How To Submit Your Project

The Texas Masonry Council (TMC) sponsors the Golden Trowel Competition annually in conjunction with the State Convention. Members of the TMC understand that quality masonry projects in Texas are the result of strong creative vision and skilled execution. The purpose of the Award is to give recognition to the outstanding design of Architects and the brilliant craftsmanship of the Mason Contractors in Texas.

Eligibility:

1. Any project completed 3 years prior to the local competition is eligible to be entered. The major element of the project must be a masonry product. Brick, block, stone and any other masonry product must be the dominant building material.
2. In order to participate, a TMC masonry contractor must have completed the work on the project.
3. Projects may only be entered twice over a two-year period.
4. A project can only be submitted into one category and in one regional chapter.
5. Only projects within the State of Texas may be eligible.

Categories:

1. Residential (Single/Multi-Family)
2. Governmental/Institutional
3. Industrial/Commercial
4. Education Facility (College/University)
5. Educational Facility (Public funded K-12)
6. Hardscape/Landscape

Submission Procedures:

1. Entries must first be submitted into one of the following associations regional competition:
1. Houston-Associated Masonry Contractors of Houston
2. Dallas/Ft. Worth-United Masonry Contractors Association
3. Austin/Central Texas-Central Texas Masonry Contractors Association
4. San Antonio/South Texas-San Antonio Masonry Contractors Association
2. Architects may not submit their projects directly. A TMC member must submit the project on behalf of the architect to the contractor’s respective local chapter for the first level of competition.
3. Winners from each category at the regional level will proceed to the TMC state level competition.
4. The submission requirements will include:
1. Eight hi-res images of the project. These images should capture the visible masonry on the interior and/or exterior.
2. Images must be a minimum of 300 dpi at final printing size of 4x4 inches.
3. Camera Type: A 3 or higher megapixel camera is strongly suggested for image capture
4. File Format: Image must be taken and submitted as a TIF or EPS file. JPG’s and GIF’s are not acceptable because they are compressed files that limit final quality.
5. File Resolution: A minimum of 1200 pixels x 1200 pixels is required at the time of image capture to meet the desired print parameters. This will equate to a file size of approximately 5.5 MB or larger.
6. File Submission: Files must be submitted in the proper file format on CD.
7. Higher quality photography will enable the judges to more accurately evaluate the project. If a professional photographer is used, these photos must be accompanied by a signed release, which gives permission to duplicate all copyrighted photos for publicity.
8. Submittal forms and a sample judging sheet may be obtained from your local chapter Golden Trowel coordinator or from the TMC Staff Offices.

Registration Process:

1. All entries to the state level Golden Trowel competition must be submitted each chapter six weeks prior to the Convention’s Awards Banquet.
   
   Schedule:
   Submittal Package Due....................... June 1, 2006
   Judging............................................... June 9, 2006
   Presentation of Awards...................... July 29, 2006
   

Judging:

1. The jury panel consists of three architects and two masonry contractors who are not competing in the competition. The Contractors are chosen on a rotation basis, alternating the two cities from which they are selected.
2. Project identity will be kept confidential during the judging process and will be evaluated on a scale of 1 to 10 in four areas:
1. Design
2. Craftsmanship
3. Percentage of visible masonry and overall aesthetic appeal
4. Masonry difficulty
3. From the 24 regional winners, a state winner and state honorable mention award will be presented for each of the six categories.

Awards:

1. All architects whose projects are entered into the state level competition will be invited to attend the TMC Annual Convention where they will have the opportunity to present their projects to fellow architects and the TMC membership. Compensation for a portion of travel and hotel will be offered to Architects attending the Convention.
2. In addition, architects will also have the opportunity to attend the Banquet and Golden Trowel Awards Ceremony where each project will be presented and the winners announced.
3. Awards will also be presented to the Masonry Contractor who are members of TMC and who completed work on the winning project.

For more information, please call TMC at (888) 374-9922.