Justin Grow is quick to haul out the old chestnut that Rome wasn't built in a day -- and neither was the concrete wall in ... architectural block that has a rough, stone-like texture created ...

In terms of thermal performance, a block wall ... concrete blocks is a mixture of powdered portland cement, water, sand, and gravel. This produces a light gray block with a fine surface texture ...

Inside, neutral finishes of white-painted walls and glossy flooring, are offset by wooden touches and the black handrail surrounding the voids. Part of the concrete wall that remains exposed ...