About - BLOCS

Designing spaces, enriching lives.

We don’t just believe thoughtful design can transform communities, we actively prove it. It’s what we do as a landscape architecture and urban design studio – one that’s committed to supporting and prioritizing social, emotional and physical wellbeing.

Launching in 2020 with a simple question – what if public spaces were truly designed for the people who experience them every day? – we set out to do things differently from the beginning. We don’t follow standard solutions, design trends of outdated models. Instead, we focus on creating welcoming spaces that reflect local needs by working directly with the communities we’re serving.

BLOCS was founded by Blake in 2020 with a passion for creating meaningful, people-focused spaces. We design outdoor spaces that serve both communities and the developments they’re part of – balancing thoughtful, people-first design with practical, real-world solutions that last. We specialize in:

Community-centered design: Engaging local voices to create spaces that reflect the people they serve

Mission-driven solutions: Designing with purpose, ensuring every project aligns with our core values of equity, connection and wellbeing

Design for thriving: Crafting spaces that support social, emotional and physical wellness – fostering a sense of belonging

Execution with impact: Taking a resource-conscious approach to maximize value and deliver meaningful, high-quality design

Areas of expertise

Multi-family housing
Assisted living and memory care
Parks / open space / urban plazas
Mixed used and residential
Master plan housing developments
Community-based design
Placemaking / interior to exterior
Institutional
Art installations

Blake Tomilloso-Rhinehart
Founder & CEO

Founder, Blake combines 13 years of experience in landscape architecture and construction with a passion for creating spaces where people and communities thrive.

As head of business, he drives operations, business development, and project delivery – partnering with developers and architects to craft landscapes that elevate value and impact.

A licensed landscape architect in eight states and Bay-Friendly certified, Blake’s expertise spans master-planned communities, mixed-use housing, and streetscape revamps—all with a focus on making places that enrich lives.

Helen Kim
Senior Landscape Designer

Helen is an enthusiastic Senior Landscape Designer with strength in providing a hands-on approach to support and manage all aspects of project development. With her exceptional knowledge of design and construction combined with managerial skill set, Helen executes various projects from conceptual design to construction observation. She excels in creative problem solving and brings a practical perspective to each project. In her 20 years of experience, Helen has focused on a wide range of project types including commercial, public works, hospitality and master planned community.

Diana Patricia Carrillo
Senior Landscape Designer

Diana is a multidisciplinary designer with experience across architecture, interiors, and landscape design. She excels at transforming ideas into meaningful spaces through thoughtful concept development, design refinement, and a strong sense of aesthetics. Her work reflects a balance between creativity, technical precision, and care for the people who experience each place. Skilled in project coordination and visual storytelling, she ensures design consistency and quality throughout every phase of the process—striving to create environments that inspire connection, comfort, and wellbeing.

Collaborators

BLOCS works with a range of people – finding the perfect team to deliver your project. Regular collaborators include:

Wenpei Wang Child Development Landscape Design Specialist

Katie Hartman, PLA Planting and Horticulture Expert

Sigourney Architecture Architectural Consultant

Glasir Design Irrigation

Need Branding and graphic design

The Arbor Group Arborists and Tree Experts

Registered  Landscape Architect:
California #6255
Texas #3671
Arizona #74312
Utah #12471085-5301
Oregon #1092
Nevada #1098
Washington #23025174

Bay Friendly Landscape Certified

California Unified Certification Program
Small Business (SB)
Small Business for Purpose of Public Works (SB-PW)

At BLOCS, we love connecting with passionate people about potential projects. You can get in touch with us any way you’d like – emailing, calling, DM-ing, or even writing a letter.

3800 Maybelle Avenue,
Oakland CA 94619,
916 716 9331

CA Landscape Architect
#6255

Email us at
[email protected]

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Blake Tomilloso-Rhinehart Founder & CEO

Helen Kim Senior Landscape Designer

Diana Patricia Carrillo Senior Landscape Designer

Blake Tomilloso-Rhinehart
Founder & CEO

Helen Kim
Senior Landscape Designer

Diana Patricia Carrillo
Senior Landscape Designer