Summertime means an upswing in the crucial work that the Mason Shop does in maintaining Princeton’s campus. 

Carmine Fiocca, Supervisor of the Mason Shop, has been with the team for over 20 years and has seen it all. “Right now, our main focus is on getting the dorms ready for the students when they return in the fall,” he said. This involves a wide range of tasks – from repairing plaster walls or ceiling damage, to checking bathrooms for broken tiles to ensure that caulk is sealed around the shower bases. 

“This process prevents any leakage from occurring, and repairing damaged plaster in the dorms rooms as needed. 

Our goal is to use the summer to get as much prevention work done as possible, while there is no disruption to students,” Fiocca said.  

Given the expansiveness of Princeton’s campus, there is always a lot for Fiocca’s team of 9 to do. The Mason Shop coordinates with and assists other teams within Facilities, including the Paint and Plumbing Shops, to make their work possible. “We need to be available to open walls if the plumbing team needs to repair pipes, for example,” he shared.  

There is great attention-to-detail involved with masonry work, especially when it comes to repairing the stone that characterizes much of Princeton’s campus, namely the historic buildings. “We are very diligent. We take great pride in fixing any damage to the old buildings and restoring their original look,” Fiocca said. This means that if a stone is out of place at Nassau Hall, his team will diligently match the stone and type of mortar used in the original building to ensure that the repair is seamless.  

The team also shares their knowledge with students in the School of Architecture. “Twice a year, in the spring and fall, we do demonstrations for graduate students to showcase how the brick and stone is laid,” Fiocca shared. Alby Cianflone was chosen for this project because of his experience and skills in the trade. 

If there is anything Fiocca wishes the campus community knew more about, it is how committed the Mason Shop is to the preservation of Princeton’s campus. “I want people to know we’re very committed to keeping the campus safe and easy to navigate, as well as maintaining the character of the original materials in everything we do,” he said. “I’m proud of my team and what they do on a daily basis. They have a great work ethic and are highly skilled.”