Jandris Block

10/19/2026

Interested in the embodied carbon differences of ready-mix concrete vs concrete masonry and how design choices affect the carbon intensity of CMU assemblies through LCA studies?

Join The Beauty of Block Design Collective and Heidi Jandris on Thursday October 22 at 11:45am at the 2026 Greenbuild International Conference & Expo in NYC to learn more about why CMU warrants distinct treatment in carbon accounting and as well as many inherent co-benefits: resilience, thermal mass, circularity, and local manufacturing.

Like this post if we'll see you at the 2026 Greenbuild International Conference & Expo and look for the Concrete Masonry Checkoff at booth 1612.

Event details and registration -

The official website of Greenbuild International Conference and Expo – the largest annual event for green building professionals. Registration is Now Open, Discounts for USGBC members.

10/15/2026

Danielle Mokris, Southeast Region Technical Director of the Block Design Collective, has two resources she recommends architects and engineers keep in their toolbox. 👏​

Both of these resources are ready to help when a nonloadbearing concrete masonry partition wall shows up in your plans.​​

The Partition Wall Guide gives you insightful design and detailing guidance to reference throughout your project. When it’s time to work through the calculations, the Partition Wall Calculator is ready to help there, too.​

Be sure to check out both resources and put them to work on your next project: ​

Calculator 👉 https://bit.ly/4ykc1n5

Partition Wall Guide 👉 https://bit.ly/4s6Kjc3

10/07/2026

The Meeting Street School in Providence, RI stands as a striking example of what concrete masonry makes possible.

Ground face CMU in rich, natural tones anchors the building with durability and timeless appeal, while the vibrant cladding above brings energy and color to the campus. With its distinctive stack‑bond pattern, this project demonstrates how smart masonry design can transform a structure into a standout community landmark.

Another great example of The Beauty of Block.

Design by Saccoccio & Associates Architects with masonry installation by Commercial Masonry and CMU by Jandris Block

09/29/2026

Did you know that not all blocks are rectangular?

Designing with interesting concrete masonry shapes can elevate even the smallest of projects. Check out the Softball Dugouts at the UMass Boston Clark Athletic Center to see how pyramid CMU create both texture and shadows.

How will CMU bring your next project to life? The possibilities are endless. That's The Beauty of Block

Design by West Work
Installation by GVW
CMU by Jandris Block

09/23/2026

Arrowstreet architects heard from Heidi Jandris about new research comparing the embodied carbon of concrete masonry vs poured-in-place concrete and wood/steel frame structures yesterday.

The big reveal? The GWP of CMU is more in line with frame construction that ready-mix, PLUS all the added benefits of having tremendous thermal mass, being durable and low maintenance, and serving as a beautiful yet cost-effective design option.

That's The Beauty of Block!

09/18/2026

Lowering the carbon footprint of concrete, one block at a time.

CarbonX™ technology from the Concrete Products Group is helping advance more sustainable concrete masonry construction.

By improving cement efficiency and increasing carbon sequestration during production, CarbonX™ can lower the embodied carbon of concrete masonry units by up to 50%. The technology maintains the strength, durability, and performance expected from concrete masonry while providing architects and designers with another option for reducing the environmental impact of their projects.

CarbonX™ units are available in smooth, split-face, and ground-face finishes, offering design flexibility alongside lower-carbon performance.

Learn more about CarbonX™: concreteproductsgroup.com/products/carbonx

Project: Life Time Apartments – Burlington, MA
CPG Member: Jandris Block

09/18/2026

Growing up in the Coachella Valley, Lance O'Donnell, FAIA, was surrounded by concrete masonry. From civic buildings to commercial spaces, it was a defining part of the region's built environment.​

That early exposure helped shape the way the o2 Architecture principal thinks about design today. For O'Donnell, CMU represents more than durability and performance. It reflects a connection to climate, culture and the architectural character of the desert.​

In this Architectural Record article, O'Donnell shares how concrete masonry has influenced both his personal homes and professional work, informing an approach to architecture rooted in longevity and a strong sense of place.​

Read the full article: https://bit.ly/46j3hSC

Photo courtesy of Ricky Lesser.

09/09/2026

What if building with blocks could be more exciting?

New shapes can change how you imagine a wall. Maybe you'll mix the wedge and shingle to create dynamic shadows, or perhaps you'll combine convex and concave to mimic a basket weave, or even represent water undulating with serpentine shapes. ABRI Sculpted Concrete Masonry Veneers by The Concrete Products Group does it all and more.

The best part? The back of all five ABRI shapes is modular so detailing is typical to standard CMU. That's The Beauty of Block.

Let your imagination run!

Thanks to Johnson Roberts Associates for hosting our ABRI demo this month!!

09/04/2026

Registration is open through October 9, 2026 for the virtual 2026 Masonry MasterClass!

This is a unique, advanced-level design course for experienced architects and structural engineers who want to deepen their Concrete Masonry expertise and improve the quality and efficiency of their projects.

This class, provided at NO COST by the CMU Checkoff, will discuss provisions within the IBC that can reduce masonry labor costs, improve structural performance, and communicate masonry advances and best practices to design professionals. Through this series, you’ll gain insights that make your job easier — and lead to better masonry structures at a lower cost. Now THAT'S The Beauty of Block!

Each class will be hosted by one or more Mason Contractors Association of America - Upstate NY Chapter members, who will share real-world perspectives from the field.

REGISTER NOW:
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SCHEDULE
Nov 2 | 5pm - 7pm ET | Design Issues
Nov 9 | 5pm - 7pm ET | Detailing Concerns
Nov 16 | 5pm - 7pm ET | Building Joints
Dec 7 | 5pm - 7pm ET | Specifications and Notes
Dec 14 | 5pm - 7pm ET | Field Issues

08/27/2026

Congrats to University of Massachusetts Amherst Architecture student Paul Dominic Drilon for placing second in the ACSA 2026 Concrete Masonry Student Competition!

Paul created a Welcome Center design with a focus on CMU for his “River Futures Museum,” an interactive educational and recreational center that explores the processes of water filtration while creating a new public destination along the riverfront in downtown Orange, Massachusetts.

This annual design competition is funded in part by the Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association and Jandris Block is one of many CMU producers working with students to explore the unlimited design potential of using concrete masonry. Great job to all the students who participated - We're already excited for next year!!

Read more about Paul's design here -

Paul Dominic (Poldo) Drilon, an undergraduate student in the Department of Architecture in the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, has been awarded second place in the 2026 Concrete Masonry Student Competition for “River Futures Museum,” an interactive educational and recreational center that e...