Macdonald was the keynote speaker at the 4th India Ferrocement Society Conference in Kerala India 2017. He also received the Society's Award for Innovation in Ferrocement.

His talk outlined the importance of the use of Ferrocement as an alternate to solid reinforced masonry and concrete, the standard construction type in most of the world. The environmental and life safety advantages of Ferrocement have now become more important in light of climate change and global warming, and of increased storm, flood, and wildfire frequency and severity.