News from around the block

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.

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 and the Concrete Masonry Checkoff are committed to driving a more sustainable and resilient built environment.

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.

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.

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.