Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1500470
52 | J U N E 2 0 2 3 Landscape Products Terraforce, the South Africa-based provider of the original, reversible, hollowcore retaining block, continues to methodically develop its presence in Canada. Elsewhere in the world it has enjoyed steady expansion over the last decade, and as a result there are a host of examples on the many cre- ative ways the blocks can be used. Case in point: at the Al Jalila Children's Hospital in Dubai, the incorporation of plantable rows into a noise barrier was achieved by reversing the blocks – round side facing outwards – every third row. Simon Knutton of Knutton Consulting in Johannesburg was credited for providing this wall design. As with Belden, versatility is a key to Terraforce's success. For example, interlocking Terraforce 4x4 step blocks can easily be used for stairs or retain- ing walls: they are simply laid on their sides to form steps and filled with a weak mortar mix for stability. And with equal ease, the blocks can be transformed into seating arrangements (large-scale examples of this include curved school seating arenas). Holger Rust, head and founder of Terraforce, says, "Given their complexity, the design and con- struction of many of these structures must be undertaken by a professionally registered engi- neer. So, to facilitate the process and add value, we developed our Maxiwall Pro design software, which is freely available to the market." Terraforce has also established a library of technical manuals that can be downloaded from the company's website. "However, what we really want to bring across are the endless possibilities to environmentally engi- neer beautiful structures," Rust adds. Brock White Construction Materials has a long history in Canada and the U.S. of using well-estab- lished brand products for landscaping/erosion control projects, in addition to the company's expertise in water- proofing and building envelope construction. "Among our many suppliers is Basalite and Mutual Materials," says Brock White's director of marketing, Darci Smart. Both of these companies provide a comprehen- sive range of products for all outdoor landscaping work. Basalite Concrete Products offers a com- plete line of versatile pavers well-known for quality, beauty, and functional applications; it also provides contemporary, traditional, and engineered retain- ing walls, plus outdoor living kits that enable indoor elements such as kitchens and fireplaces to be part of an exterior landscape design. Laura Malashevsky, Basalite's technical sales rep- resentative, reports that new products continue to emerge from the company's NCMA-certified plant in Western Canada. "Rhombus is a 100-millimetre- thick paver with a unique diamond shape – in fact, we're the only manufacturer in the west to provide this shape, which gives the appearance of movement and depth using neutral colours and hexagonal pat- terns." The substantial thickness of this paver makes it suitable for heavy-duty applications. Terraforce 4x4 step blocks retaining wall. P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E S Y T ER R A FO RC E 416-932-0622 cmtrees.com Be Good to Your Trees. info@cmtrees.com - Air Spade Root Exploration - Root Pruning - Tree Removals & Pruning - Arborist Reports & Tree Inventories - Consulting Arborist - Tree Preservation Plans Full Service Arborist Support for all of Your Project Needs.