Recorded live at the California Masonry Council's Design and Expo Day, host Adam Hutchinson sits down with Christian Benoit, first-place winner in the concrete block category — and a student who had never worked with masonry before this project.
Christian walks through how he turned a studio assignment on compressed stabilized earth block and rammed earth into an award-winning CMU design, why masonry might be sequestering more carbon than anyone realized, and why he thinks architecture schools are missing the boat on teaching masonry the way they teach mass timber.
Along the way, they discuss the real cost comparison between wood-frame and CMU walls, how California's climate zones change the insulation game, and why 150 students showing up to one event might be the blueprint for getting the next generation into the trade.
In this episode:
- How Christian adapted an earth-block studio project into a first-place concrete masonry design
- The surprising research on how much CO2 a CMU can permanently sequester over its lifetime
- Why a CMU wall can cost about the same as a wood-frame wall — once you count the trades
- How California's climate zones affect (or eliminate) the need for insulated block
- What it's like entering the masonry industry with zero prior masonry background
- Why Christian thinks masonry deserves its own place in architecture curricula
- The power of getting students physically in the room — CMC bused 150 students to this event
- What mentorship actually looked like on his path to an architecture degree
- Why showing up to a competition is worth it even if you don't win
What is In The Mix by Northwest Masonry Institute?
In the Mix is a podcast dedicated to the people, projects, and innovations shaping the masonry industry—block by block, brick by brick.
Hosted by Adam Hutchinson, Executive Director and professional engineer, this show brings together architects, engineers, contractors, and industry leaders to explore how masonry drives resilient, sustainable, and high-performance building design.
Each episode breaks down real-world applications of masonry construction, from structural integrity and fire resistance to long-term durability and environmental impact. You’ll hear behind-the-scenes insights, industry challenges, and practical conversations that matter to those designing, building, and specifying with masonry.
If you’re passionate about stronger buildings, smarter construction, and advancing masonry in modern design—this is your place to get in the mix.
Join us in supporting the Masonry Industry mission: https://masonryinstitute.com/in-the-mix