Purchasing property on a steep slope often leaves the owner faced with finding a safe, but also an attractive way to create enough level building space for their dream home. In this case, two plots needed levelling to allow optimal space for two new luxury villas and generous gardens to be built on the slopes of Paarl Mountain, South Africa.
The Terraforce retaining wall system was proposed by Energy Master Builders, offering the most cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing solution, and Decorton Retaining Systems, Terraforce Recommended Contractor, was contracted to install the retaining walls on both properties.
SP van Blerk, Decorton says, “The installation was straightforward, on a concrete foundation with the specified drainage system and geofabric reinforcement for added stability. To green up the walls, trees and shrubs were planted along the terraces and bottom boundaries of the walls, while some sections were planted with fast-growing creepers that will eventually cover most of the blocks. The result? A softer, greener solution to a problem that would have otherwise warranted solid concrete walls that can not be planted easily and cost a fortune.”
Fast-growing creepers cover the wall more and more
In the morning light
Project Participants
Architect: Johan Visser
Engineer: Fred Laker (Icos Consulting Engineers)
Main Contractor: Energy Master Builders
Sub-Contractor: Decorton Retaining Systems
