When UD Trucks, Kraaifontein, South Africa, needed a solution for heavy storm water flow in an area with a very high water table in summer and winter, an attenuation pond was proposed, lined with 2158 Terraforce L11 blocks to deal with the many pressures working in and around the pond. (more…)

Presenting a stunningly eye-catching front yard/verge transformation with Terraforce® Terracrete™ permeable grass pavers by Tim Coote, Marmion, Perth, Western Australia. Blocks made locally by The Block Makers, Geraldton, Western Australia. (more…)

Terraforce delves into Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavers (PICP) systems early on

The trend to counter the exponential growth of sealed trafficable surfaces in urban areas started to take root around 1980, possibly even a few years earlier. Research on that subject was conducted by R. Masters and M. Singer 1982, Berlin Waterworks 1984, S.Borgwardt 1993, B. Shackel 1996 and many others. (more…)

Since most retaining walls are semi-impervious, which means water cannot easily pass through the wall itself, efficient drainage is crucial. When drainage goes unaddressed, hydrostatic pressure can build up behind the wall and cause damage such as bulging or cracking, or even collapse. (more…)

During the drought in 2017, the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) Bellville Campus announced that all their existing green spaces were being irrigated with recycled water that is collected and pumped into an on-site lake. In August 2020 – to comply with City of Cape Town’s by-laws and regulations for storm-water management – this lake was extended and upgraded to increase the capacity of the existing retention pond as well as refurbish the existing outlet and inlet structures. (more…)

Looking back

It’s been a tough year. Getting through hard lockdowns and building industries at standstill has been challenging, however we can thankfully announce that sales have stabilised and mostly returned to pre-lockdown levels. Some regions even presented with an increase in sales. (more…)

Why Terracrete?

Terracrete hard lawn blocks hold many benefits for landscape designers. From an aesthetic point of view, they are very versatile – a grass driveway, a rustic gravel driveway or an attractive pattern of pavers can provide the finishing touch to a residence or development that is looking to stand out. In addition, permeable grass pavers can add a parklike or pastoral feel to many areas that normally require hard paving, while providing effective storm water management and permeability at the same time.

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Terracrete, manufactured locally and internationally by Terraforce licensed manufacturers, is a multipurpose and cost-effective eco-surface paving block system, which is exactly what attracted the Mossel Bay Municipality to this proudly South African product for their plans to formalise open stormwater channels and create vehicle strip roads with a suitable grass block. (more…)

Over 79 000 precast concrete Terracrete grass blocks, manufactured by Terraforce licensee, Klapmuts Concrete, have been used to line a 6.5m wide section of 1.8km stormwater drainage channel next to what will become the Vlakkeland low-cost housing estate in a peri-urban area on the outskirts of Paarl, Western Cape.

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While the most critical contributor to the success of any segmental retaining wall (SRW) will always remain detailed planning and competent workmanship, planting will transform a functional structure into an eco-friendly environment that can create a dazzling display of colour, scent and texture. Add to that the possibility of drought and water restrictions, it is obvious that planting a retaining wall should not be taken lightly. (more…)

Solving problems – Terracrete eco-surfaces help drain and filter water at Langrug informal settlement, Franschhoek

In an interview with Future Cape Town in June 2016, Shannon Royden Turner, director at Actuality states: “We’re stuck in a paradigm of not even realising we’re part of nature”. And she is right. (more…)

Permeable storm water channels

The days of slapping concrete and asphalt down to construct walkway, driveway or storm water channels may be numbered. Commercial properties, public spaces, and residential developments have upped the standard on what they require from a paved surface.

Terracrete, manufactured locally and internationally by Terraforce licensees, is a versatile eco-surface hard lawn block that is widely accepted and was introduced to the South African market by Terraforce in 2002. Contact us for more information on the Terracrete Blocks. (more…)

Retaining walls are often used to create more usable, durable areas for building homes and roads on land that would otherwise be inaccessible. They also lend themselves well as a cost-effective and versatile method for creating building platforms, access steps and road support for low cost housing, or as in this case, relocating informal settlers to new IRDP houses made with CRB blocks. (more…)

Since June this year, residents of Strand and Somerset West will have access to wide selection of health services, following the opening of a new private hospital in the region. The R400m, 100-bed Busamed Paardevlei Private Hospital in Strand is the first of four hospitals to open in the country. (more…)

The days of slapping concrete and asphalt down to construct a paved parking lot, driveway or storm water channel are numbered, time for a change – ecosurfaces. Commercial properties, public spaces, and residential developments are demanding a higher standard on what is required from a paved surface. (more…)

Storm water management with attenuation Ponds: In SA, Municipal by-laws require that storm water run-off at new property developments are channeled into attenuation ponds to prevent erosion, flooding and blocking of storm water systems.

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Bigger cities mean bigger concrete surfaces, which in turn leads to reduced natural infiltration of rain water. And this is not something we can ignore, says Rachel Wray Thompson, Chicago-based architect and LEED Accredited Professional: “While asphalt and concrete have been the go-to outdoor surfaces for years, they really have very few benefits other than being one of the least expensive options.”

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Decorton (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town based retaining wall contractor specializing in Terraforce earth retaining products, was appointed sub-contractor for all retaining walls during extensive up-grade work at L’Ormarins, a prestigious wine estate in the Western Cape area. The end result is a very pleasing noisebarrier, and blends in nicely with the surrounding environment.

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