Designed to Perform, Built to Last: Concrete Masonry Delivers for Louisville
In a city like Louisville—where tradition meets transformation—smart building decisions matter more than ever. Whether you’re designing a public school in the Highlands, developing a mixed-use space in NuLu, or engineering healthcare facilities for growth across the greater Louisville area, you need materials that work hard, perform well and hold their value over time.
Introducing the Block Learning Hub
You know better than anyone that beautiful buildings aren’t just about the design — they’re about performance, durability, and how they stand the test of time. That’s where we come in. At Beauty of Block, we’re here to support the design community with resources that are applicable in everyday designs.
AIA Announces New Partnership with Concrete Masonry Checkoff
AIA and the Concrete Masonry Checkoff are committed to driving a more sustainable and resilient built environment.
How Concrete Masonry Balances Durability and Sustainability
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.
In the Aftermath of Disaster, a Watershed Moment
The economic, emotional, and environmental toll tied to this latest string of events has been staggering. Successful evacuation efforts saved countless lives, an obvious win, but many livelihoods were lost along the way. The loss of homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure serves as a stark reminder that we must rebuild with purpose. Breaking this costly cycle of rebuilding each time disaster strikes should compel us to embrace materials and designs that can stand their ground.
Building on Philadelphia’s Tradition with Cavity Wall Construction
Philadelphia’s architectural heritage is deeply rooted in masonry construction, showcasing a rich tapestry of brick and stone. The city has relied on masonry for centuries because of its durability and timeless appeal. But that’s not to say Philly is stuck in the past — far from it. Amid Philadelphia’s current development boom, modern building techniques pair tradition with innovation.
Block Design Collective Seeking Partners for CMU Design Assistance Network
The Concrete Masonry Checkoff (CMC) has issued a request for proposal (RFP) seeking qualified design professionals and firms for its Block Design Collective (BDC), a destination where architects and engineers can access free CMU project support and design assistance. The submission deadline for the RFP is Monday, June 30, 2025.
Building for Resilience: 5 Practical Steps for Hardening Your Home
Building a home? Here are five key considerations when building a home in wildfire-prone areas to improve fire resistance.
Mid-Atlantic Real Estate Journal – September 2024
Photo courtesy of Jandris Block. As climate extremes and environmental accountability coalesce, the need for more resilient structures has never been more apparent. More and more commercial real estate developers find themselves under the gun to rebuild at a feverish pace after disaster strikes. The critical question remains: when will we start constructing buildings that […]
Concrete Masonry Checkoff is Reimagining What’s Possible with Concrete Masonry Units
CMC shares in the Code Council’s vision to drive meaningful change through safe, affordable and sustainable structures, and concrete masonry units can play a key role. While concrete masonry units (CMU) are often praised for their strength, many of its economic and environmental benefits remain underutilized or overlooked altogether. Last October, I spoke at the […]
