) arches on the top level. This building was built in 1233, originally housing Milan’s courts of justice on the upper levels with city markets and public meetings held in its street level arcade. Another curious feature is the half-arch of an adjacent building terminating into the Palazzo. Opposite the Palazzo della Ragione, on the south side of the Piazza, is the Loggia degli Osii, originally built in 1316 for Matteo I Visconti. Its alternating black and white marble around the Gothic arches create a sharp contrast from the surrounding buildings in the square. There are some impressive stone sculptures adorning this facade. The other buildings around the Piazza are equally historic and beautiful. If you find yourself a tourist in Milan headed for the Duomo, do yourself a favor and carve out 30 minutes to experience Piazza Mercanti, a 5-minute walk away, and a peaceful respite from the crowds. #Masonry #Architecture #Milan #Italy #PiazzaMercanti

Join International Masonry Institute, AIA Prairie Illinois, and MASONRY INSTITUTE of SOUTHERN ILLINOIS for a day of masonry education and hands-on bricklaying Wednesday May 15 in Nashville, Illinois. IMI will present a program on Materiality of Masonry; Best Block will present on Building Top Performing Single-Wythe Masonry; and Earthworks Inc. will present on Applications of Natural Stone. Masonry Institute of Southern Illinois will lead an activity of interactive hands-on bricklaying under the supervision of journeyman bricklayers from BAC Local 8 Illinois. Lunch is included, and you’ll pick up AIA HSW learning units. Register at https://lnkd.in/gSQ3vhFa   #Masonry #Education #AIA #Hands-on

It was lots of fun to go back to my alma mater Illinois Institute of Technology last week for the Architecture Open House and see all the great student work on display. I’m proud that International Masonry Institute had a small influence on the work of the second year studio with this semester’s hands-on bricklaying field trip, lecture, and review jury. Proud again that Angelica Conwell's drawings and models were part of the exhibit. And it’s always great to reconnect with classmates and colleagues like Arden Freeman, Ivanhoe Tejeda, Ramu Ramachandran, George Sorich AIA, LEED®AP, Michael Glynn, and so many others. I even saw a few of my old professors from 30+ years ago! This annual event at Crown Hall is an important fabric of Chicago’s architectural community. #IIT #IllinoisInstituteOfTechnology #IllinoisTech IIT Architecture Chicago #CrownHall

“I’m humbled.” This is a phrase I’ve heard people say… and I’ve probably even said it myself in the past. Well, this week I had occasion to reflect what it really means to be humbled. International Masonry Institute hosted an event that featured a panel discussion by the project team from Power Construction and Diverzify documenting an extraordinary use of ceramic tile: 75,000 square feet to be exact. On this project, the tile not only looked amazing, but its precise installation dictated light fixture and sprinkler head locations, plumbing fixture and door heights, drains, and many other architectural features. The owner supplied the tile, all 51 types ranging from mosaic to ultra-large porcelain panels, and the tile contractor was challenged with coordinating what goes where, when, how, and with whom. These are the construction professionals who turn the architects’ designs into reality and make it seem easy, but their work is more complex than I can imagine. Humbling indeed. Many thanks to Jeff Pawelko, Steve Black, Jimmy Fulton, and Mike Spatz from the Life Time Fitness team at One Chicago, a spectacular job that belies its complexity and challenge. Thank you for sharing your experience so we all may learn. And be humbled. Thanks also to all who attended, and to our sponsors Tile Contractors' Association of America (TCAA), Custom Building Products, Virginia Tile Company, Louisville Tile Distributors, Inc., MAPEI USA, LATICRETE International, ARDEX Group, Daltile, Schluter Systems, H.B. Fuller, Platform Surfaces, and Ceramic Tile Contractors Association of Chicago. #Tile #Education #WhyTile @Why Tile #Humbled

According to ANSI standards, slope in a tile floor is measured from the high point to the drain along the farthest point from the drain. Therefore, in a rectangular tributary area, the slope is measured along the hypotenuse valley line. Consider a rectangular floor area with a constant finish floor elevation at the floor’s perimeter and a single drain at the center of the floor. To maintain the constant elevation at the perimeter, the slope will necessarily differ between the long direction and the short direction. And it’s the direction along the valley line that gets installed with the prescribed slope of 1/4 inch per foot*. Typically, the slope in the short direction should be no more than 1/2 inch per foot*. Trained tile setters understand the need to comply with slope requirements, and tile contractors will often generate shop drawings showing the pitch plan with required elevations. *Always follow national and local codes and manufacturers’ recommendations. #Tile #Watertight Why Tile #Slope #Pitch #QualifiedLabor

Another week, another webinar… this one is hosted by AIA Illinois and it’s one of my favorite topics to present: Materiality of Masonry. Please join us next Monday if you’re able. The enduring popularity of masonry in all its forms is largely attributed to the intrinsic properties offered by the materials of brick, block, stone, terra cotta, tile, and terrazzo. But in this era of rapid innovations in construction materials and techniques, does masonry continue to provide value, and how have these materials and assemblies evolved? This seminar takes a close look at the historic architectural significance held by traditional masonry materials, but it also challenges participants to use these materials in innovative ways, showing examples of contemporary design to balance their classic applications. The program then builds on the materials themselves, showing common wall and floor assembly details and emphasizing the importance of designing for performance and contructibility. Finally, it addresses the topic of sustainability and how masonry and tile’s composition of natural and healthy ingredients and their inherent durability translate to buildings that are healthy, long-lasting, and able to be repurposed generations after their initial construction. Register at https://lnkd.in/d2amZuBf #Masonry #Materiality #Education #AIA

Whenever I happen upon a castle, which is more often than you’d think in Europe, I have to stop and take it in. These types of buildings are not customary in America, making them that much more intriguing to me. The Sforzesco Castle in Milan, one of the largest castles in Europe, is a masterpiece of brick and stone masonry. Originally built as the Castello di Porta Giova in the 14th century, it was square in plan with towers at each corner, 600-foot walls that were 23 feet thick enclosing the fortification. It was the main residence of the Visconti lords until it was partially destroyed in 1447. The castle was rebuilt in the 15th century by Sforza Dynasty, Dukes of Milan, who commissioned Leonardo da Vinci, Bramante, and other notable artists to paint frescoes in several rooms. Michelangelo sculpted his final masterpiece, Rondanini Pietà, which can still be viewed at this very castle. The mighty citadel’s walls and towers have been rebuilt and restored throughout the centuries, and today it stands as a steadfast example of how masonry makes the ultimate statement of power and defense. #Castles #Masonry #Architecture #History

When porcelain tile was first introduced in the International Building Code (IBC) as an adhered masonry veneer a decade ago, designers embraced it despite the code’s conservative size and weight restrictions. In the years that followed, innovations in tile, setting materials and labor resulted in larger and lighter tiles, stronger mortar, and specialty-skilled tile installers, leading to groundbreaking changes in what the IBC now allows for tile exteriors. On May 9, my colleague Jeff Diqui and I will present a webinar for the Building Enclosure Council of Chicago on design and construction considerations for exterior adhered tile assemblies. Visit https://lnkd.in/gSa_kxrk for more information.

What a great experience at Coverings this week in Atlanta with our industry partners Tile Contractors' Association of America (TCAA). We delivered a panel presentation on Tile Essentials 101, demonstrated skilled installation of tile with the Advanced Certifications for Tile Installers (ACT) mockups, participated in important ANSI and other technical committee meetings, learned about new and interesting products, reconnected and made tons of new friends, and picked up some wristbands along the way! I’m proud to be a part of North America’s largest tile and stone conference. #Tile #Coverings24 #Coverings #WhyTile Why Tile

Consider the sparkle of the mosaic tile ceiling, the elegance of the large format wall and floor tile, and the subtleness of the porcelain tile linear drain grates in the women’s hot tub area at Chicago’s recently completed Life Time Fitness facility at One Chicago. These materials stand out not only for their beauty and ease of maintenance, but also for their outstanding workmanship. They were installed International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers tile setters and finishers with Diverzify for a general contractor Power Construction and owner with a very high bar for quality. International Masonry Institute is featuring a panel discussion with the project’s construction team at our Chicago Tile Expo on May 2. This event is free for qualified design and construction professionals, and it comes with lunch and 2.0 HSW learning units. More information and registration at https://lnkd.in/gWqfvs49. #Tile #ContinuingEducation #WhyTile Why Tile