Leonard Masonry Receives Design Award
Leonard Masonry Receives Design Award
Masonry contractor honored for industry excellence
ST. LOUIS, Oct. 20, 2005 - Leonard Masonry Inc. has received an Honor Award in the AIA/CPC Design Awards Excellence Program. The St. Louis-based masonry contractor was honored for its work on the St. John Apostle and Evangelist Catholic Church.
"We take great pride in bringing exceptional design and impeccable masonry to every project," said Jeff Leonard, president. "Although it can be a challenge, we believe any time you have the chance to return a historic building to its former glory, you should seize the opportunity."
Sponsored by the American Institute of Architects' St. Louis Chapter and the Construction Products Council of St. Louis, the awards were presented at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center on Sept. 22, 2005.
Leonard Masonry received an Honor Award in the craftsmanship division for its ability to match the existing mortar and bricks to the two bell towers of St. John Apostle and Evangelist Catholic Church in downtown St. Louis. Erected circa 1857, the towers were badly deteriorated, with abundant settlement cracks and open joints. The team temporarily removed each tower roof via crane, demolished the existing brick, and installed new brick with a reinforced CMU backup.
Due to the church's city landmark status, the new construction had to match the existing in all respects, including exterior dimension, proportion, detail and color. Leonard Masonry and Dickinson Hussman Architects collaborated through meticulous material selection and installation to achieve a seamless transition from new to old. Finished elevations are a near-perfect match for the original towers - arched vent windows surrounded by a recessed plane are highlighted by projecting gingerbread arches; above, corbelled dentils transition to a forward plane, capped by a new copper roof. In the end, the mason exceeded expectations, creating an improved structure while maintaining the historic character of this church.
Founded in 1959, Leonard Masonry Inc. has grown to be the largest masonry contractor in St. Louis and is recognized for its fine craftsmanship and on-time work delivery within budget. This family-owned business has been the masonry contractor on many of St. Louis' landmark structures, including the Missouri temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Anheuser-Busch Hall at Washington University School of Law, the Charles F. Knight Center, Shaw Park Plaza and the Thomas F. Eagleton Federal Courthouse.