Penn State Architecture Students Gain Insight Into Masonry Construction
Published 03.17.2010
News
Building Construction
Construction & Architecture
The Gallery at Penn College
Forty Penn State architecture majors traveled to Pennsylvania College of Technology on Wednesday, working side-by-side with faculty and students from Penn College's School of Construction and Design Technologies. The visitors – accompanied by James Cooper, assistant professor in Penn State's College of Arts and Architecture; instructors Reggie Aviles and Bethan Llewellyn Yen; and teaching assistant Adam Longenbach – cycled through a series of workstations in the masonry lab, gaining practical insight into the hands-on skills required to bring to life their architectural designs. Richard R. Motter and Glenn R. Luse, instructors of building construction at Penn College, joined by students and other well-versed trade representatives, supervised the laying of brick, concrete block and natural stone. A number of industry benefactors also supplied materials and mentorship during the visitors' four-hour stay on main campus: (Anthony Mirachi and Thomas Smith, Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local Union No. 5 of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg; Fred Fischer, mason foreman, Caretti Masonry, Camp Hill; Fred and Heidi Wool, Liberty Bell Stone, Cogan Station; Cliff Grimes, residential/commercial sales, and Mike Lebo, division manager, both from Beavertown Block Co., Pleasant Gap; Shane Kerstetter, Quikrete, Paxinos; and Dale Pepper, BAC Local 5, Williamsport).
— Photos by Tom Wilson, news bureau writer/editor
Penn State students apply mortar to natural stone prior to adding their touch to the wall behind them.
Richard R. Motter, instructor of building construction at Penn College, shares some artisan's pointers with a campus visitor.
Anthony Mirarchi, field representative/apprentice coordinator for Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local Union No. 5 of Pennsylvania, jokingly helps a student to "see the light."
Glenn R. Luse, instructor of building construction, schools his guests in the art of building arches.
As students watch in anticipation, Luse pulls out the supporting template ...
... sparking an impromptu celebration when the creation stands on its own.
With the tools of her newfound trade in hand, a Penn State architecture major adds her stamp to a wall of bricks.
Thomas Smith, newly hired as training and apprentice coordinator for the bricklayers' union local, provides one-on-one instruction.
Motter shares his time-tested form for loading a trowel with mortar.
Incorporating just the right piece from a nearby pile of irregularly shaped mountain stones.
Contributing to a course of block along a growing concrete wall.
A visiting Penn Stater fashions a fit onto a natural-stone facade.
— Photos by Tom Wilson, news bureau writer/editor
Penn State students apply mortar to natural stone prior to adding their touch to the wall behind them.
Richard R. Motter, instructor of building construction at Penn College, shares some artisan's pointers with a campus visitor.
Anthony Mirarchi, field representative/apprentice coordinator for Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local Union No. 5 of Pennsylvania, jokingly helps a student to "see the light."
Glenn R. Luse, instructor of building construction, schools his guests in the art of building arches.
As students watch in anticipation, Luse pulls out the supporting template ...
... sparking an impromptu celebration when the creation stands on its own.
With the tools of her newfound trade in hand, a Penn State architecture major adds her stamp to a wall of bricks.
Thomas Smith, newly hired as training and apprentice coordinator for the bricklayers' union local, provides one-on-one instruction.
Motter shares his time-tested form for loading a trowel with mortar.
Incorporating just the right piece from a nearby pile of irregularly shaped mountain stones.
Contributing to a course of block along a growing concrete wall.
A visiting Penn Stater fashions a fit onto a natural-stone facade.