WELCOME SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER MARK J. CASPAR, PE.
September 2, 2021
Please give a warm welcome to our newest addition, Senior Project Manager, Mark J. Caspar, P.E. Originally from Elizabethtown, Kentucky, he attended the University of Louisville and received his B.S. in Civil Engineering.
After graduating in 2002, he served in the United States Air Force as a Deputy Bioenvironmental Engineering (BEE) Flight Commander, where he met his wife of 17 years. Furthering his engineering career, he attended Auburn University where he earned his Master’s in Civil Engineering.
With 19 years of experience in the engineering industry, he has extensive experience in program and project management, city infrastructure, fleet management, site development, and industrial environmental compliance. He has strong local and federal government experience with a background in Project Management ranging from Civil/Site to multi-discipline construction projects.
As a detail-oriented team leader, he will build, lead, and manage cross-functional teams at various scopes and budgets as well as enhance and grow Bloc Design's reach in public work.
In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. You can find him serving at his local church, being outdoors, or cheering on his favorite sports teams.
Please congratulate him by visiting his LinkedIn or email at mcaspar@bloc-nc.com.
DUAL TOWNHOME PROJECT CONTINUES CONSTRUCTION
August 19, 2021
Construction is coming along for the townhome development located within walking distance of the Harold B. McEachern Greenway Trailhead. The project scope consists of two sites that back up to one another along the trailhead. Wilkinson Court is a 12-unit townhome development and Woodsdale consists of 22 townhome units. Bloc Design provided civil engineering and landscape architecture services for this project. Stay tuned for more progress.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE FIELD TRIP FOR URBAN PLAZA SITE WALK
July 27, 2021
This month, part of the team participated in an urban plaza site walk. The design staff was able to analyze existing conditions and learn from the surrounding environment. To bring on a fun challenge, a landscape architecture scavenger hunt was thrown in the mix. Whether we're in the office or out, it's always a great learning experience.
BLOC DESIGN WELCOMES A BUNDLE OF JOY
July 7, 2021
Around Father's Day, we had the opportunity to welcome this sweet bundle of joy to the Bloc Design family. Welcome to the world, Maggie Coleman.
Congratulations to our Project Manager, Austin, and his family!
MOST RECENT ADDITION AND SUMMER INTERN, ANNA EDWARDS
July 1, 2021
Bloc Design is excited to announce our most recent addition and summer intern, Anna. As an NC State grad student, she plans to earn her Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture in May of next year. Her work experience in garden centers sparked her passion for horticulture. She is hardworking, detail oriented, and driven to gain hands-on experience with our collaborative team. Her goal with this internship is to gain real world knowledge and make connections in the industry.
The areas of study she focuses in is stormwater management, conservation efforts, courtyards for education facilities, and planting plans.
Anna enjoys an active lifestyle and thus far, has ran 3 half marathons. In her spare time, you will find her reading fictions and murder mysteries.
Please congratulate her by visiting her LinkedIn or email at aedwards@bloc-nc.com.
SWAN CREEK CAMPGROUND AND VINEYARDS MASTER PLAN IN PERMITTING
June 6, 2021
Located at the intersection of Cedar Forest Road and Pinnix Road in Rhonda, NC, this proposed 65-acre vineyard, campground and residential retreat is designed to amenitize the existing natural features of the property and enhance existing mountain views. Bloc Design provided master planning services for this project.
Numerous diagrammatic master plan options were created by the design team, illustrating various options for the vineyard and campground. The master plan consists of a residential retreat, working farm, vineyards, an equestrian center with trails, recreation spaces, a tasting room, and a maintenance facility. The design scope also covers a pond, retail and restaurants, a campground, mountain vistas, beautiful hiking trails, and internal circulation roads. Designed for a rural naturalistic getaway, the site will implement a unique oasis to the area, giving the community a sense of serenity and complementing existing vineyards in the surrounding area.
IREDELL HEALTH CAMPUS COMPLETES PHASE 1 CONSTRUCTION
June 3, 2021
Construction is now complete for Iredell Health's new medical facility in Mooresville, NC. Our firm provided landscape architecture services for the new world-class facility, which includes a beautiful entry plaza. We enjoyed collaborating with the project team while helping the client's visions come to life.
TEAM BUILDING EVENT AT ESCAPE TACTIC
April 23, 2021
This week, our team enjoyed an interactive afternoon at Escape Tactic. We split up into two teams and were within seconds of beating each others escape time. It was a fun challenge, but we learned from one another and enjoyed the adrenaline.
CARMEL COUNTRY CLUB HAS GRAND OPENING
April 20, 2021
Bloc Design's Managing Partner Collin Brock and Assistant Project Manager Austin Coleman attended Carmel Country Club's Grand Opening event this week. The facility welcomed it's members with the reveal of the new and improved 22,000 square foot expansion. This site features a beautiful outdoor plaza that overlooks the golf course with multiple seating areas, an event lawn, firepits, and luscious landscaping. Bloc Design provided civil engineering and landscape architecture services for the project.
CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES AT THE COURTYARDS ON POPLAR TENT
April 4, 2021
Nestled against a large floodplain area and stream, this 70 acre site features 87 age targeted single family homes. Bloc Design provided master planning, rezoning, SITEOPS, civil engineering, and landscape architecture services for the project.
JOIN US IN WELCOMING NEW SENIOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
February 8, 2021
Stephanie Holland is a Senior Landscape Architect with eleven years of diverse professional experience, and is skilled in leading projects from inception through installation. Her project portfolio consists of a wide variety of projects including public parks, private residences, single family and multi-family residential, and mixed-use commercial. Her current role includes all aspects of collaborative design development, site design and programming, plan production, client coordination, and consultant management.
To congratulate her, please visit her LinkedIn or email her at sholland@bloc-nc.com.
CUNNINGHAM OFFICE NOW COMPLETE
January 25, 2021
Construction is now complete for the new Cunningham Recreation headquarters office. Located in the LoSo area of Charlotte, the project scope included the removal of an existing office building and replacement with a 5,000 square foot office building featuring decorative paver areas along the front entrances. Landscape architecture and civil engineering services were provided by Bloc Design for this project. Rendering courtesy of Ossa Studio.
THE TERRACES AT AUSTIN VILLAGE
January 14, 2020
Construction continues for the 98,000 square foot Senior Living facility and 7 Independent Living duplex cottages on a 9 acre site located in Stallings, NC. The site consisted of challenging topography and stormwater management, as well as required road improvements. Construction is expected to be completed towards the end of the year. Bloc Design provided master planning, landscape architecture and civil engineering services for this project.
BLOC DESIGN'S LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT TRAINS FOR OLYMPICS
January 5, 2021
This is what life looks like when Dan is not in the office. It is just a small behind the scenes for him outside of the design world. In his current training season while at Park City, Utah, he has accomplished 2 Silvers in 2 Races. He will have a couple more races in Lake Placid, New York, then he's off for the Olympic Trials. Way to go, Dan (but don't forget about that deadline on Friday... no pressure)!
TUCKASEEGEE DREAM FIELDS CONTINUES WITH CONSTRUCTION
August 27, 2021
The Tuckaseegee Dream Fields and Education Center, formerly named Optimist Park consists of three new turf and grass fields. The facility will provide an environment to reach young kids in the community for various programs, coaching camps, and events. The fields will also be used for Queens College home baseball and softball games.
With site programming becoming a challenge due to limiting size, topography, and tree save requirements, Bloc Design creatively used the fields underdrain system to accommodate stormwater. In result, this helped reduce the size of the surface detention and water quality systems, saving the clients considerable cost and valuable space. Construction is expected to be completed by Fall 2021.
TEAM BUILDING ARCHERY EVENT
August 10, 2021
The team enjoyed an interactive team building experience playing Archery. Needless to say, we all had a great time and in the process, rocked our new Bloc t-shirts. We are beyond thankful for an awesome team.
CORVIAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL ATHLETIC FIELD COMPLETE
July 20, 2021
The Athletic Field is now complete for Corvian Community School. The new complex incorporates field sports with track and field, along with football. The new press box with bleachers and a field house was also included in the project scope. Bloc Design provided master planning, civil engineering, and landscape architecture design services for the project. We are glad have this opportunity to help the client achieve their visions and goals.
MEET BLOC DESIGN'S NEWEST CIVIL ENGINEER, MICHAEL AMBROSIO
July 1, 2021
Michael Ambrosio, our newest civil engineer, joined the team in May. In 2020, he earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering from NC State and has quickly grasped onto the tips and tricks of the industry. His passion for engineering was sparked when he found an interest in math. Born and raised in Concord, his spare time consists of reading fiction books and novels, building computers, and gaming.
Please congratulate him by visiting his LinkedIn or email at mambrosio@bloc-nc.com.
CHECK OUT OUR NEW CAREERS PAGE... WE'RE HIRING.
June 23, 2021
Are you looking for a firm where you are highly valued and are a critical part of a team? Come be a part of a growing, dynamic civil engineering and landscape architecture firm in the Charlotte area. At Bloc Design, we are seeking individuals who are self-motivated and driven, eager to be a part of an exciting design firm and share our company values. Our firm is committed to providing an environment of collaboration, communication, and growth, and are searching for people with great attitudes, teachable, and are team players.
Check out our updated careers page for more information here.
ASCENSION LUTHERAN CHURCH UNDER CONSTRUCTION
June 1, 2021
Ascension Lutheran, a 2.5-acre site located on East Morehead Street, has added a new exposed timber building canopy including a parking lot expansion and new playground facilities to the existing Charlotte campus. Bloc Design provided civil engineering and landscape architecture services for the project, which included site design, engineering, permitting, construction administration, and coordination with Ossa Studio. Along with the new canopy, the project scope included associated hardscape design, courtyard design, foundation landscape renovation, and low voltage site lighting. Currently under construction, the new canopy design and the monumental rear entrance will create a social atmosphere for the congregation and community.
CROSSRIDGE TOPPING OUT CEREMONY
May 12, 2021
Crossridge, a 120,000-square-foot office building, consists of 30,000-square-foot floorplates with a large rear plaza overlooking a decorative stormwater pond and future development, which includes retail, multifamily and hospitality uses. The 4-story building is expected to be ready for occupancy in late 2021. For more information on what all the new facility will have to offer, click here.
CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS AT IREDELL HEALTH
April 22, 2021
Landscape architecture services were provided by Bloc Design for the new Iredell Health Center in Mooresville, NC. At the face of this world-class facility is a meticulously designed entry plaza that fosters a welcoming experience for patients, visitors, and staff. Within a rhythmic blend of hardscape and landscape are respite nodes carved out for relaxation under some dappled shade, transitioning the entry experience into the facility. Construction is expected to be completed by Summer of 2021.
TEMPLE ISRAEL CONSTRUCTION COMPLETE
April 8, 2021
Designed to create a comfortable and aesthetic communal gathering space, the new plaza at Temple Israel incorporates an amphitheater and a series of open lawns. Lush plantings was integrated in the design for events and ceremonies. Bloc Design provided landscape architecture and civil engineering design services for this project.
MAYERLING PARK UNDER CONSTRUCTION
March 31, 2021
Civil engineering and landscape architecture services were provided by Bloc Design for Mayerling Park. Located on approximately 5 acres, the design was built in an existing residential neighborhood, giving easy accessibility for an active lifestyle. The park includes a shelter, walking trails, a basketball court and a Berliner Custom design structure. The structure was nestled within an existing valley to provide additional privacy.
THE OSSA STUDIO PODCAST FEATURING COLLIN BROCK
February 1 , 2021
Check out our very own Collin Brock with Jack Ossa on Ossa Studio's The Power of Design Podcast. Collin digs into his journey in starting the firm, our firm's leadership approach, and the value we bring to clients within the design process. To listen to the full podcast, click here.
TRINITY CROSSING CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS
January 20, 2021
Work continues for the 115 lot subdivision located in Kannapolis, NC. The project scope included civil engineering, coordination with the City of Kannapolis on the project’s public utilities, the overall schedule for engineering and permitting, and our standard QC process to ensure that the project documents were accurate and thorough. Phase 2 is now under way.
NEW YEAR, NEW BLOC SWAG
January 8, 2020
Check out our new arrivals that just came in for the Bloc Swag. The team couldn't be more excited to have their winter apparel come just in time for the cold weather. If you ask the engineers, they can agree it's coming in pretty handy right about now for the site visits. Thanks to our in-house modeling team!