STRONGSVILLE, OH -- International Masonry Institute (IMI) director of industry development and technical services, Scott Conwell, FAIA, FCSI, CDT, LEED AP, is the 2021 recipient of the Tile Contractors’ Association of America’s (TCAA’s) prestigious Cesery Award.

The award, a five-inch bronze medallion created by legendary American sculptor Gilroy Roberts, and regarded as the highest honor bestowed upon leaders in the ceramic tile and stone industry, celebrates distinguished service to the field.

It was presented to Conwell by TCAA’s president during the Awards Luncheon at Total Solutions Plus (TSP) on October 26, 2021. “Scott’s expertise in architectural detailing of ceramic tile and masonry is legendary,” said TCAA president, John Trendell. “There isn’t an architect in the country who hasn’t benefited from his expertise in the practical aspects of how to design with tile.”

Scott has represented the tile and masonry industry for 25+ years through his work for the IMI as director of industry development. His work includes delivering meaningful education on design theory and constructability, with an emphasis on ceramic tile and stone. He has delivered over 1,000 seminars in the U.S., with presentations internationally in Italy and Spain. He frequently contributes articles to technical journals. He is a regular presenter at AIA and CSI design and construction industry conferences; he has also presented at Coverings, Surfaces and TSP. He is a well-known ceramic tile expert, having lectured at architectural and construction management schools.

Scott is nationally known for his contributions to the development of ceramic tile standards and best practices. He is an active member of the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) Handbook Committee, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers’ Tile/Marble/Terrazzo Craft Committee. As a member of ANSI, he participated in the development of A108.19 and A108.20, the first in the world installation standards for gauged porcelain tile; he is currently leading a subcommittee in the development of a new standard, A108.T, Standard Terminology for Ceramic Tile Assemblies.

In fact, it was through Conwell’s efforts that Qualified Contractor Language, Qualified Installer Language and the Advanced Certifications for Tile Installers (ACT) was inserted in the MasterSpec ceramic tile specifications, which is developed and distributed nationally for the American Institute of Architects.

His expertise in architectural detailing of ceramic tile and masonry is legendary. There isn’t an architect in the country who has not benefited from his expertise in the practical aspects of how to design with ceramic tile. His most recent work was the production of the details and graphics for the newly published tile curriculum used at IMI/International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (IUBAC) training centers nationwide.

Conwell is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and the Construction Specifications Institute, both of which recognize this designation as the highest honor that can be bestowed on a member