Irvine, CA

Masonry Institute of America

Masonry Institute of America

Providing Technical Support and
Publications since 1957
MIA is now part of California Masonry Council

Providing Technical Support and
Publications since 1957

Need Technical Support on Masonry?, Schedule a meeting
Need Technical Advice on Masonry?, Schedule a meeting

CMSE 2026 is coming in April 2026, stay tuned!

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California Masonry Summit Expo

About MIA

As of May 1st, 2026, the Masonry Institute of America (MIA) has officially merged into CMC, becoming part of the California Masonry Council (CMC) in an effort to consolidate technical assistance, publications, and resources streamlined into a unified platform with expanded reach.

This initiative is part of CMC’s long-term strategic plan to strengthen our organization and enhance our ability to serve our trade and the AEC Community and continuing with MIA’s legacy of being a trusted technical resource.

Our Technical Services remain fully operational throughout this transition, expanding our service offerings with “design-assist”. Our team continues to be available to assist with all technical inquiries and publication needs.

CMC’s team is diligently developing new programs, events, and resources to further our mission of being California’s best masonry resource, fostering connections between the Masonry Trade and the AEC Community, and promoting industry growth.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all our valued partners with MIA and CMC as we navigate through these organizational changes and reaffirm our commitment to continue to work for the good of the Masonry Industry and serving our community.

New Publications and Programs will be announced soon!

2026
CMSE 2026

MIA merges into CMC, kicking off a new era for masonry in California while continuing and expanding MIA's technical legacy.

The 2nd California Masonry Summit & Expo is held in Irvine, featuring the inaugural Masonry Architecture Student Design Competition.

CMC continues to create new programs and content, bringing masonry closer to AEC professionals and supporting students in CA.

CMC is the fastest growing masonry org in social media, with +2,700 followers in LinkedIn and +3,000 in Instagram since launched in 2024.

2025
CMSE 2025

CMC is the organizer of the 1st CA Masonry Summit & Expo held in UCLA, and the 1st CA Masonry Architecture Design Awards for CMU and Brick, becoming a leading masonry organization in CA.

2023

California Masonry Council (CMC) is founded as a division of MIA to promote and expand masonry in California.

CMC kickstarts a strategic plan in 2024, partnering with AEC orgs, creating programs and content, uniting the masonry trade and the AEC community.

2000’s

MIA’S industry stewardship expands under John Chrysler’s leadership as Executive Director, being recognized with TMS President’s Award ‘08, Fellow Membership ’12, & collaborating in TMS review cycles.

1990’s

Over the course of a decade, MIA sells over 32,000 books, publishes 16 new publications, becoming the best technical masonry resource for contractors and the AEC industry in CA.

1987

Masonry Inspector’s Handbook 1st edition marks the start of an era of industry leadership & continued partnership with ICC.

1970’s

MIA publishes Reinforced Masonry Engineering Handbook, begins SEAOC involvement, and kicks off ICC partnership under James Amrhein's leadership as Executive Director.

1963

Masonry Research officially becomes Masonry Institute of America (MIA) continuing to support technical publications.

1957

Masonry Research founded in California to improve and extend the use of masonry.

2026
Logo CMC

 

MIA merges into CMC kicking off a new era pushing masonry in CA into the future, continuing and expanding MIA’s technical legacy.

2nd edition of the CA Masonry Summit & Expo held in Irvine with the addition of the 1st Masonry Architecture Student’s Design Competition.

CMC continues to create new programs and content, bringing masonry closer to AEC professionals and supporting students in CA.

CMC is the fastest growing masonry org in social media, with +2,700 followers in LinkedIn and +3,000 in Instagram since launched in 2024.

2025

CMC is the organizer of the 1st CA Masonry Summit & Expo held in UCLA, and the 1st CA Masonry Architecture Design Awards for CMU and Brick, becoming a leading masonry organization in CA.

2023

California masonry Council (CMC) is founded as division of MIA to promote and expand masonry in CA.

CMC kickstarts a strategic plan in 2024, partnering with AEC orgs, creating programs and content, uniting the masonry trade and the AEC community.

2000’s

MIA’S industry stewardship expands under John Chrysler’s leadership as Executive Director, being recognized with TMS President’s Award ‘08, Fellow Membership ’12, & collaborating in TMS review cycles.

1990’s

Over the course of a decade, MIA sells over 32,000 books, publishes 16 new publications, becoming the best technical masonry resource for contractors and the AEC industry in CA.

1987

Masonry Inspector’s Handbook 1st edition marks the start of an era of industry leadership & continued partnership with ICC.

1970’s

MIA publishers Reinforced Masonry Engineering Handbook, begins SEAOC involvement, and kicks off ICC partnership under James Amrhein leadership as Executive Director.

1963

Masonry Research officially becomes Masonry Institute of America (MIA) continuing to support technical publications.

1957

Masonry Research founded in California to improve and extend the use of masonry.

Books

Reinforced Grouted Brick Masonry, 16th Ed.

The handbook is a stand-alone brick masonry inspection guide that provides details on materials, design and construction techniques associated with the latest code requirements for brick masonry.

$39.95

Vocational Skills Training for Segmental Paver Installation

Excellent resource for vocational training and practical application. Covers all aspects of segmental paver installation including layout, site preparation, accessories and finishing techniques. (1st Edition – 2003)

$19.95

Reinforced Concrete Masonry Construction Inspectors Handbook 9th Edition

The most recognized information source written exclusively for masonry inspection. This book covers all aspects of reinforced concrete masonry construction and inspection. The materials are based on Code requirements and practical experience…

$44.95

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Technical Support

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DISCLAIMER – TECHNICAL SUPPORT

The information, comments, observations, and recommendations provided herein are offered solely in an informal technical advisory capacity for general educational, coordination, and industry-support purposes. These communications are intended to assist project teams, design professionals, contractors, and other stakeholders in discussing masonry-related issues, best practices, constructability considerations, and applicable standards.

The undersigned is not acting as the engineer of record for this project, is not retained to provide professional engineering services for this project, and is not performing project-specific engineering analysis, design, or responsible charge activities. No engineer-client relationship is created through these communications.

All final engineering judgments, calculations, detailing, specifications, code interpretations, dispute resolutions, and project decisions remain solely the responsibility of the project’s licensed engineer of record and associated design professionals.

Any information provided should be independently reviewed and verified for applicability to the specific project conditions, governing codes, standards, and jurisdictional requirements prior to implementation.

Neither the California Masonry Council (CMC), its representatives, nor contributing individuals assume responsibility or liability for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, legal, financial, construction, or performance-related outcomes arising from the use of, interpretation of, or reliance upon the information provided.

The information, comments, observations, and recommendations provided herein are offered solely in an informal technical advisory capacity for general educational, coordination, and industry-support purposes. These communications are intended to assist project teams, design professionals, contractors, and other stakeholders in discussing masonry-related issues, best practices, constructability considerations, and applicable standards.

The undersigned is not acting as the engineer of record for this project, is not retained to provide professional engineering services for this project, and is not performing project-specific engineering analysis, design, or responsible charge activities. No engineer-client relationship is created through these communications.

All final engineering judgments, calculations, detailing, specifications, code interpretations, dispute resolutions, and project decisions remain solely the responsibility of the project’s licensed engineer of record and associated design professionals.

Any information provided should be independently reviewed and verified for applicability to the specific project conditions, governing codes, standards, and jurisdictional requirements prior to implementation.

Neither the California Masonry Council (CMC), its representatives, nor contributing individuals assume responsibility or liability for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, legal, financial, construction, or performance-related outcomes arising from the use of, interpretation of, or reliance upon the information provided.