Jandris Block

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...

08/25/2026

Today, architects work in a culture that often rewards novelty. We are immersed in an endless stream of images: new materials, new assemblies, new aesthetics. There is always something new around the corner. Yet working in the desert has taught me that architecture rooted in climate, in the long arc of culture and in continuity will always outlast trends. For me, concrete masonry units (CMU) have become one of the most honest, resilient, and regionally appropriate materials through which to express that belief.

Today, architects work in a culture that often rewards novelty. We are immersed in an endless stream of images: new materials, new assemblies, new aesthetics. There is always something new around the corner. Yet working in the desert has taught me that architecture rooted in climate, in the long arc...

08/14/2026

How does a project balance historical character with contemporary fire station design?

The Dennis Fire Station project combines concrete masonry and brick veneer with Cape Cod–style shingles and a gabled roof. Material selection was especially important in the apparatus bay, a harsh environment where heavy equipment is cleaned and stored and where salt and moisture are common, particularly during New England winters.

Ground face CMU was selected as the optimal solution for this environment due to its durability and ease of maintenance. CMU is widely regarded as the preferred material for apparatus bay construction, offering longterm performance in demanding conditions. In addition, many projects operate under compressed schedules, and CMU can be assembled quickly. Ground face CMU serves as a finished product that does not require additional treatment during installation, contributing to construction efficiency while delivering a resilient and practical facility for the town. That's The Beauty of Block.

Designed by The Galante Architecture Studio, Inc.
Masonry installation by Commercial Masonry
CMU by Jandris Block

08/13/2026

No matter how large the area, I always run out of space before I run out of ideas on how to mix and match ABRI sculpted concrete masonry veneer shapes. "Play at work" at it's best - Now that's the The Beauty of Block!

Take a tour through my mini wall demos. ABRI CMU come in 5 different shapes - How will you create something amazing with them on your next project?

Special thanks to BDR for helping me set up this fun display Ellenzweig Architects, and to Concrete Products Group for creating innovative CMU shapes!!

08/10/2026

08/06/2026

We've been excited lately to share Jandris Block's new line of sculpted concrete masonry veneers called ABRI with designers. ABRI is a collection of 5 different angular and curved shapes for CMU cladding that allow designers to create their own unique and distinctive wall surface appearances. From subtle to dramatic - That's The Beauty of Block

I can't want to see what my friends at PCA will design!

ABRI CMU is offered in collaboration with The Concrete Products GroupProducts Group. For more info on ABRI - https://concreteproductsgroup.com/products/abri

07/28/2026

Fire and life safety requirements influence countless decisions throughout the design process. 🔥​

Our next webinar goes LIVE on August 5 at 1 p.m. CT with Irene Li, West Region Technical Director with the Block Design Collective! We will explore how concrete masonry assemblies perform during fire events and how designers can approach fire resistance as part of a broader strategy for resilient buildings.​

We'll also cover passive fire protection strategies, fire-rated wall assemblies, building code considerations and the factors that influence one-to-four-hour fire resistance ratings, including aggregate selection, grouting and finishes.​

And to top it all off, we will also walk through a real-world project example to see how these concepts come together in practice.​

If you’re interested in learning more about CMU and how it correlates with fire safety, resilience or code compliance, we hope you'll join us!​

🔗 Register now: https://bit.ly/4v8oB8a