About
45 years of product development
The company was founded by Holger Rust in Cape Town in early 1978
It takes certain kind foresight and insight to grab hold of a promising idea, and it takes even more courage and perseverance to take this idea to its deserved heights. And that is precisely what Holger Rust, founder and director of Cape Town based company Terraforce, managed to achieve over the past 45 years.
By the 1990s Terraforce blocks were well established in South Africa, with nine licensees producing in all major centres. Today Terraforce blocks are available in Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Spain, United Arab Emirates, India, Swaziland, Namibia, Lesotho, Morocco and recently Egypt, while block sales now reach into the millions.
Company motto
Terraforce designed the original interlocking and reversible hollow core earth retaining blocks almost 40 years ago. They are incredibly versatile, but the most significant aspect of the blocks is that, by being fully permeable, reversible and plantable, they offer a sustainable solution to anyone who needs to consider landscaping or erosion control on site, as an alternative to impermeable (and often unsightly) solid concrete methods.
Not only has this been part of our marketing approach from the beginning, but it goes beyond strategy. Holger Rust, Terraforce founder/MD, has always been passionate about sustainable living and green products and it is this passion that steered him into the direction of creating a product that allows a concrete retaining wall to blend into the surrounding, be it for environmental or aesthetic considerations, often forgotten aspects of maintaining a native balance in urban or rural environments.
The company’s motto is “go green, go clean”, wherever you can. In life and in business, it is the only truly sustainable option for our planets’ future.
Great ideas start “big”
In 1979 Terraforce began importing wire mesh gabions from Spain, later becoming involved in the construction of gabion retaining walls and erosion control measures. And it is during this time that inspiration struck, and Rust realised that a more cost-effective and practical method of earth retaining was needed in South Africa. After the first Terraforce S blocks (then still weighing in at 50kg) where produced on a small home built “egg layer” block machine, Terraforce has never looked back.
In 1984, when the first license agreements were signed, daily production reached 400 blocks and eventually combined Terraforce block sales, equalling over 6000sq.m per month, were achieved in Cape Town alone.
Terraforce continued to expand and mature, as Mr Rust strove to implement his strategy to up-date and improve feasibility/case studies, evaluation reports and design software frequently, as well as expanding the Terraforce product range to include lighter retaining blocks, an accessory block for stairs or seating and two erosion control or hard lawn paving blocks.
Company successes
And it’s not just sales figures that tell a story of success. Terraforce installations have managed to secure numerous awards for the company in the last few years, most notably the coveted Bayer Trophy that is awarded biannually to top class projects in the construction industry by the CMA (Concrete Manufacturers Association) Awards for Excellence. In the category Concrete Retaining Walls, Terraforce was awarded the premier trophy no less than 6 times.
The company continues to develop customer satisfaction and reputation of service integrity. In 2004 a network of recommended installers and contractors was initiated, who undertake to guarantee their workmanship. In 2011 Terrasafe was founded, a professional design service for Terraforce retaining walls, and currently Maxiwall, a design software for Terraforce products is in the process of being upgraded. They have all proven to be successful and are contributing to the sound foundation on which the company rests.
This dedication to multi-functionality and sustainable development is part of the reason that Terraforce has been recognised and grown so much locally and overseas. Rust is satisfied with his decision of pursuing a sustainable business model, through extensive, and sometimes expensive, product testing and research in laboratories, here and overseas:
“I was warned that making too much information freely available on our web site would encourage the reverse engineers, the free riders of our times to jump on the band wagon. This has happened to some extent, with even a leading corporate citizen among the suspects, but overall, their activities are not long lasting and have not been able to hamper our sustained growth, even in the current recession.
For me that was the most rewarding confirmation, that a combination of innovation, quality and commitment, are the most powerful driver of a long-lasting business.”
For more information on TERRAFORCE Products: Contact Us
Client Testimonials
"Fantastically versatile product that offers structural strength, aesthetic arrangement and provides a plantable living feature wall. Peter was extremely helpful and responsive in his communication and both deliveries arrived on time."
- Natasha Mikula, UK
"Happy to show anyone local what can be achieved with your great product, I love the wall!” This wall is in Rock, Cornwall, and was lovingly planted with 4000 plants."
- Carol Barkwell, Devon, UK
"Glad to see its taking off in the UK. We got ours 10 years ago – first delivery in Dorset and we built our wall. The blocks made our garden look amazing and so easy to install too!"
- Diana Kenney, Wiltshire, UK
"My husband has created an amazing wall with your Terraforce blocks. We live on a slant and we have built a retaining wall and built up from the bottom of the slant to the house level and have created an amazing pool area with views out over the area. The Terraforce wall is a highlight!!! I have attached a couple of before pictures also. We basically have used the Terraforce wall to build up and pop the pool into. Thanks for such an awesome product!!!"
- Simone Elwell, Perth, Australia
"Just last weekend we built some stairs in the wall with the blocks as we love it so much – it looks good (even though the blocks you guys use for stairs are rectangular and these are curved)…we plan to glue the caps for safety…It’s not completely done but nearly there — we now have the pool in and the 1 metre wall is doing well – we LOVE LOVE LOVE Terraforce!!!!"
- Katherine James, Perth, Australia
"Terraforce is a fantastic product. The longevity of the blocks is phenomenal and highly recommended as a solution to all applicable retaining requirements. Been using your product for many many years and very impressed."
- Kevin Bailey, Cape Town, South Africa
"Though I’ve never enjoyed trampolines in a landscape, you’ve done well. Particularly noteworthy is the open stem wall top. Though I’ve terraced with many materials, this is as a concrete block turned on its side: supportive, reinforces water conservation and slows spillage. For someone at the bottom of a hill, water distribution both retention and redistribution is important. Great job!"
- Brenda Miller of Florida
"The rock face blocks blend with the natural environment, their sandstone colour matching the surrounding soil. They are plantable and permeable, allowing the landscapers free reign."
- Hannes Bouwer of Bouwer Architects
"It is a very well known product, and we liked that the system is a design and supply item."
- Karien Visser, engineer with KLS Consulting Engineers
"Terraforce offers a user-friendly landscape remodelling method that is flexible, cost-effective and faster to install than off shutter concrete or bricks. The entire job can be done on site and the blocks fit in just about anywhere."
- Tobie Cilliers from Strata Civils
"I am thrilled with the ease of installation. All that is required is a level piece of ground with a matching diameter.” Packing the versatile blocks on a circle marked out around a central foundation hole is a breeze, although requiring some basic construction skills."
- Rudolf Eksteen of Moorreesburg
"Due to the four loops at each interchange being different the Client requested that each interchange design be unique. The challenge was to be creative, functional (for maintenance), keep aesthetic appeal and to maintain the structural integrity required. This kind of variation could not have been achieved with the precast walls originally proposed. As a result, the walls showcase the remarkable design flexibility that is possible with a Terraforce block, by alternating between a flush, round or rock face finish, varied setbacks for a featuresque appearance, integrated steps and good plant cover."
- Simon Knutton of Knutton Consulting
Our Awards
CMA AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE
Since they were first staged in 1985, the Awards have become the undoubted highlight of the precast concrete industry’s calendar. The competition is based on recently completed projects in which technical and aesthetic excellence, among other aspects, are critically assessed by a panel of independent judges drawn from the professions.
Held biennially and open to all members, the event provides an excellent vehicle for Southern African designers and project developers to establish themselves as trendsetters across several disciplines, and in doing so, to gain national recognition.
1998
1998 - Terraforce started competing in the CMA Awards in 1998, winning many awards in the years that followed.
Retaining walls occupy the minds of architects, landscape architects and engineers, and these days it is expected that these walls should be aesthetically pleasing, environmentally sound and functional.
Terraforce wins the Bayer Trophy
Although they are probably the least noticed aspect of a major construction project they can make or break a development!
The biennial competition, facilitated by the South African Concrete Manufacturers Association (C.M.A.) seeks to recognise innovative use and design of concrete products.
Judges’ comments:
This is how concrete retaining blocks should be used to optimum effect. Cleverly handling a difficult site in an aesthetically pleasing fashion. Robust engineering turned into an organic, delightful landscape. When the planting matures, the result will resemble plant-covered historic ruins. A delightful blend of form and space. Excellent aesthetics.
1998 CMA Award winner
Good plant cover softens the wall
2000
2000 - CMA Awards for Excellence - Fijnbosch Farm
Category: Retaining wall elements
Product: L13, 4×4 Multi, L11, in sandstone
Architects: Douglas T. Forrest
Designers: Jason Banks
Contractors: Cape Wall cc
Manufacturers: Klapmuts Concrete (Pty) Ltd
Licensor: Terraforce cc
Judge’s comments:
An excellent example of how these products can be used to solve various engineering problems and give an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Within a short time the indigenous plants would have completely obscured the blocks from view, but they will still be working hard!
Concrete Manufacturers Awards 2000
The banquet ceremony for the CMA Awards for Excellence 2000 competition was held at the Indaba Hotel, Sandton on the 2nd September, 2000. As expected from members of this prestigious association, the record number of 174 entries displayed a high level of excellence. Four categories of entries were judged by a panel of 10 professionals chosen from over 200 nominees.
Of the 24 segmental-block retaining walls submitted from various centers in South Africa, 16 were submitted by Terraforce and their licencees. There were 8 awards designated for retaining walls, 7 of which were won by Terraforce, including the highly prized Premier Award for Excellence, the Bayer Trophy.
This desirable trophy was thus returned to Terraforce, who had won it at the previous event. The contractor responsible for this high standard of workmanship was Paul Collins of Cape Wall cc. Look at the website www.maxiwall.com for more information on our design software, Maxiforce 2000.
Ten year old retaining wall
Providing level space for a tennis court
2002
2002 - CMA Awards for Excellence
Every two years the Concrete Manufacturers Association celebrates this event in recognition of high standards in quality and aesthetics. In the division “Retaining Block Walls”, Terraforce romped home with four of the five regional and national awards, and for the third time running, the Bayer Trophy Premier Award.
Designer: J. Leighton
Engineer: de Villiers & Sheard – B.V.I. Consulting
Walling Contractor: Decorton
Manufacturer: Klapmuts Concrete (Pty.) Ltd.
 CMA Awards for Excellence 2002 |
 6m high vertical, smooth faced wall |
The rugged site and difficult access conditions required a number of creative stabilising measures. Some fairly conventional plant supportive terraces were installed at the lower end of the property.
 Stair detail |
 Composite retaining walls – Award winner |
Due to the clayey and at times water-logged soil conditions, additional backfill reinforcement with woven geofabrics was required. Near the house an almost 6m high vertical, smooth-faced wall of 305m² was constructed within 37 working days.
2004
2004 - CMA Awards for Excellence - Terraforce comes out on top.
At the gala banquet ceremony for the bi-annual CMA Awards for Excellence, held at the Theatre on the Track, Kyalami, Gauteng on October 9, Terraforce once again dominated in the segmented concrete retaining block category, taking home all six awards allocated to this genre.
Receiving the award in 2004
Out of 13 submissions in the retaining wall elements category, eight were from Terraforce and four of these won all the awards allocated to the category, firmly cementing Terraforce’s position as a market leader in this field. Mr. Holger Rust, owner and director of Terraforce, is adamant in passing his thanks on to those who have helped him to build up a successful and thriving business over the past years:
“Our success is largely due to a well-oiled team effort and we thank our licensees and recommended contractors for their creative and dedicated input and continued support.”
National Awards
Two national CMA awards – only conferred if the judges feel the entries meet the standards worthy of such an award – were presented to projects utilizing Terraforce blocks, of which the most striking is a large installation on the Dimension Data Campus in Gauteng. Here 38 000 L18 blocks with a rock-face finish were used to create a terraced application to accommodate spectator seating and vertical walls.
 Dimension Data Campus in Gauteng |
 National Award winner 2004 |
Judges commented on the “good engineering and overgrowth, as well as good variety and combination of materials that blend in well with the architecture.”
The other national award went to a Terraforce retaining wall – installed by Decorton – that impressed for its creative use of L11 and 4×4 blocks to provide a solution for a difficult architectural task: providing level space for a tennis court, swimming pool, forecourt and garden space around this new residence on a steeply sloping site.
Ten year old retaining wall |
Providing level space for a tennis court |
The end product revealed an aesthetically pleasing, superbly planted and functional retaining wall that impressed the judges with its “good integration of design elements and levels, as well as use of different blocks and excellent plant coverage.”
The award-winning project in the vintage category showcases a retaining wall around the Liesbeek Trail – built ten years ago – which is now completely invisible to the naked eye. The environment looks untouched, erosion has been curbed and visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding once more.
2006
2006 - CMA Awards for Excellence.
Terraforce and Klapmuts Concrete, Western Cape Terraforce block manufacturer, managed to secure two national and three regional awards (one of which was won by Gauteng Terraforce block manufacturer, ReMaCon Products) in the Retaining Wall Elements category, as well as being awarded a Premier Award, one of four Cathay Pigments trophies.
 Jeremy Leighton receiving the Premier Award on behalf of Decorton |
 Holger Rust, Jeremy Leighton and S.P. van Blerk with the Awards |
The Inland Regional, the National and the Cathay Pigments Trophy-winning project teams in this year’s Awards for Excellence competition were announced during the black tie gala banquet, attended by over 450 guests.
Attending the function were CMA companies, the judges and the media. The MC for the evening was well known comedian David Kau and the awards were presented by Garth Gregory, president of the CMA and Terrence Yu, chairman of Cathay Pigments SA.
The Trophy awards are made to project teams for the most outstanding submission in each of four product groupings: Concrete Block Paving, Concrete Masonry, and Concrete Roof Tiles. The best project from the three remaining entry groups – Infrastructural Products and Innovative Products, Concrete Retaining Block Walls, and Suspended Concrete Floor Slabs – is selected by the judges for the fourth trophy award.:
 Hardy plant varieties prevent wind erosion |
 Highway noise barrier installation |
This year that trophy went to Terraforce cc, Cape Town-based and international licensor of erosion control and retaining wall blocks and their Western Cape manufacturer, Klapmuts Concrete (Pty) Ltd, with the judges recognising the “innovative and ecological” style in which the Terraforce L12 rockface blocks were applied in a highway noise barrier installation at a new development in the Western Cape.
This new development within the Century City complex in Cape Town is located next to a busy thoroughfare. To protect residents from noise and ensure their privacy, a six metre high, 500m long earth berm was created with surplus site material.
The noise barrier, designed by Planning Partners (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town-based landscape architects, was constructed using Terraforce L12 rock face blocks placed on a concrete foundation for each terrace. A subsoil drainage system is located behind the bottom row of blocks and the earth backfill is reinforced with Polytex 115 geofabric on every third row of blocks.
To further improve noise absorption, an embankment with three terraces, each with a maximum height of 1.8m and varying widths, was built on the road-facing side. Hardy plant varieties were introduced to prevent wind erosion on the sloping embankments facing the buildings.
To finish off the overall look, Real Landscapes, a Cape Town landscaping company, used the terraces to good effect by creating almost instant hanging gardens with (mostly) waterwise indigenous planting.
Says Rust from Terraforce: “These hardy plants are fast growers and adapted to dry spells and high winds that can occur in this part of South Africa. They will also be very effective in preventing wind erosion on the sloping embankments, facing the buildings.”
 Little or no irrigation and minimal maintenance |
 Forzando Coal Mine |
Another interesting project, a private home in the Western Cape, also won regional and national awards for that region. Situated in Welgedacht, this house required a landscaped desert image requiring little or no irrigation and minimal maintenance. To achieve this goal, embankments above and below the paved driveway were stabilised with Terraforce L11 rock face blocks in a rustic sandstone colour.
Two separate terraces were incorporated to accommodate feature plants while behind the house another rock face wall was built to provide additional space around the kitchen and pool area. The judges felt that this stylishly landscaped retaining wall complemented the overall architectural form of the house in a very effective manner.
The third regional award, this time for an inland project, was won by ReMaCon Products cc, another Terraforce licensee. In this case, some 270 000 m³ of soil and rock had to be removed at Forzando Coal Mine’s underground entrance to form South Africa’s second largest incline box cut operation. More than 2 200 m² of Terrafix 120 blocks, manufactured by ReMaCon, were required.
Stabilisation of the earth and protection against water erosion was effected by using the blocks, which are quick and easy to place using unskilled labour. They were packed in the densest pattern of 10 blocks per square metre and heavy rains of over 1 000mm between January and March 2006 had no effect on the protected slopes.
Overall, Terraforce has managed, in the past 8 years, to win a Premier Award on four occasions, and has never failed to leave the bi-annual awards function with national and regional awards.
“I am again very proud of the input by the relevant manufacturers and contractors that make these projects possible,” said Rust, “and I am sure that the future holds a promise of even more interesting and innovative developments for Terraforce products.”
2008
2008 - CMA Awards for Excellence
At the Concrete Manufacturers Association (CMA) gala dinner at the Theatre on the Track in Kyalami, Midrand on October 11, Terraforce managed to secure its fifth trophy in the Retaining Wall Elements category for a slope erosion control project at Suikerbossie Nek. The company had previously won the same biannual award in 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2006.
 Receiving the Award at the gala evening |
 Suikerbossie Nek – trophy winning project |
The award will be shared with a Suspended Concrete Floor Slab project in Braamfontein (Bridgeview), Johannesburg, which was entered by Echo Prestress; as the judges felt that Suikerbossie Nek and Bridgeview were outstanding projects both of which were worthy of the premier award, instead of choosing one at the expense of the other the decision was taken to split the honours.
Holger Rust from Terraforce and André Reeders and Neville Moolman from Dassenberg Retaining Systems, the contractors who installed the project, were handed the award by Garth Gregory, president of the CMA and Hans Wiegand, managing director of Cathay Industries SA. Says Rheeder: “We are very happy to be honoured by the industry with this distinction and feel that the quality of the project warranted such reward. It was a challenging project that was solved sensitively to the existing environment.”
 Die Kelders Cave – Special Commendation |
 House Davidson – National Award |
Terraforce also walked away with two Regional Awards for the Cape, two National Awards and a Special Commendation for a project in Die Kelders Cave just outside of De Kelders in the Walker Bay Nature Reserve, Western Cape, where Terraforce L18 blocks were used to preserve a sensitive dig site. Paul Collins of Cape Wall, the contractor appointed to install the wall, feels that the project was a good example of how government at all tiers, consultants, contractors and local people can collaborate to achieve the preservation of natural heritage with positive results.
Judges’ comments “A project visually sensitive to its context. The anchoring wall and landscape planting was well done.”
The Suikerbossie Nek retaining wall project began when two engineering firms, Jeffares & Green and Mike van Wieringen and Associates were requested to investigate a cut slope failure at Suikerbossie Nek, situated above Victoria Road between Camps Bay and Hout Bay.
The engineers found that erosion and collapsing were caused by the angle of the slope. Although initially stable in terms of wedge or slip circle failure, over time the slope had been rendered unstable through weathering, which reduced its surficial strength parameters. In addition, non-functional surface cut-off drains, situated above the cut face, had accelerated erosion and slip failure. Moreover, a lack of regular maintenance had led to silting and vegetation growth in the drain, resulting in choking with consequential over-topping.
Duncan Murphy, a civil engineer at Jeffares & Green, outlined the nature of the failure: “At some point erosion activity would have intersected the cut-off drain, and the formation of a large eroded gully in the cut face would have been the likely outcome. This could have resulted in the formation of a deep and irreparable gully extending a considerable way up the slope. Moreover, judging by the crack pattern in the head-scarp, a significant collapse onto the road during a period of high rainfall was imminent.”
Remedial options such as gunite and soil nails or an 8,5m vertical concrete retaining wall were discarded for aesthetic reasons. Instead a combination of a near vertical gabion toe wall up to 2,5m high, a 35º Terrafix-covered slope topped with a concrete-lined cut-off drain, and Terraforce L12 side walls, was the option selected. Terrafix 150 blocks were laid to trap the maximum amount of topsoil on the face, a solution which has prevented erosion and weathering and encouraged plant growth.
Because the slope was large and curved, near-horizontal concrete infill walers were used at five metre intervals to fill the uneven spaces between adjacent panels. These were secured with anchor bars so that any possible pressure on the gabion wall would be reduced, and Terrafix’s maximum laying density of 10 blocks per square metre was used to prevent lateral sliding.
Thousands of waterwise indigenous plants, ground cover and bulbous species were planted and these have started to relieve the nondescript appearance of the slope.
Professional Team
Engineer: Jeffares & Green / Mike van Wieringen and Associates
Contractor: Dassenberg Retaining Systems
Manufacturer: Klapmuts Concrete
Licensor: Terraforce
Product Information
150 Terrafix blocks
Terraforce L12 blocks (Sandstone)
2010
2010 - CMA Awards for Excellence.
On 6 November, the Premier, National and Regional Inland awards were presented once again at a gala dinner at the Theatre on the Track in Kyalami, Midrand. The awards were made in the following categories: Concrete Block Paving; Concrete Roof Tiles; Concrete Masonry; Concrete Retaining Block (CRB) Walls; Suspended Concrete Floor Slabs; and Innovative Concrete Products.
 Receiving the National Award from Silvio and Allison Ferraris |
 Premier Award won By Remacon |
This year’s competition is notable in that a fifth premier award has been introduced. The award has been created for the Concrete Retaining Block category and is being sponsored by CMA member, Terraforce. In the past this category shared a trophy with Floor Slabs and the Innovative Concrete Products categories. As the number of CRB entrants has increased substantially over the past 10 years it was decided that this division now warranted a trophy of its own.
 Stair and ramp combination with the 4×4 Block |
 National and Regional Award won by Klapmuts Concrete and Dassenberg retaining |
In the category Concrete Retaining Block Walls the Premier Award was awarded to Remacon, Gauteng–based Terraforce licensee, for a retaining wall using its own block, Remblock, at The Islands Estate at Hartebeespoort Dam, North West Province.
Klapmuts Concrete, Terraforce’s Cape-based licensee, walked away with no less than four awards: a National and a Regional Award for the Public Transport Shared Service Centre in Athlone (installed by Dassenberg Retaining), a Regional Award for a domestic wall in Gordon’s Bay and a Regional Award for a vintage wall in Stellenbosch.
 Regional Awards won by Klapmuts Concrete |
 Retaining wall creates garden space |
The competition is held biannually, this being the 13th event since its inception in 1986. CMA director Hamish Laing says the aim of the competition is to promote excellence and innovation in the use of precast concrete: “It also serves to highlight the significant role that CMA member companies are playing in the provision of community housing, educational buildings, access to fresh water, improved sanitation, roads, innovative infrastructural products and eco-friendly construction practice.”
Holger Rust, founder of Terraforce, agrees that the award winners demonstrated excellent awareness of aesthetic values and environmental concerns that are imperative to the concrete retaining wall industry:
“Appreciation for aesthetic values has only started to grow in the last few years. Consequently, while many new commercial and public buildings can easily compete with developed-world standards, the aesthetic values and standards displayed in the landscape measures around these buildings, often do not.
 Retaining wall planted with indigenous plants |
 Regional Award in the vintage category |
“This is possibly due to the fact that the value of landscaped grounds is not appreciated enough, consequently the cheapest retaining solutions are often specified and sometimes with disastrous results.”
He adds that in South Africa past trends have been to specify the more cost-effective open-face, loosely-landscaped method of CRB wall construction, whereas currently it is becoming more popular to build steeper split-face (or rock-face), composite walls without water-guzzling landscaping: “This requires more sophisticated design input, which Terraforce has been well equipped to provide for the past 30 years.
“Terraforce also combines more advantages than any of the other systems: relatively light weight for transport, interlocking on both planes – horizontally and vertically, reversible to display smooth round-face or split straight-face, fully plant supportive, has a closed vertical surface structure for proper compaction of backfill and prevention of backfill erosion, the wall angle can vary to suit site conditions, and it can be filled with soil, gravel or concrete as designed by the engineer.”
2012
2010 - CMA Awards for Excellence.
On 6 November, the Premier, National and Regional Inland awards were presented once again at a gala dinner at the Theatre on the Track in Kyalami, Midrand. The awards were made in the following categories: Concrete Block Paving; Concrete Roof Tiles; Concrete Masonry; Concrete Retaining Block (CRB) Walls; Suspended Concrete Floor Slabs; and Innovative Concrete Products.
Receiving the National Award from Silvio and Allison Ferraris |
Premier Award won By Remacon |
This year’s competition is notable in that a fifth premier award has been introduced. The award has been created for the Concrete Retaining Block category and is being sponsored by CMA member, Terraforce. In the past this category shared a trophy with Floor Slabs and the Innovative Concrete Products categories. As the number of CRB entrants has increased substantially over the past 10 years it was decided that this division now warranted a trophy of its own.
Stair and ramp combination with the 4×4 Block |
National and Regional Award won by Klapmuts Concrete and Dassenberg retaining |
In the category Concrete Retaining Block Walls the Premier Award was awarded to Remacon, Gauteng–based Terraforce licensee, for a retaining wall using its own block, Remblock, at The Islands Estate at Hartebeespoort Dam, North West Province.
Klapmuts Concrete, Terraforce’s Cape-based licensee, walked away with no less than four awards: a National and a Regional Award for the Public Transport Shared Service Centre in Athlone (installed by Dassenberg Retaining), a Regional Award for a domestic wall in Gordon’s Bay and a Regional Award for a vintage wall in Stellenbosch.
Regional Awards won by Klapmuts Concrete |
Retaining wall creates garden space |
The competition is held biannually, this being the 13th event since its inception in 1986. CMA director Hamish Laing says the aim of the competition is to promote excellence and innovation in the use of precast concrete: “It also serves to highlight the significant role that CMA member companies are playing in the provision of community housing, educational buildings, access to fresh water, improved sanitation, roads, innovative infrastructural products and eco-friendly construction practice.”
Holger Rust, founder of Terraforce, agrees that the award winners demonstrated excellent awareness of aesthetic values and environmental concerns that are imperative to the concrete retaining wall industry:
“Appreciation for aesthetic values has only started to grow in the last few years. Consequently, while many new commercial and public buildings can easily compete with developed-world standards, the aesthetic values and standards displayed in the landscape measures around these buildings, often do not.
Retaining wall planted with indigenous plants |
Regional Award in the vintage category |
“This is possibly due to the fact that the value of landscaped grounds is not appreciated enough, consequently the cheapest retaining solutions are often specified and sometimes with disastrous results.”
He adds that in South Africa past trends have been to specify the more cost-effective open-face, loosely-landscaped method of CRB wall construction, whereas currently it is becoming more popular to build steeper split-face (or rock-face), composite walls without water-guzzling landscaping: “This requires more sophisticated design input, which Terraforce has been well equipped to provide for the past 30 years.
“Terraforce also combines more advantages than any of the other systems: relatively light weight for transport, interlocking on both planes – horizontally and vertically, reversible to display smooth round-face or split straight-face, fully plant supportive, has a closed vertical surface structure for proper compaction of backfill and prevention of backfill erosion, the wall angle can vary to suit site conditions, and it can be filled with soil, gravel or concrete as designed by the engineer.”