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### Belden Brick Celebrates Craft, Competition, and Color at the 2026 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500
The excitement of the crowd, the rhythm of trowels, and the undeniable pride of the masonry trade were on full display at the [**2026 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500®**](https://www.specmix.com/spec-mix-bricklayer-500/), and **The Belden Brick Company**, a long-time sponsor of the event, was proud to support masonry’s most prestigious international competition once again.

As a dedicated sponsor of the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500®, Belden Brick remains deeply committed to supporting the **skilled masonry workforce** that builds our communities and drives the future of the brick industry. This competition not only celebrates speed and endurance but also emphasizes craftsmanship, teamwork, and the future of the masonry industry, values that align directly with Belden’s legacy.

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#### **The Challenge: Speed, Skill, and Precision**
Often referred to as the “Super Bowl of Masonry,” the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® challenges the world’s best masons and mason tenders to build a **26-foot-long, high-quality brick wall in just one hour.** Precision, efficiency, and coordination are critical, as every brick is judged by both quality and quantity.

#### **The Contenders: Elite Bricklayers from Around the World**
The 2026 competition featured **28 elite teams** representing the **United States, Canada, Great Britain, and Australia**, bringing international energy and world-class talent to the event.

**Among the standout teams and competitors were:**
- **Returning 2025 World Champions:** Cole Stamper, mason, and Forest Stamper, mason tender, who returned to defend their title with the confidence and focus of seasoned champions.
- **Returning 2025 Top Craftsman:** Darian Douthit, mason, alongside mason tender Trapper Reeves, continuing to set the benchmark for quality workmanship.
- **Rising Stars:** Jason McKinney, mason, and Ryan Burdette, mason tender, the youngest team to win the SPEC MIX Western Pennsylvania Regional Championship, demonstrated that the next generation of masonry talent is already making its mark.
- **International Standouts:** Team Amuso, consisting of Damian Amuso, mason, and Scott Law, mason tender, represented Australia with remarkable consistency and craftsmanship. Known for their high production rates and disciplined technique, Team Amuso has gained recognition on the international stage and continues to set higher standards for competitive bricklaying worldwide.

![Contenders01-template300-03.jpg](https://content.beldenbrick.com/uploads/Contenders01_template300_03_59e501db95.jpg)

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#### **Crowning the World’s Best Bricklayer**
After an intense hour of competition, **Grant Helms**, mason, and his mason tender, **Keith Helms**, won the top honor as the **2026 “World’s Best Bricklayer.”** Their victory came from laying 726 bricks, marking another milestone in Grant's already impressive résumé. This includes winning the [**2021 JR. SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500®**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPa1N2o0mAw) and securing First Place in the Level 3 division of the [MCAA Masonry Skills Challenge](https://masoncontractors.org/Default.aspx?pageID=13850) in Las Vegas. At just 18 years old, he also won $500 in the side competition [“BEAT THE BRICKLAYER”](https://www.specmix.com/masonry-pays/) by out-laying a senior mason in a 5-minute sprint event; a testament to the power of mentorship, experience, and dedication to the trade.

![Grant-Helms-3376.jpg](https://content.beldenbrick.com/uploads/Winners_3376_b24705104f.jpg)

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#### **A Record-Breaking Performance**
The 2026 event also delivered a historic moment as **Garret Shafer** established a new, high-volume bricklaying record, **laying an astonishing 4,354 perfect bricks in just eight hours.** This achievement highlighted the remarkable endurance and skill that characterize today’s leading masonry professionals.

![Garret-Shafer-Brick-the-World.jpg](https://content.beldenbrick.com/uploads/Garret_Shafer_Brick_the_World_1077ac499b.jpg) 

#### **Showcasing Innovation in Color**
In addition to celebrating competition and craftsmanship, Belden Brick was excited to showcase our new [**glazed**](https://www.beldenbrick.com/brick/glazed) and [**metallic brick colors**](https://www.beldenbrick.com/brick/brick-colors/color/texture/mm/size/series/glazed?search=metallic) at this year’s event. These bold, high-performance finishes attract significant interest, highlighting how innovation and aesthetics continue to evolve alongside traditional masonry techniques.

![Team-Stamper-Glaze-Wall.jpg](https://content.beldenbrick.com/uploads/Team_Stamper_Glaze_Wall_12e71baddd.jpg) 

#### **Investing in the Future of the Masonry Workforce**
For Belden Brick, the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® is more than a competition; it’s an investment in people. By supporting events that elevate the masonry trade, recognize excellence, and inspire future generations, we remain committed to strengthening the industry we have proudly served since 1885.

We congratulate all competitors, champions, and record-setters from the **2026 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500®** and look forward to building the future of masonry together.

![JR-SMBL500-Masonry-Skill.jpg](https://content.beldenbrick.com/uploads/JR_SMBL_500_Masonry_Skill_baf6e5ff2b.jpg)

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Discover how The Belden Brick Company supported the 2026 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500, celebrated the World’s Best Bricklayer, and showcased new glazed and metallic brick colors.

2026 Spec Mix Bricklayer 500 | The Belden Brick Company

Belden Brick At The 2026 Spec Mix Bricklayer 500

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###### Bridge District, Washington, District of Columbia 

### Six Awards. One Standard of Excellence.
The Belden Brick Company is proud to announce it has earned six honors in the [2025 Brick in Architecture Awards](https://www.gobrick.com/inspiration/2025-competition-award-winners), one of the most respected programs celebrating excellence in clay brick design and construction. Recognized by the Brick Industry Association (BIA), these awards spotlight projects that demonstrate outstanding architectural design, craftsmanship, and innovative use of brick.

This year’s awards include one **Best in Class** honor, three **Gold,** and two **Silver** awards across multiple categories, ranging from paving and landscaping to education, historic renovation, and residential design. Together, these winning projects showcase the versatility, durability, and enduring beauty of [clay brick](https://www.beldenbrick.com/brick/face)—and the craftsmanship that defines Belden Brick products.

#### Best in Class Winner
##### **Paving and Landscaping**
**Bridge District Pavers** *— Washington, District of Columbia*\
Earning the program’s highest distinction in its category, the Bridge District hardscape project demonstrates how [clay brick pavers](https://www.beldenbrick.com/brick/pavers) can elevate urban spaces through thoughtful design, long-term performance, and visual continuity. The project stands as a benchmark for contemporary streetscape design in the nation’s capital.
- **Landscape Architect:** Lemon Brooke
- **Mason Contractor:** AMA Construction Co., Inc. 
- **Brick Distributor:** Potomac Valley Brick & Supply Company

#### Gold Award Winners
![Secondary-Imagery-template300-GoldAwd.jpg](https://content.beldenbrick.com/uploads/Secondary_Imagery_template300_Gold_Awd_82169250b0.jpg)

##### **Education – K–12**
**Lewis C. Cassidy Academics Plus School** *— Philadelphia, Pennsylvania*\
Designed to support learning while reflecting the surrounding community, this award-winning K–12 facility uses brick to create a durable, welcoming environment for students and educators alike.
- **Architect:** Ewing Cole
- **Mason Contractor:** EDA Construction
- **Brick Distributor:** Belden Tri-State Building Materials

##### **Paving and Landscaping**
[**Mull Avenue Streetscape**](https://www.beldenbrick.com/resources/videos/mull-ave-streetscape-improvements) *— Akron, Ohio*\
The Mull Avenue Streetscape project illustrates how brick paving enhances walkability, strengthens community identity, and delivers long-term value for public infrastructure.
- **Landscape Architect:** Akron Engineering Bureau
- **Mason Contractor:** Vizmeg Landscaping
- **Brick Distributor:** W.L. Tucker Supply Co.

##### **Historic Renovation**
**Arlo Washington DC** *— Washington, District of Columbia*\
This Gold-winning historic renovation highlights brick’s unique ability to bridge past and present. Careful material selection and expert craftsmanship helped preserve the building’s character while supporting modern performance requirements.
- **Architect:** Architecture, Incorporated
- **Mason Contractors:** Restoration Brick – Atlantic Restoration & Waterproofing, Inc. | New Brick – Manganaro Building Group
- **Brick Distributor:** Potomac Valley Brick & Supply Company

#### Silver Award Winners
![Secondary-Imagery-template300-Silver.jpg](https://content.beldenbrick.com/uploads/Secondary_Imagery_template300_Silver_41ab1e18cd.jpg)

##### **Education – K–12**
**Lorraine Whitlock Elementary School** *— Washington, District of Columbia*\
This Silver Award–winning school design uses brick to balance durability, safety, and warmth—creating an environment that supports both learning and community pride.
- **Architect:** StudioMB
- **Brick Distributor:** Potomac Valley Brick & Supply Company

##### **Residential – Single Family**
**Island House** *— Saint-Laurent-de-l'Île-d'Orléans, Québec*\
Island House demonstrates the global appeal of Belden brick, showcasing how clay masonry complements contemporary residential architecture while grounding it in a sense of place.
- **Architect:** La Shed
- **Mason Contractor:** SEQUOIA Entrepreneur Général
- **Brick Distributor:** Ruel et Frère

### A Testament to Craftsmanship and Collaboration

With more than 140 years of manufacturing excellence, The Belden Brick Company continues to set the standard for quality, performance, and design flexibility in [clay brick](https://www.beldenbrick.com/brick/brick-colors) and [pavers.](http://beldenbrick.com/brick/brick-paver-colors) These 2025 Brick in Architecture Awards further reinforce Belden Brick’s role as a trusted partner for architects and builders across North America and beyond.

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The Belden Brick Company earns six 2025 Brick in Architecture Awards, including Best in Class, showcasing award-winning brick pavers and architectural brick.

2025 Brick In Architecture Awards | The Belden Brick Company

The Belden Brick Company Wins Six 2025 Brick In Architecture Awards

### The Belden Brick Company proudly announces its recognition at the prestigious [2025 Hardscape North America (HNA) Awards](https://www.hardscapena.com/news/ready-set-build-the-ultimate-hardscape-showdown-1-pzjyx) held on October 23 in Louisville, Kentucky. 
![2025-HNA-Awards.jpg](https://content.beldenbrick.com/uploads/2025_HNA_Awards_bef52fb3e7.jpg)

This year’s event celebrated outstanding achievements in the hardscaping industry, showcasing remarkable residential and commercial projects from across North America. With a remarkable 192 submissions, the HNA Awards highlighted the versatility and creativity of hardscape design, featuring an array of materials including clay bricks, concrete pavers, natural stones, and more. Belden Brick was celebrated for its contributions to the hardscape community, earning two prestigious awards and one honorable mention.

### The Belden Brick Company’s acclaimed projects include:
##### **Winner - Clay Brick Pavement – Residential: [Tudor Terrace Retreat](https://www.beldenbrick.com/resources/videos/tudor-terrace-retreat-pov-john-hippley)**
- Landscape Contractor: Hippley Landscape 
- Designer: Hippley Landscape and Bradley Belden 

##### **Winner - Clay Brick Pavement – Commercial: [Cedar Falls Downtown Streetscape and Reconstruction](https://www.beldenbrick.com/galleries/project-briefs/cedar-falls-streetscaping)**
- Hardscape Contractor: Matthias Landscaping Company 
- Civil Engineering and Design: Snyder & Associates 

##### **Honorable Mention - Clay Brick Pavement – Commercial: [Dodge City Downtown Streetscape](https://www.dodgecity.org/1020/Downtown-Streetscape)** 
- Hardscape Contractor: Heartstone, Inc. 
- Landscape Designer: LK Architecture 

Robert Thomas, President and CEO of the Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association (CMHA), commended the winners for their innovative designs and quality installations. “The HNA Awards shine a spotlight on the extraordinary talent and dedication within our industry,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of such recognition in elevating hardscaping artistry.

The awards ceremony, produced by CMHA and endorsed by the Brick Industry Association (BIA) and Natural Stone Institute (NSI), reflects the ongoing commitment to excellence in hardscaping.

The Belden Brick Company is proud to be part of a community that consistently raises the standards of design and quality in hardscaping. As we celebrate these accomplishments, we look forward to continuing our legacy of innovation, craftsmanship, and excellence in the industry.

View all the winning projects [here.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/icpi/54803892852/in/album-72177720329195392)

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Discover how The Belden Brick Company achieved recognition at the 2025 HNA Awards, winning two prestigious awards and an honorable mention for their innovative hardscape projects, including residential and commercial designs.

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Belden News

Belden Brick At The 2026 Spec Mix Bricklayer 500

The Belden Brick Company Wins Six 2025 Brick In Architecture Awards

The Belden Brick Company Celebrates Success at the 2025 HNA Awards

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