Diamond Pier & The BLOCK Project

Every Great Idea Needs a Solid Foundation

What is Diamond Pier?

Diamond Pier is a low-impact, bearing pin foundation system with a 30-year history. Originally developed for commercial projects through protected wetlands, the Diamond Pier can now be purchased off-the-shelf to use on decks, screened porches, pergolas, and other accessory structures.

Diamond Pier foundation uses the strength of a precast concrete head to lock in four weight-bearing, galvanized steel pins that transfer the load to a larger area of undisturbed soil than the traditional concrete footing. Diamond Pier requires no excavation. By not excavating or pouring concrete, not only does it save the environment from the tremendous amount of carbon emitted from concrete production, but also keeps underground ecosystems intact. Functioning like tree roots, this spread pile technology is fast, smart, low-impact, and sturdy.

What is the BLOCK Project?

The BLOCK Project builds communities of compassion throughout Seattle, engaging individuals and their neighborhoods to welcome someone experiencing homelessness into their lives. They build permanent dwelling units in willing homeowners' backyards, giving community members an opportunity to make a difference and Residents a place to call home. Their vision is to help end homelessness by building a BLOCK Home and thriving community on every residential block in Seattle.

In 2017, BLOCK Architects enlisted Facing Homelessness to take ownership of the BLOCK Project and bring it to the community. Facing Homelessness is a 501(c)(3) organization building a new awareness about those experiencing homelessness. What began as a photo-journal project on Facebook in 2010 has grown into a global movement to end homelessness through community.

"Housing is the backbone of any society, and the BLOCK firm has managed to incorporate its most critical features - safe harbor, architectural expression, craft, practicality, pride of place, neighborhood belonging – all in the very smallest of structures."