Watershed Block

Words: Bronzella Cleveland

https://watershedmaterials.com/
Photo copyright Ed Caldwell.

The Stanford Watershed Block’s color palette is inspired by the rich reddish-brown sandstone beneath the Stanford University campus

Watershed Block has introduced a new line of block all made using local materials that celebrate the region of their origin, all produced with the latest in sustainable building materials technology. The Lime White Watershed Block offers a zero-cement formula, a glacier-white appearance, and a novel mix design with a dramatically increased sustainability profile. The block uses no Portland cement, instead deriving strength from the high compression lithification of lime, recycled ground granulated blast furnace slag, and natural clays.

The Stanford Watershed Block’s color palette is inspired by the rich reddish-brown sandstone beneath the Stanford University campus. The block’s warm hue emerges as red clay from Amador County is mixed with crushed basalt from Mark West Springs, west of Calistoga, and quarry fines from Nun’s Canyon in the Mayacamas Mountains of Sonoma County. Finally, the Sweetwater Watershed Block (pictured) is comprised of mostly rhyolitic fines from Nun’s Canyon with a touch of crushed rhyolite from the BoDean quarry, both in the Mayacamas Mountains of eastern Sonoma County. The sunrise hue of the Sweetwater Block surfaces as the warm, almost peach color of the Nun’s Canyon fines overpowers the gray basalt from Mark West Springs.

Save

Concealed Lintels, Exposed Craftsmanship: Navigating High-Detail Brickwork
October 2026

In modern architecture, some of the most striking masonry features are the ones where the structural support is completely invisible. Concealed lintels, floating brick soffits, and intricate column projections create clean, continuous sightlines that high

Midwest Cast Stone Recommits as a Gold Partner in 2027
October 2026

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is delighted to share that Midwest Cast Stone will recommit as a Gold Partner in the 2027 Masonry Alliance Program.

Brickworks Supply Center Returns as a Gold Partner in 2027
October 2026

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is proud to announce that Brickworks Supply Center will return as a Gold Partner in the 2027 Masonry Alliance Program.

Unique Industries Kem-O-Kleen Remains a Silver Partner in 2027
October 2026

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is pleased to announce that Unique Industries Kem-O-Kleen will remain as a Silver Partner in the 2027 Masonry Alliance Program.