By Chuck Rotondo – Technical Director of the Northeast Region, Concrete Masonry Checkoff’s Block Design Collective

In the building industry, we often talk about sustainability as though it’s a single concept — one that can be solved with incremental efficiency improvements or material substitutions. But true sustainability goes beyond checking a box for energy efficiency or low-carbon materials. It’s about resilience. It’s about designing and building structures that will stand the test of time economically, environmentally and socially.

Since 2006, I’ve been working with architects, engineers, general contractors, and masons to help them properly specify and install concrete masonry units (CMU), a material that embodies this philosophy. I come from a family of builders — bricklayers and stone masons — so I’ve seen firsthand how sustainability and resilience must go hand in hand. It’s impossible to have one without the other.

Resilience is more than a buzzword

Building codes exist to set a minimum safety standard, not to ensure buildings are designed for long-term resilience. That’s where architects, engineers, developers, and owners must step in and take responsibility. If we truly care about sustainability, we need to design and build structures that will be here beyond 30, 40, even 50 years — even if that means building beyond code minimums.

The reality is that climate change is already reshaping our built environment. With rising temperatures, more frequent and severe storms, and growing resource constraints, structures need to do more than simply meet today’s requirements. They need to anticipate future challenges.

Investing in resilient materials and construction methods is one of the smartest financial decisions a developer or building owner can make. According to the National Institute of Building Sciences, every dollar spent on disaster resilience saves $6 in long-term costs. Time and again, concrete masonry structures have shown their ability to withstand extreme weather events, providing durability and cost savings over time.

Lowering embodied carbon through longevity, local origin

Sustainability discussions often hyperfocus on operational energy, and while that’s important, we need to pay equal attention to embodied carbon, which are the emissions associated with producing, transporting, maintaining and final treatment of building materials. When we prioritize longevity, we reduce the need for demolition and reconstruction, lowering a building’s lifetime carbon footprint.

Concrete masonry is a great example of a material that balances durability with sustainability. The block industry has worked hard to lower the embodied carbon of its products through optimized mix designs and carbon sequestration technology. By using local materials and manufacturing strategies that reduce transportation and waste, we help developers achieve sustainability goals without sacrificing performance.

Mass matters

The ability of a building to regulate temperature naturally without excessive mechanical intervention should be a major consideration in sustainable design. Concrete masonry’s thermal mass properties can make buildings more energy-efficient by stabilizing indoor temperatures. This is particularly crucial in the wake of extreme weather events, where access to power may be limited. A high-mass building can retain heat in the winter and keep interiors cool in the summer, reducing reliance on HVAC systems and lowering operational energy demands.

Covers all your bases

For developers and building owners seeking a durable, low-maintenance and truly sustainable solution, concrete masonry offers unmatched resilience in any climate. Whether you’re contending with fire, moisture, high winds or unwanted pests, CMU structures provide long-term performance with minimal upkeep.

• Fire: Concrete masonry is inherently fire resistant, offering a layer of protection without reliance on additional fireproofing treatments.
• Flood: Concrete block retains its structural integrity after water exposure, meaning less need for costly repairs after a flood event.
• Earthquake: Reinforced masonry walls provide exceptional structural integrity in high-seismic zones.
• Pests: CMU is pest resistant. That’s a long-term advantage for durability and maintenance.
• Impact: The strength and durability of CMU structures help safeguard buildings from high winds, flying debris and other unforeseen threats. That’s why schools, emergency shelters and critical infrastructure are often made of block.

A smarter path forward

We must shift from short-term fixes to long-term resilience. The built environment is at a crossroads — every project is an opportunity to either reinforce the status quo or invest in a future that can withstand the challenges ahead. Developers, owners and designers have the power to shape communities that endure, minimizing environmental impact while protecting lives, assets and economies. True sustainability isn’t just about reducing energy use today — it’s about designing buildings that will stand strong for generations to come.

Get free design assistance

Interested in seeing how your next project can benefit from concrete masonry? The Block Design Collective offers free design assistance to architects, engineers and developers. For more information, visit beautyofblock.com/project-support/.

The Concrete Masonry Checkoff is an industry-funded program driving innovation, education and market growth for concrete masonry. It powers the Beauty of Block campaign, promoting the aesthetic, structural and sustainable advantages of masonry to architects and developers, reinforcing its value in resilient, high-performance and design-forward construction.

Chuck Rotondo is the technical director of the Northeast Region for the Concrete Masonry Checkoff’s Block Design Collective. In his role, he leads a team of design experts dedicated to supporting architects and engineers with tailored solutions.

ABOUT THE CONCRETE MASONRY CHECKOFF

The Concrete Masonry Checkoff (CMC) is an industry funded initiative to support education, research and promotion of manufactured concrete masonry units in the United States. The Concrete Checkoff Program is the first-ever Checkoff Program at the Department of Commerce.

For more information, visit https://www.concretemasonrycheckoff.org/