In The Mix by Northwest Masonry Institute

Adam Hutchinson
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Non-Profit

In the Mix is a podcast dedicated to the people, projects, and innovations shaping the masonry industry—block by block, brick by brick. Hosted by Adam Hutchinson, Executive Director and professional engineer, this show brings together architects, engineers, contractors, and industry leaders to explore how masonry drives resilient, sustainable, and high-performance building design. Each episode breaks down real-world applications of masonry construction, from structural integrity and fire resistance to long-term durability and environmental impact. You’ll hear behind-the-scenes insights, industry challenges, and practical conversations that matter to those designing, building, and specifying with masonry. If you’re passionate about stronger buildings, smarter construction, and advancing masonry in modern design—this is your place to get in the mix. Join us in supporting the Masonry Industry mission: https://masonryinstitute.com/in-the-mix

  1. 4d ago

    18. Seven Buildings Stood, the Rest Got Demolished: Why URM Retrofits Actually Work | Mason Moritz

    After the 2003 Paso Robles earthquake, seven retrofitted unreinforced masonry buildings walked away nearly untouched. The ones that hadn't been strengthened? Torn down. Mason Moritz, once a structural engineer at Holmes in San Francisco, now a field engineer for Python Fasteners, joins the podcast to explain why that story keeps repeating, and why most engineers never hear it. Python manufactures the first ICC-certified, seismically rated anchor for existing masonry, born out of the Christchurch earthquake's real-world stress test on New Zealand's historic buildings. Mason's job now is closing the gap he used to sit on the other side of: most engineering programs teach little to no masonry design, so URM gets written off as a liability instead of understood as an asset.    In this episode: The Paso Robles case study: retrofitted URM buildings vs. the ones that got demolishedHow the Christchurch earthquake shaped Python's anchor researchWhy URM has a bad reputation engineers haven't been taught to questionMason's path from Holmes Structural Engineers to studying historic buildings in Portugal and the Czech RepublicClosing the education gap: Berkeley, Cal Poly SLO, and Trento research partnershipsStabilize-in-place vs. rip-out-and-replace, and what's at stake for historic building stockWhy reuse is the ultimate sustainability move: "the greenest building is the one that's already there"Learn more about the Northwest Masonry Institute: https://masonryinstitute.com/in-the-mix

  2. Aug 11

    17. How a PR Graduate and Pilot Ended Up Championing the Masonry Industry | William Sundquist

    Recorded live at the California Masonry Council's Design and Expo Day, host Adam Hutchinson sits down with William Sundquist of General Shale and the National Construction Specification Institute (CSI) to explore why brick continues to be one of the most authentic, durable, and sustainable building materials available today.   William shares his unexpected path into the masonry industry, explains why performance—not aesthetics—should always drive specifications, and makes the case for preserving historic masonry while helping designers better understand brick's long-term value. From thermal mass and lifecycle costs to sustainability and craftsmanship, this conversation highlights why masonry has a powerful story to tell—and why the industry needs to do a better job telling it.    In this episode: How a PR graduate with a pilot's license found a lifelong career in the masonry industry Why great masonry specifications start with performance—not appearance The costly mistakes that happen when restoration projects use the wrong mortar Why preserving historic masonry buildings protects both communities and culture How brick's thermal mass and longevity make it a naturally sustainable building material The overlooked sustainability story the masonry industry needs to tell Why authenticity and craftsmanship continue to set masonry apart from other building systems How General Shale is helping provide building envelope solutions across North America Why architects, builders, and owners should be thinking more about lifecycle cost—not just upfront price The importance of inspiring the next generation of designers through industry events and education   Connect with William:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-sundquist-fcsi-9352522b Website: https://generalshale.com/   Learn more about the Northwest Masonry Institute:  https://masonryinstitute.com/in-the-mix

  3. Aug 4

    16. How Contractors, Architects & Manufacturers Are Teaming Up to Grow Masonry | Ken Tejeda

    Live from the California Masonry Council Design & Expo, Adam sits down with Ken Tejeda of R&R Masonry to explore the power of collaboration, legacy, and advocacy in the masonry industry. As a second-generation contractor, Ken shares how his family's business has evolved over six decades and why the future of masonry depends on contractors, manufacturers, architects, and industry organizations working together with a shared vision. Ken also discusses the growing role of the California Masonry Council in promoting masonry across the state, the importance of educating architects and owners about the material's long-term value, and why durability, fire resilience, seismic performance, and timeless design continue to make masonry one of the strongest building solutions available. Whether you're a contractor, designer, or industry advocate, this conversation is packed with practical insights on protecting and growing the future of masonry. In This Episode: How family businesses continue to shape the masonry industryWhy collaboration is the key to growing masonry's market shareThe role of the California Masonry Council in promoting the industryMasonry's biggest advantages: durability, fire resilience, seismic performance, and design flexibilityWhy architects and building owners need a better understanding of masonry's long-term valueHow education, outreach, and hands-on experiences can increase masonry adoptionWhy the next generation should get involved and help shape the future of the industry Connect with Ken: LinkedIn: Linkedinlinkedin.com/in/ken-tejeda-72470a1a9

  4. Jul 28

    15. Training the Next Generation of the Concrete Industry with Jon Huddleston

    Engineering enrollment nationally has dropped 14% in the last couple of years. One concrete program is growing 5-10% a year — and 85% of its students graduate with zero college debt. How? In this episode, Adam sits down with Jon Huddleston, Director of the Concrete Industry Management Program at Middle Tennessee State University, to talk about where the next generation of the concrete and masonry industry is actually going to come from. Jon breaks down the scholarship model behind that debt-free graduation rate (hint: giving students a completely free ride might be the worst thing you can do for them), why hands-on competitions like the concrete canoe are non-negotiable for getting students to actually care, and the pitch he's making to the masonry industry specifically — get in the room with these students before someone else does.  If you've ever wondered where your next generation of masons, engineers, and estimators is coming from, this one's for you. Topics covered: The scholarship strategy behind an 85% debt-free graduation rate — and why full rides don't workWhy masonry needs its own version of the concrete canoe or bowling ball competitionHow a program with no household name is growing against a national enrollment declineThe case for industry-funded student travel to conferences and symposiumsWhy 95% of students need to see and touch it before it clicksJon's advice to every prospective student on networking, internships, and staying off their phonesA NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center project that hints at where the material is headed nextConnect with Jon Huddleston:Concrete Industry Management Program at Middle Tennessee State University: https://www.mtsu.edu/program/concrete-industry-management-concrete-contracting-concentration-b-s/ Learn more about the Northwest Masonry Institute: https://masonryinstitute.com/in-the-mix

  5. Jul 21

    14. How a Broken Church Window Launched a 20-Year Masonry Career | Daniel "Mr. Jamez" Trippel

    Daniel "Mr. Jamez" Trippel's masonry career started with a rock through a church window. His buddy threw it and a couple at that church happened to own a masonry supply yard that needed a yard guy. Twenty-some years later, that accidental first job has become a career spanning hands-on craftsmanship, business ownership, and now commercial architectural sales with Mutual Materials, where he's just 30 days in and already calling himself "the tip of the spear" for getting masonry specced on projects. In this episode, Daniel tells Adam the whole unlikely story: starting as a laborer loading trucks, launching his own masonry company at 23, building it for five years — and walking away when the 2008 crash took his builders down with it. Now, after two decades installing the end product, he's on the other side of the process, putting samples in front of architects and designers so that somewhere down the line, a mason has a job to go to. Adam and Daniel also run the masonry industry through a SWOT analysis: why durability is masonry's biggest sustainability advantage, why the industry's segmentation is its own worst weakness, and why the biggest threat isn't competing materials — it's misinformation about what modern masonry can do. Plus, the story behind the "Mr. Jamez" persona, and why a made-up name might be the smartest career move in the trades. In This Episode: How a rock through a church window accidentally launched a masonry careerStarting a company at 23 — and why hiring his dad was the whole pointWhat the 2008 crash taught Daniel about surviving in the tradesWhy tilt-up isn't actually faster: the 28 curing days nobody counts"The most green building is the one that's already built" — masonry's real sustainability caseWhy post-1997 masonry buildings meet seismic standards (and the misconception that won't die)What 1,000-year-old buildings in Munich and Prague can teach Northwest architectsWhy showrooms beat spec sheets: getting materials into designers' hands78 masonry associations pulling in different directions — and the push to unite themThe origin of "Mr. Jamez," and why building a persona can change your career trajectory Connect with Mr. Jamez: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mr_jamez_/ Website: https://www.mutualmaterials.com/ Learn more about the Northwest Masonry Institute:  https://masonryinstitute.com/in-the-mix

  6. Jul 14

    13. Block Party: The Community College Student Who Out-Designed the Competition

    Recorded live at the California Masonry Council's Design and Expo Day, host Adam Hutchinson sits down with Christian Benoit, first-place winner in the concrete block category — and a student who had never worked with masonry before this project.    Christian walks through how he turned a studio assignment on compressed stabilized earth block and rammed earth into an award-winning CMU design, why masonry might be sequestering more carbon than anyone realized, and why he thinks architecture schools are missing the boat on teaching masonry the way they teach mass timber.  Along the way, they discuss the real cost comparison between wood-frame and CMU walls, how California's climate zones change the insulation game, and why 150 students showing up to one event might be the blueprint for getting the next generation into the trade. In this episode: How Christian adapted an earth-block studio project into a first-place concrete masonry designThe surprising research on how much CO2 a CMU can permanently sequester over its lifetimeWhy a CMU wall can cost about the same as a wood-frame wall — once you count the tradesHow California's climate zones affect (or eliminate) the need for insulated blockWhat it's like entering the masonry industry with zero prior masonry backgroundWhy Christian thinks masonry deserves its own place in architecture curriculaThe power of getting students physically in the room — CMC bused 150 students to this eventWhat mentorship actually looked like on his path to an architecture degreeWhy showing up to a competition is worth it even if you don't winLearn more about the Northwest Masonry Institute: https://masonryinstitute.com/in-the-mix

  7. Jul 7

    12. How Masonry Is Preserving History After the Palisades Fire | Evan Hall

    In this episode of In The Mix, Evan Hall joins Adam live from the California Masonry Council Design & Expo to discuss Project Chimney, an inspiring initiative preserving historic masonry chimneys that survived the Palisades Fire. Evan shares how House Museum partnered with masonry contractors and industry organizations to carefully salvage these iconic structures, protecting an important piece of Los Angeles' architectural history while creating a lasting memorial to resilience and recovery. Evan also discusses the vital role masonry plays in historic preservation, why the industry's craftsmanship deserves greater recognition, and how better storytelling, collaboration, and community engagement can help inspire the next generation of builders. This conversation offers a unique perspective on the lasting value of masonry—not only as a building material, but as a way of preserving culture, history, and craftsmanship. In This Episode: The story behind Project Chimney and the preservation of historic Palisades chimneysWhy masonry remains one of the world's most durable and resilient building materialsHow contractors safely salvage and reconstruct historic masonry structuresThe importance of preserving both architectural history and skilled trade knowledgeWhy branding and storytelling are major opportunities for the masonry industryHow collaboration between preservationists and masonry professionals is driving innovationThe importance of inspiring homeowners, architects, and the next generation of masonsConnect with Evan:Website: https://www.house.museum/mission/leadershipInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/evan.hall/ Learn more about the Northwest Masonry Institute: https://masonryinstitute.com/in-the-mix

  8. Jul 2

    11. Why California Is Leaning on Masonry to Survive Wildfires and Earthquakes | Emeka Ukaga (California Masonry Council)

    In this episode of In The Mix, Adam sits down with Emeka Ukaga from the California Masonry Council to discuss the future of masonry and why the industry has an incredible opportunity to lead conversations around resilience, sustainability, and innovative building design. Drawing on his background in architectural engineering and building policy, Emeka shares how organizations like the California Masonry Council are helping bridge the gap between technical expertise, education, and industry advocacy. Together, they explore how masonry can play a critical role in addressing today's biggest building challenges—from wildfire resilience and energy efficiency to creative architectural design and long-term durability. They also discuss why stronger collaboration, better storytelling, and continued innovation will help position masonry as the material of choice for the next generation of construction. In This Episode: How the California Masonry Council is advancing technical education, advocacy, and industry marketingWhy masonry is uniquely positioned to meet today's demands for resilient and sustainable constructionThe role building codes and public policy play in shaping the future of the industryHow architects and engineers can push the creative boundaries of masonry designWhy wildfire resilience, durability, and long-term performance are becoming more important than everThe value of collaboration, mentorship, and knowledge sharing across the masonry communityWhy the industry must do a better job telling masonry's story to designers, owners, and the publicConnect with Emeka: Website: https://www.californiamasonrycouncil.org/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ckukaga Learn more about the Northwest Masonry Institute: https://masonryinstitute.com/in-the-mix

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In the Mix is a podcast dedicated to the people, projects, and innovations shaping the masonry industry—block by block, brick by brick. Hosted by Adam Hutchinson, Executive Director and professional engineer, this show brings together architects, engineers, contractors, and industry leaders to explore how masonry drives resilient, sustainable, and high-performance building design. Each episode breaks down real-world applications of masonry construction, from structural integrity and fire resistance to long-term durability and environmental impact. You’ll hear behind-the-scenes insights, industry challenges, and practical conversations that matter to those designing, building, and specifying with masonry. If you’re passionate about stronger buildings, smarter construction, and advancing masonry in modern design—this is your place to get in the mix. Join us in supporting the Masonry Industry mission: https://masonryinstitute.com/in-the-mix

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