MISL Offers Professional Seminar on Evaluating Existing Structures
Date Posted: May 5, 2026
Posted In: Ideas,
As redevelopment, adaptive reuse, and renovation continue to reshape the St. Louis region’s built environment, the question is increasingly not what we build — but what we already have, and what we can responsibly do with it.
The Masonry Institute of St. Louis (MISL) is taking that question head-on with an upcoming continuing education seminar, Evaluating Existing Masonry Structures, scheduled for Wednesday, May 13.
Understanding What Is in Place
The program is designed for engineers and design professionals working in real-world conditions — where existing masonry buildings must be assessed for structural capacity, code compliance, and long-term viability. Whether the project involves renovation, adaptive reuse, or a change in occupancy, understanding what is already in place is the starting point.
The session will follow the framework being developed in the draft The Masonry Society TMS 405 — Code Requirements for Existing Masonry Structures. That work reflects a broader industry shift toward more standardized approaches to evaluating aging building stock, particularly as sustainability and preservation goals gain traction.
Practical Guidance
Participants can expect practical guidance on material property assumptions, in-place testing options, and condition assessments, along with an overview of applicable provisions from current codes and standards. The focus is not academic — it is on decision-making: balancing safety, cost, compliance, and preservation in active projects.
The seminar will be led by Heather Sustersic, PE of Colby Co Engineering, bringing field-based perspective to a topic that is often more complex in practice than in theory.
The program is sponsored by Leonard Masonry and will be held in person at The Masonry Centre. The event is free to attend, with lunch provided, and offers 1.0 MISL Professional Development Hour, 1.0 AIA LU | HSW, and 0.1 ICC Continuing Education Credit.
Details:
- Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
- Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
- Location: The Masonry Centre
- Format: In-person
- Cost: Free (lunch included)
Registration is free, but is required. Register online here.