The Wilbur Chocolate Factory project reinvented a decommissioned chocolate factory complex, built over 100 years ago, into a multi-use development. The multi-use redevelopment project is anchored by the original iconic Wilbur Chocolate Factory structure, which was repurposed into an upscale hotel, market, restaurant, and luxury condominiums. The vision for the project encompasses varied uses to bring more people into this thriving downtown area to ultimately shop, dine, stay and live. 

When building in an established neighborhood, architects and designers have a duty to preserve the authentic style of the neighborhood while telling a new story. Through this lens, architect Morris Adjmi, known for his contextual yet contemporary designs, brought the idea of The Grand Mulberry to fruition. This twenty-condominium residence overlooks New York City’s historic Little Italy and its handcrafted design resembles traditional Italian craftsmanship while still making a bold statement within this celebrated neighborhood.

Adjmi, together with his firm Morris Adjmi Architects, creates buildings that stand out by fitting in. “Buildings should reflect their surrounding neighborhood while resonating on their own,” Adjmi explained. “Our buildings rarely shout, but they always have something to say.”

Little Italy is one of the most beloved and recognizable New York City neighborhoods. Any new structure faces the challenge of blending seamlessly with the sensitive urban context while making enough of an impression on its own.With The Grand Mulberry, Adjmi used brickwork to emulate the façades of classic Italian tenements while incorporating a modern style of window arrangements. The result is a thoughtfully constructed landmark likely to overlook the neighborhood as long as its centuries-old neighbors.

Q: What were your design goals for The Grand Mulberry?
A. From the onset of the project, the design objective was to create a contemporary interpretation of the historicItalianate tenements found throughout Little Italy. Little Italy is one of New York City’s most iconic and beloved neighborhoods, and any new construction must simultaneously honor the existing cityscape and speak for itself. The custom profiled Glen-Gery bricks that clad The Grand Mulberry allowed us to create a spectral reference to this heritage in a unique way.

Q. What story is being told through The Grand Mulberry?
A. With its façade, The Grand Mulberry tells a story about its neighborhood’s past, present, and future. We were inspired by the classical architectural characteristics of traditional Italianate tenements but also wanted to create a modern building that reflects how we live and design today. This notion unlocked the entire concept. With an unexpected pattern of custom-profiled bricks, we set out to present an illusion of an Italianate façade. Then, we overlaid a contemporary arrangement of windows to create a dialogue between the historic context and a fresh approach to residential design.

Q. Did you face any challenges with this project?
A. The unique masonry pattern could have presented a potential challenge during construction. However, the integrity of the bricks fabricated by Glen-Gery, the level of detail put into the development of the architectural drawings by the Morris Adjmi team, and the quality of work provided by the masonry subcontractor (ARK BuildersCorp.) allowed for a tremendously smooth construction process.

Q. What did you love most about the completed project?
A. I love that The Grand Mulberry is an example of how new design ideas can be applied to traditional methods and materials to create something fresh and compelling. While the façade pattern is traditional, the application of the hand-molded, domed bricks is very modern—each brick was carefully positioned within the double-stacked running bond coursing. Though the bricks are unique and custom-shaped, they were installed using a very traditional bricklaying method by expert masons.

Q. Tell us about the bricks used and how the dots were used to create a series of patterns.
A. The domed bricks were chosen for their ability to provide shadow relief and add depth. We thought of the dome or dot as a pixel that could be used to create a drawing on the building’s façade without needing to introduce additional colors and materials to the palette. The red-orange color pays homage to the red brick buildings found throughout Little Italy and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Q. Brick typically represents the hue of a city based on what’s in the clay and dirt, offering a material palette for a building’s design. You elevate this in your design approach, to weave in a city or community’s history. History seems to play an important role. What are your thoughts on this?
A. Many of our buildings are rooted in an understanding of context and history, but our work is not historic. There is an underlying modernist sensibility to everything we do. This idea never seemed particularly contradictory to me.Historic and contemporary styles are not opposing forces but rather complementary ones; their coexistence is essential in creating a sense of architectural continuity in our cities.

I believe this approach helps us design buildings that have an emotional resonance—that is, buildings that evoke images, ideas, and memories related to their historic contexts—but are still relevant to the way we live and work today.

Morris Adjmi and The Grand Mulberry are featured within Folio 2, the second edition of Folio-a publication byGlen-Gery that features work by some of today’s most inspiring architectural and design firms across the nation.Request your complimentary copy here.

According to research, women represent approximately 21.3% of the masonry industry population. While the industry at-large remains male-dominated, it's important to celebrate the many female leaders within the industry who are already making waves and breaking the status quo. 

A great example is Casey Weisdock, director of industry development and technical services for the International Masonry Institute. Weisdock develops and promotes best practices for masonry construction, restoration, and preservation through education, resource generation, and technical assistance. She has earned the trust of her colleagues through her respectful work ethic, curious approach, and commitment to learning. 

Ahead of International Women's Day, we sat down with Weisdock to discuss the challenges and rewards faced by women in masonry today, and how the industry as a whole can further support women and gender equality. 

Q: What kind of work are you currently doing?
A: I work for the International Masonry Institute (IMI), a labor-management partnership that supports the industry at-large through education and developing resources, best practices, and codes and standards. We educate and provide as much information as needed so that more people utilize masonry in design and those installing materials are well-trained union craftworkers. We're really trying to tackle every aspect of the industry. 

My background is in historic preservation, a more specialized aspect of the greater construction industry. I've moved into a broader role at IMI, but it's great because I can lean on my historic preservation expertise, which is what a lot of the education I provide surrounds. 

Q:When did you first become interested in masonry? What attracted you to it?
A: Growing up, I was interested in architecture in general, specifically masonry architecture. My mom was really interested in architecture so I spent a lot of my free time going to historic sites and visiting historic buildings. And, many of the historic buildings I would see were made of masonry because it's a material that has the lasting power and lifespan that can withstand hundreds of years. 

I also consider myself a maker or a craftsperson. My grandmother taught me how to sew and knit at a young age, so I've always been interested in arts and crafts. When I started studying historic preservation, I was able to combine my artistic background with my interest in architecture. 

Q: What keeps you passionate about the job?
A: The biggest thing is that I'm always learning. My commitment to lifelong learning has really pushed me to remain engaged, because the construction industry and construction technologies are always evolving. For me, to continue to be an educator, I have to educate myself. Part of me loves to educate because it's essentially empowering others to achieve more in their lives; that's a piece that's really specific as to why I love the work that I do. 

Q: What does it mean to be a female in masonry?
A: In general, being a woman in a male-dominated industry allows you to bring a unique perspective to the table and a new voice to the conversation. You also get to defy stereotypes and expectations. What that offers is that you get to forge your own path in a way that maybe is different from others in industries where the gender dynamic is more equal. 

Q: What has your experience working in the industry been like so far?
A: Obviously, the masonry industry is still a male-dominated industry, like so many other industries. At the same time, I've felt my experience within the industry has been overwhelmingly positive. I'm not saying I expected anything different, but I didn't know what to expect. 

I have been continuously met with respect. I really think it's all about mutually meeting people where they are, and also approaching others with a level of respect and curiosity, that has made it possible for others to do the same for me. 

Q: What are some challenges that you have experienced and how did you overcome them?
A: I feel like it's more a general perspective of being a woman in a male-dominated industry; I feel pressure from myself to always give 100 percent and to also really know what I'm talking about. It's an exaggerated pressure to really do my due diligence so that when I do speak on something, I can gain that trust and respect. So, it does feel like there's less room for error. 

I feel like more and more, women are coming into the masonry industry and trades. As more women come in, the fabric of the industry at-large is changing and because of that, it's becoming more supportive of women in many ways. Structurally, the industry is changing in ways that's more supportive and helpful, and meeting the needs of women. 

Q: Have you seen any examples of how the industry has become more supportive of women?
A: As more women enter what was a male-dominated field, or a field that has evolved to meet men's needs, I think the masonry industry is now evolving to meet women's needs. For example, last year, the International Masonry Training and Education Foundation (IMTEF) introduced a paid maternity benefit to support pregnant women and new mothers represented by the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftsworks (BAC). In conjunction, IMI partnered with KinderCare Education to offer a childcare discount to BAC members, something that will support both working mothers and fathers. Those kinds of things have previously been a barrier to women who are considering pursuing a career in this industry. Those are things that are changing and making it more possible for women to invest in a career like this while also meeting their own needs. 

Q: What are some tips or advice you have for young women interested in a career in masonry?
A: First, we need to remember to lift each other up. There's room for everybody. Secondly, find a mentor or team you can confide in. Utilize the support that is already there. Third, approach is really important. If you lead with respect, curiosity, and an open mind, then you typically receive that back; and if you don't, move on. For the most part, I think how you approach others often teaches others how to approach you. Lastly, it may seem trite, but don't be afraid to take up space and balance that with close listening. 

The Handmade Home, by Jamin and Ashley Mills, share their experiences renovating their home through DIY projects. Their latest project consists of a paver pathway in the front of their home, which include some special engraved brick pavers by Glen-Gery. Keep reading to learn more about their project! 

Q: Why did you choose to design/redesign this space?
A: Our 1976 aggregate wasn't serving our home well. It was slippery, old and crumbling. It did nothing for the over-all curb appeal. We'd already refinished the outside, but the sidewalk was another story. We knew we wanted softer curves to add to our front yard to soften our home's split level angles from the outside. Brick pavers were a natural choice to incorporate that timeless look.

Q: What made you choose the market street paver?
A: We adore the tumbled finish and color of this amazing paver. We definitely wanted a timeless look with lots of instant character. This brick paver was perfect for the final look we were going for.

Q: What was your design inspiration?
A: There's something about the timeless appeal of old streets in brick. Our own college in Auburn Alabama had brick pavers on sidewalks in walking to class, and there is a certain nostalgia about that. Some of our favorite historical cities we've visited, like New Orleans and Charleston maintain brick pavers for the same timeless tradition. It made sense to bring this detail to our front yard for a great look and as a nod to where we live now, in Franklin Tennessee. It's an area rich in history, and we just adore a lovely brick pathway. 

Q: How has Glen-Gery products helped to transform your space?
A: The before and after definitely speak for themselves with the amazing change. But you know you've made a difference in your front yard before adding any new greenery when all the neighbors are complimenting that new brick pathway. Our son's bus driver even told him "the yard is looking so good" when he stepped off the bus one day. This will be an ongoing landscaping project we only hope to add to it in the spring, so it's already made a huge difference. 

Q: What was your experience working with Glen-Gery products?
A: Glen-Gery is a solid, dependable product that adds such a beautiful accent to any home. We really loved implementing this project into our front yard space. One of our favorite elements was the personalization that was added to that walkway. If you look closely, you can find our children's names and Mills, est. 2002. It's a special little addition that was so subtle, but also means so much. 

Q: Would you use Glen-Gery products again in the future?
A: Absolutely. The brick made such a huge difference, I would love to add more in different ways around our home. 

Q: Would you recommend Glen-Gery to a friend?
A: I recommend Glen-Gery to anyone that will listen! From clients to friends and strangers in the coffee shop, their quality is just amazing.

Q: What project is next on your list?
A: Our 1976 home has been a complete remodel over time. We hope to add some more entertaining areas and landscaping around our pool in the future, in the back yard. We also have {very future} plans for a stand alone carriage house and garage that doubles as an art studio. An artist can dream, right?

Q: What would you do differently if you had the chance to redo this project?
A: I would have added knee pads :D But all joking aside, I'm not sure we would change anything.

Q: What was your favorite/least favorite part of the whole process?
A: It was really satisfying to see that brick go down so easily, in such a fun pattern. We can't wait to see how good it looks in the spring when we can add real plants, greenery and a cutting garden around the border for a gorgeous feel. Our fingers are crossed that some of our plants made it through that cold this winter. Either way though, the brick is looking great. 

Q: How would you rate the projects outcome?
A: We are thrilled with the way it all turned out. I would say excellent.