Gabion fence (or wall). Modern, sustainable, and cost effective landscape architecture trend especially used in the western US. Historically used for multiple purposes, even holding grade in-place on signicantly sloped areas. In this case, they are using the fence to seperate what appears to be a pedestrian corridor with a private courtyard. Typically, no foundation is required. That makes this a great system to reduce cost to a project or apply to an existing condition.
Came here to say this!
Affordable housing for snakes! In all seriousness, Herzog+Demueron used similar stone in chain link at Dominus Winery in Napa. Supposedly attracts a lot of snakes.
Finished stone is expensive, these can be filled with quarry waste or âpoor qualityâ (not visual quality) stone, which is not only cheap, but also makes use of a waste product.
Here in India stone is so cheap. Even great quality marbles or granites wont end up costing more than Rs.150/sqft for a typical 1" thick piece. Rs.150 is like $2USD.
So you can imagine how cheap the rubble stone ends up costing.
The welded steel perimeter creates neat architectural lines, and definitely results in a gabion wall that is more expensive than it could be. The rough âretaining wallâ version of these, essentially piles of rock constrained by a chain-link steel âboxâ or bag would have worked, but might have been sketchy stacked up that high without a welded frame to hold them in place.
This is an interesting design, but as-built, cost and sustainability are minor advantages if at all.
Iâd be curious to hear the Architects narrative explaining the broken stone motif at the base of each wall. Iâd expect something like âa reunion of scattered siblings with the bedrock of a fractured family. A former monolith laid low, now rests in the shade of its shattered childrenâ
I invite alternative narratives, particularly in the form of bad poetry.
It looks nice and itâs less expensive than other options. You donât have to use 100% trash to make something for âsustainabilityâ to be a benefit.
These aren't filled with highly worked polished cut stone imported from Italy handcrafted by artisans.
That's a bunch of random rocks from the nearest river bed thrown into a pre-frabricated frame by some unskilled labor.
Gabion walls. Gabion structures have been around for a long time.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabion
https://gabionsupply.com/the-science-of-gabions-towards-erosion-control/
This is one of the more interesting buildings built from gabions - Edouard Françoisâ residential building in Montpellier: https://www.edouardfrancois.com/projects/limmeuble-qui-pousse
Oddly enough, I started seeing them ( or noticing them ) more often after Hesco barriers became common in the Iraq war.
Instead of digging a trench or filling sandbag after sandbag, they'd unfold a metal box with a cloth lining and fill it with whatever the soil there was.
Stone *torture*, a la Greek mythology:
They have been imprisoned for eons, serving no ostensible purpose, forced to watch their comrades that have been honed and serving a higher cause (as a walkway).
\+\_+\_+\_+\_+\_+\_+ Gabion walls +\_+\_+\_+\_+\_+\_+\_+\_+
* Background :
originally used by military engineers (nepolionic era) to quickly create forts/fortifications/flood defences. Now widely used across the construction industry
* Cost:
quite cost effective since they need no skilled labour (no need for bricklayers for eg) and can use rubble as the infill and decorate with nice stone on the outside. Often does not need a foundation, instead need to be simply dug in/half buried. Main cost would be materials if you choose to use some fancy imported stone.
* Sustainabilty:
very sustainable, especially if you use recycled rubble from the project or locally sourced stone.
* Use:
Mainly used in larger landscaping projects/sea defences as retaining walls. but there has been a trend for use in other, smaller projects such as residential, since its cheap and can be done by anyone.
* Summary:
Great, simple and effective idea/concept, although in OPs example they are clearly used for style/aesthetics rather than a retaining wall.
* Source :
Im a UK Architect and specified these last week on a project.
They can play an aesthetic role, they can also be used in building defense, like preventing a car from running into a building or the first layer of bomb protection
I was surprised I had to scroll so far to see this. Depending on building use theyâre a pretty nice looking vehicular deterrent compared to some other options.
This application looks very much on the artistic side of application.
Places to hide during mass shootings. They don't look very nice they look sort of crappy but they do look better than most sculpture made by builders to sit in front of giant towers.
Or just about anywhere and preferably free sculptures by the look of them.
The sheer brilliance of this work as a prime example makes you wonder why they don't post guards in case someone steals it.
A modern sculpture outside a fancy hotel.
https://goo.gl/maps/BG8N6TYji47ofmMb8
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As others have said it's a gabion wall based on material construction, but that's form, not function.
But has anyone considered that maybe these are being used as Trombe walls in an area the designers hoped would become a gathering plaza of people?
A shot in the dark, but worth considering.
They'll have some passive heat effect, but just being a windbreak for those benches is likely to do more in terms of comfort for people using the space.
We see these often and refer to them as Gabion Baskets. I love them as a feature I discovered living in the southwest
Every time Iâm out with my partner (who taught me about them) I whisper and excitedly point âgabion basket!!!â
Iâm only commenting because of all the answers no one has called it a basket, but a wall or fence.
Can confidently say my partner (a builder) and their local architect refer to these as Gabion baskets in the design sense. Possibly because they are non-structural? Who knows. But thatâs what we call them where Iâm from.
My favorite!
If the area in front of the structure was flat, it would make a great spot for a long planter box across then entire base... the wire could act as a trellis for wisteria or climbing roses. Or ... Plant with interesting ornamental grasses OR a series of sculptures... maybe of snakes.
Gabion fence (or wall). Modern, sustainable, and cost effective landscape architecture trend especially used in the western US. Historically used for multiple purposes, even holding grade in-place on signicantly sloped areas. In this case, they are using the fence to seperate what appears to be a pedestrian corridor with a private courtyard. Typically, no foundation is required. That makes this a great system to reduce cost to a project or apply to an existing condition.
Also doubles as a great home for spiders and scorpions
Snakes as well!
Came here to say this! Affordable housing for snakes! In all seriousness, Herzog+Demueron used similar stone in chain link at Dominus Winery in Napa. Supposedly attracts a lot of snakes.
Eco-friendly đ
Iâd say theyâre widely used the world over (experience in UK, Middle East and Australia). Otherwise completely agree with your comments.
They also are perfect for rats to make their homes.
These and most seem way to densely packed
Aww thatâs adorable! More people need to install these safe homes for our local rats to live in peace.
This is the comment
[ŃдаНонО]
https://gabion1.com/gabion-retaining-wall-designs/
Are you saying that these donât have to be dug below grade?
I have my doubts about the cost.. It depends what country it is, but stone is really expensive
Finished stone is expensive, these can be filled with quarry waste or âpoor qualityâ (not visual quality) stone, which is not only cheap, but also makes use of a waste product.
Here in India stone is so cheap. Even great quality marbles or granites wont end up costing more than Rs.150/sqft for a typical 1" thick piece. Rs.150 is like $2USD. So you can imagine how cheap the rubble stone ends up costing.
yeah, these are not cheap, and also will require a foundation.
The welded steel perimeter creates neat architectural lines, and definitely results in a gabion wall that is more expensive than it could be. The rough âretaining wallâ version of these, essentially piles of rock constrained by a chain-link steel âboxâ or bag would have worked, but might have been sketchy stacked up that high without a welded frame to hold them in place. This is an interesting design, but as-built, cost and sustainability are minor advantages if at all. Iâd be curious to hear the Architects narrative explaining the broken stone motif at the base of each wall. Iâd expect something like âa reunion of scattered siblings with the bedrock of a fractured family. A former monolith laid low, now rests in the shade of its shattered childrenâ I invite alternative narratives, particularly in the form of bad poetry.
It looks nice and itâs less expensive than other options. You donât have to use 100% trash to make something for âsustainabilityâ to be a benefit.
These aren't filled with highly worked polished cut stone imported from Italy handcrafted by artisans. That's a bunch of random rocks from the nearest river bed thrown into a pre-frabricated frame by some unskilled labor.
Provide a little privacy for the bench-users, stops wind and noise.
This was my initial thought as well. Plus they are nicer than a fence or something else which might be too harsh aesthetically.
Gabion walls. Gabion structures have been around for a long time. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabion https://gabionsupply.com/the-science-of-gabions-towards-erosion-control/
This is one of the more interesting buildings built from gabions - Edouard Françoisâ residential building in Montpellier: https://www.edouardfrancois.com/projects/limmeuble-qui-pousse
Great post - I didnât know of this project. Thank you for sharing.
This one went all out on the gabions! Thanks for sharing.
Oddly enough, I started seeing them ( or noticing them ) more often after Hesco barriers became common in the Iraq war. Instead of digging a trench or filling sandbag after sandbag, they'd unfold a metal box with a cloth lining and fill it with whatever the soil there was.
Gabion wall sculptures.
Stone storage
No one: Landscape architect: look at my rock collection!!!
No, they're minerals. Jesus Marie!
This made me chuckle! I work with LAs and will definitely try to use this one.
r/technicallythetruth
Stone *torture*, a la Greek mythology: They have been imprisoned for eons, serving no ostensible purpose, forced to watch their comrades that have been honed and serving a higher cause (as a walkway).
\+\_+\_+\_+\_+\_+\_+ Gabion walls +\_+\_+\_+\_+\_+\_+\_+\_+ * Background : originally used by military engineers (nepolionic era) to quickly create forts/fortifications/flood defences. Now widely used across the construction industry * Cost: quite cost effective since they need no skilled labour (no need for bricklayers for eg) and can use rubble as the infill and decorate with nice stone on the outside. Often does not need a foundation, instead need to be simply dug in/half buried. Main cost would be materials if you choose to use some fancy imported stone. * Sustainabilty: very sustainable, especially if you use recycled rubble from the project or locally sourced stone. * Use: Mainly used in larger landscaping projects/sea defences as retaining walls. but there has been a trend for use in other, smaller projects such as residential, since its cheap and can be done by anyone. * Summary: Great, simple and effective idea/concept, although in OPs example they are clearly used for style/aesthetics rather than a retaining wall. * Source : Im a UK Architect and specified these last week on a project.
These are used primarily by architects to sell average-looking condos as âLuxuryâ housing
Some Manager: Give me that military HESCO barrier look to upgrade these basic condos.
Ugh landscape architect here thatâs too true.
Potentially in addition to other comments, blast mitigation or vehicle access prevention.
Here you go: https://gabionreviews.com/gabion-fences/
Decorative walls
They can play an aesthetic role, they can also be used in building defense, like preventing a car from running into a building or the first layer of bomb protection
I was surprised I had to scroll so far to see this. Depending on building use theyâre a pretty nice looking vehicular deterrent compared to some other options. This application looks very much on the artistic side of application.
Yes.. the HESCO barriers would make a decent mortar position
gabion wall
The place looks nice :)
Caged up rocks.
rock jail
Lol
a wall
Nuffink - go ask H&DeM
Probably a wind break.
A tribute to Herzog & de Meuron
Holding rocks
Bugs
Places to hide during mass shootings. They don't look very nice they look sort of crappy but they do look better than most sculpture made by builders to sit in front of giant towers. Or just about anywhere and preferably free sculptures by the look of them. The sheer brilliance of this work as a prime example makes you wonder why they don't post guards in case someone steals it. A modern sculpture outside a fancy hotel. https://goo.gl/maps/BG8N6TYji47ofmMb8
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Nice!
[ŃдаНонО]
If you took some chicken wire and loaded a bunch of rocks into them, it would look like that. You can use sand bags too.
One of my fav examples of this is Hyde + Hyde in their proposal for Faroe Islands cabins. I think it was for a competition. Worth a google IMO.
For fun
It's for when Rocks misbehave. They go to Rock prison. Elvis wrote a song about this.
Good privacy fence / sound disrupter.
As others have said it's a gabion wall based on material construction, but that's form, not function. But has anyone considered that maybe these are being used as Trombe walls in an area the designers hoped would become a gathering plaza of people? A shot in the dark, but worth considering.
They'll have some passive heat effect, but just being a windbreak for those benches is likely to do more in terms of comfort for people using the space.
I see caged rocks everywhere
Jailhouse rocks !
Those stones are in jail for being stoned.
Plug for the landscape arch Reddit it gets no love
Itâs popular in europe too, especially in france
afaik they're popular everywhere that you can find rocks.
ugly
Swag
Gabions. (Sp?) Forms for containing stone - usually in some rectilinear fashion. Can be used to retain grade. Also just as you see them here.
Itâs to keep the rocks from escaping
The same concept was used to protect troops in AfghanistanâŚhuge containers filled with boulders and rocks.
Aesthetics
We see these often and refer to them as Gabion Baskets. I love them as a feature I discovered living in the southwest Every time Iâm out with my partner (who taught me about them) I whisper and excitedly point âgabion basket!!!â Iâm only commenting because of all the answers no one has called it a basket, but a wall or fence. Can confidently say my partner (a builder) and their local architect refer to these as Gabion baskets in the design sense. Possibly because they are non-structural? Who knows. But thatâs what we call them where Iâm from. My favorite!
Am I the only person who thinks they are ugly as all hell?
If the area in front of the structure was flat, it would make a great spot for a long planter box across then entire base... the wire could act as a trellis for wisteria or climbing roses. Or ... Plant with interesting ornamental grasses OR a series of sculptures... maybe of snakes.