05/22/2026
AIA NEI Masonry In-Person Event
Thursday, May 28, 2026 | 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
IMI Training Center, 2140 Corporate Drive, Addison IL 60101
Join us as AIA NEI hosts two back-to-back programs on best practices in working with masonry. This event offers 2 LU | HSW credits. Drinks and appetizers will be available.
Link to register: https://aianei.memberclicks.net/index.php?option=com_jevents&task=icalrepeat.detail&evid=113&Itemid=115&year=2026&month=05&day=28&title=aia-nei-masonry-in-person-event&uid=5a9760502c8800fea675e551ea1d014a
Building Failures: How Architects Can Lead with Solutions
Masonry buildings constructed with CMU and embedded roof trusses are failing at an alarming rate in Chicago. An unfortunate combination of new materials and old-world construction methods has led to this situation. Restoring these buildings requires a combination of bulk water and moisture v***r management. This course presents solutions that manage bulk water, dry out wet walls, manage condensation production behind roof membranes and, when caught in time, can prevent trusses from rotting.
Learning Objectives:
Recognize signs of moisture intrusion in masonry buildings and identify common moisture intrusion entry points.
Describe how building science, supply chain and installation/repair methods impact each other in the field.
Describe how condensation forms behind low-slope roofing membranes and in interstitial roof spaces
Describe how providing pathways for moisture v***r to exit a building can restore a wet building to a healthy building.
Explain how some compromised trusses can be reinforced to restore structural integrity.
TIPS FOR DETAILING MASONRY ASSEMBLIES: LESSONS LEARNED FROM IMI’s DRAWING REVIEWS
Over the years IMI has conducted thousands of masonry assembly drawing and specification reviews for architects, engineers, construction managers, general contractors, and mason contractors. This seminar is a collection of reoccurring edits of construction documents and emerging methods that will aid the attendee in understanding how to develop comprehensive masonry documents to create more functional, durable, constructable, aesthetically pleasing and economical masonry details.
Providing more thorough masonry information in construction documents will aid the masonry contractors to generate more inclusive bids, minimize or eliminate requests for information (RFI’s) and changes during construction, and help the design professional establish realistic masonry expectations for their next project.
Learning Objectives:
Understand how masonry drawings and specifications are coordinated.
Discover the process for conducting masonry reviews.
Review some of the more common and reoccurring masonry detailing mistakes in architectural and structural construction documents.
Learn how to create comprehensive masonry details and specifications.
CE: 2 LU | HSW
