Philadelphia is a brick city, shaped as much by the material as by the craft of those who built it. From early building requirements and regional clay industries to the skilled labor that formed its rowhouse neighborhoods and civic institutions, masonry has played a central role in establishing both the physical character and construction culture of the region. That tradition remains visible today and contributes to Philadelphia’s character as a destination city through the consistency of its brick-built environment.

This session examines brick as a shared discipline developed through the collaboration of industry, trades, designers, and builders. Presented in collaboration with the International Masonry Institute (IMI), the session begins with the historical development of masonry in Philadelphia, including regional material production, the evolution of masonry craft, and the construction methods that shaped the city’s built environment. Within this context, this history also addresses the relationship between material production and labor, including the persistence of hand-pressed brick alongside emerging industrial methods and the ways in which changes in brick manufacturing influenced construction practices and craft.

The session then turns to how architects in Philadelphia have historically used brick as a means of shaping architecture, from early civic and residential work to more recent projects across the city. Through a selected body of projects by multiple architects, Moto Designshop will examine how brick shapes surface, depth, pattern, and light, and how these approaches have evolved over time. These examples allow for comparison across projects, revealing how brick continues to operate as a medium of expression within the city while adapting to new expectations, technologies, and methods of construction.

The final portion focuses on the realization of this work through construction. Through selected Moto Designshop projects as case studies, Moto Designshop and IMI will demonstrate how more complex masonry assemblies are developed and executed through mockups, coordination with structural systems, integration of reinforcement, and sequencing of construction. These examples illustrate how close collaboration between Architect, Contractor, and Engineer (ACE) is required to maintain constructability and performance.

By connecting historical development, built work, and construction practice, the session demonstrates how Philadelphia’s masonry tradition continues to support skilled labor, reinforce collaboration across the building professions, and shape the ongoing development of the city.

Our Presenters 

Casey Weisdock, International Masonry Institute 

Casey Woodstock is an architectural conservator with experience spanning preservation design, project management, and construction implementation. She supports masonry restoration internationally and serves as a regional director for the International Masonry Institute. Casey also develops and teaches preservation training programs and previously led the APT Delaware Valley Chapter.

Adam Montalbano, AIA Moto Designshop - Founding Partner, Managing Director

As Managing Partner, Adam oversees the operations of the studio and leads Moto’s residential, historic, and interior design projects. His approach to material composition and coordination is responsible for Moto’s unique pallet, balancing the opportunities of contemporary design with the well-known benefits of classically rooted design fundamentals.

Eric Oskey, AIA Moto Designshop - Partner, Technical Director

As Technical Director, Eric brings into being Moto’s creative vision through the sophisticated application of assemblies, material science, building systems, and construction knowledge. Joining the firm in 2012, his substantial previous experience, which includes working at the Pritzker Prize winning office of Venturi Scott Brown, allows him to efficiently lead our large-scale and institutional projects, while navigating their intricate dynamics.