Smart building in the Bay Area: Why concrete masonry makes sense for San Francisco

Business Journals

12-05-2025

In San Francisco, where the ground shifts, the climate changes and neighborhoods grow ever more connected, buildings aren't just structures — they're promises of resilience, in the face of an uncertain future. Every material choice contributes to that promise, especially in a region where performance and purpose must go hand in hand.
Throughout the Bay Area — from retrofitted schools in the Mission to life sciences labs in South San Francisco — designers and builders are choosing a familiar but future-ready material: concrete masonry units (CMU). Known for strength and longevity, CMU is proving itself again in a time that demands smarter, safer construction.
Safety for a seismic and fire-prone region
The Bay Area's natural risks — from earthquakes to wildfires — demand resilient construction. We've learned much about seismic performance over the years, and, when reinforced, CMU walls can meet and exceed California's most rigorous seismic requirements. That kind of built-in strength supports faster recovery and continuity after major events.
In wildfire-prone areas and wildland-urban interfaces, CMU offers critical fire resistance — up to four hours, depending on the assembly. With no flammable components and no need for applied fireproofing, it's a durable line of defense that's inherent with every block in the wall.
That kind of performance is exactly what many business owners and homeowners in the area have sought out when it comes to rebuilding from fires like those that tore through Napa Valley and Paradise. Additionally, we're seeing many communities move toward the use of non-combustible materials for fencing around homes and businesses — an ideal application for CMU.
Energy and sustainable: Smart from the start
In a region leading the way toward sustainability, CMU can provide distinct advantages on multiple fronts. Its high thermal mass helps regulate indoor temperatures, reducing HVAC loads and enhancing comfort in San Francisco's mild climate. That passive energy benefit supports compliance with Title 24 and helps meet ambitious decarbonization goals.
Concrete block provides a practical solution for sustainability-minded communities like California. Every block is produced with natural materials and is locally sourced, so transportation emissions are minimized right from the start. CMU also utilizes dry-cast concrete technology, which uses a minimal amount of cement, maintaining structural requirements but significantly reducing embodied carbon.
Beyond that, concrete block has the capacity to remove carbon from the atmosphere through a chemical process called carbonation or carbon sequestration. While this isn't anything new, the dry-cast concrete used to make CMU is naturally porous, which paired with the hollow-core structure of each block, increases the surface area exposed to the atmosphere. That allows it to absorb carbon dioxide at exceptional rates. Combined with its long lifespan and minimal maintenance needs, CMU offers a durable, low-carbon building solution that aligns with sustainability goals and delivers long-term value for forward-thinking builders and communities.
Designed to perform
San Francisco's architectural landscape is diverse and demanding. Concrete masonry's flexibility in form, texture and finish allows it to meet the aesthetic expectations of high-design urban projects, while performing in high-demand applications — from public schools and transit hubs to hospitals and housing.
Leading firms in the region are already taking advantage of CMU's versatility. Whether it's used as a structural backbone, a fire-rated partition or a feature wall that adds rhythm and depth, concrete masonry continues to show up in unexpected and impactful ways across the Bay.
A smart investment for the Bay Area's built future
Whether you're building for climate resilience, life-cycle carbon impact or seismic durability, concrete masonry stands out as a smart, proven investment. It's locally made, code-aligned and trusted across sectors, from historic retrofits to new construction in the region's innovation corridors.
For design professionals across Northern California, CMU offers more than strength — it's a material that supports the way San Francisco lives, works and grows.
Get free project support
Curious how concrete masonry can enhance your next Bay Area project? The Block Design Collective provides free project consultation to architects, engineers and developers. For support, contact Riley Dvorak at [e-mail] or visit beautyofblock.com.
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.
Riley Dvorak is the national director of the Concrete Masonry Checkoff's Block Design Collective. He leads a team of design experts focused on helping professionals design with durability, carbon-consciousness and architectural integrity.