The f-BLOK Way

Take a peek behind the curtain.

Our group shares a common interest in the built environment, emphasizing place-making that is inclusive, meaningful, and respectful. We share, sketch, debate, and build – internally and with the community beyond – promoting candid and open conversations as explorations of the problem we seek to solve.

Who's the "BLOK"?

A group or collective coming together to be better than any individual in the pursuit of common goals.

Why the "f"?

We don’t believe in design for design’s sake –  we dig to understand the root of the problem and come together with purpose and intention. 

The 'f' is for:

f-BLOK Team Value Statements

f-BLOK team values
f-BLOK team values
f-BLOK team values

Our Approach

Our organizational values serve as a rallying point for f-BLOK to collaborate around and a basis for all team members to commit to. Here’s what to expect:

I ask questions to learn and listen to understand. ​
I take initiative, and work through challenges.
I adapt my role for the success of the team.
I value input and advocate for differing perspectives. ​​
I uncover purpose, and forge intentional solutions.
I begin with trust, and provide an unguarded approach.

We commissioned visual artist Jordan Stranger to interpret these statements as imagery.

BLOKtalk

Take a closer look at the f-BLOK lingo.

[blɑk flɑk] noun
the f-BLOK team nickname
(we are still working on our flying ‘v”)

[blɑk ˈbldɪŋ] noun
bi-weekly means and methods discussion 

[blɑk ɔf] verb
triannual development day for the team

lunchBLOK
[lənʧ blɑk] noun
monthly internal lunch and learn to share gained knowledge with the team

[sɛt əˈsd blɑk] noun
bi-weekly research & development time outside of projects

[blɑk ɑps] noun
bi-weekly team resource management meeting (yes, despite all these meetings we are actually quite productive!)

[blɑk ˈsɒlvɪŋ] noun
weekly drop-in design charette (Thursdays at 11am, feel free to drop-in and try our excellent coffee!)

[faɪt blɑk] noun
informal head-to-head idea discussion
(watch live here… kidding, there is no recorded evidence…)

Through the engagement of multiple perspectives and lived experiences, we embrace diversity and bring nuance into our work. 

Our ideas are not precious. Fostering a collaborative and open approach, we aim to strengthen and enhance our design solutions. We feel an urgency to connect ideas with people and discuss how we can build a better world. Our work is bigger than us.