Materials & Methods of Construction Students Build a Brick Wall

The Hursey Center’s High Bay Structural Engineering Laboratory offers generous space for students to engage in project-based learning. Materials & Methods of Construction (ADT 232) is one course that utilizes the lab to conduct hands-on activities. They recently did just that, with guidance from mason Ralph Vilardi, a former union mason with 40 years of experience.

Vilardi recently visited to teach the class how to build a brick wall. Prior to the visit, students learned about the typical construction techniques and methods required for the project. After, they put their knowledge into practice and worked together to build a small section of a mock-up brick wall.

The class uses multimedia lecture formats and construction site observation to investigate the consequences, costs, and technology of construction materials – from concrete through masonry, steel, and finishes. Partnering with area professionals brings it all to life.

Annie Samuel ’25 is an Architectural Design + Technology student who had the opportunity to participate in the project. She shares, “We spend a lot of time talking about materials in class. Before the wall construction lab, we were learning about concrete. Being able to interact with the material and see it in construction helped me better retain what I was learning, than if we were to only have the lectures in class.” She added, “The concepts we learned during the lab about masonry construction also helped me better understand our next units in class on brick and stone masonry. It was a lot of fun mixing the concrete and mortar and laying the bricks. I was proud to see our final product!”

Mechanical engineering alum Jake Lyga ’21 saw the finished product on CETA social media, commenting, “After seeing this (masonry) in the field after my time at UHart, this is a great thing to see being not just taught but shown, especially for mechanical and civil engineers, and architecture students!”

The activity comes at a great time, as CETA now offers a new undergraduate Construction Management + Technology program. The major seamlessly intertwines courses between CETA’s Department of Architecture, Department of Civil, Environmental, and Biomedical Engineering, and the Barney School of Business to encourage a well-rounded learning experience.

Visit here to learn more about the new program.