In this episode of In The Mix, Adam sits down with Emeka Ukaga from the California Masonry Council to discuss the future of masonry and why the industry has an incredible opportunity to lead conversations around resilience, sustainability, and innovative building design. Drawing on his background in architectural engineering and building policy, Emeka shares how organizations like the California Masonry Council are helping bridge the gap between technical expertise, education, and industry advocacy.

Together, they explore how masonry can play a critical role in addressing today's biggest building challenges—from wildfire resilience and energy efficiency to creative architectural design and long-term durability. They also discuss why stronger collaboration, better storytelling, and continued innovation will help position masonry as the material of choice for the next generation of construction.

In This Episode:

• How the California Masonry Council is advancing technical education, advocacy, and industry marketing
• Why masonry is uniquely positioned to meet today's demands for resilient and sustainable construction
• The role building codes and public policy play in shaping the future of the industry
• How architects and engineers can push the creative boundaries of masonry design
• Why wildfire resilience, durability, and long-term performance are becoming more important than ever
• The value of collaboration, mentorship, and knowledge sharing across the masonry community
• Why the industry must do a better job telling masonry's story to designers, owners, and the public

Connect with Emeka:
Website: https://www.californiamasonrycouncil.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ckukaga

Learn more about the Northwest Masonry Institute: https://masonryinstitute.com/in-the-mix