Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1535861
J U N E 2 0 2 5 | 23 Landscape Products P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E S Y K E YS TO N E R E TA I N I N G WA L L S YS T EM S In a similar vein, the products from Keystone Retaining Wall Systems are trusted by engineers, architects, and contractors to provide the best site solutions for commercial, municipal, industrial, transportation/DOT, and residential applications. These walls and other systems are versatile and easy to install, meaning even a do-it-yourselfer with a little patience can create small- to mid-size retaining walls – as well as freestanding elements such as fire pits, columns, outdoor kitchens, and planter boxes. Meanwhile, the company's patio stones and pavers are offered in a wide range of styles, sizes, and textures, making them perfect not only for patios but also pool decks, walkways, and other applications. In terms of future potential for the landscape products category in Canada, one company that is attempting to make inroads in this country, while enjoying considerable acclaim in its home country of South Africa, is Terraforce. In fact, the company has become famous around the world for its original, reversible, hollowcore retaining block. Terraforce's founder, Holger Rust, continues to offer the Canadian market access to these blocks and other products, noting that most recently his company won two awards at the 2024 Concrete Manufacturers Association's (CMA) Digital Awards. The competition is judged on product and application excellence in two groups: aesthetic excellence and engineering excellence. Terraforce's first winning entry was for Terminal Boulevard, Kempegowda International Airport at Bengaluru, India. Approximately 1.2 kilometres of this road was lined with Terraforce retaining walls on both sides, covering a total surface area of 9,000 square metres. Various retaining wall options were initially considered, but the Bangalore International Airport Limited project team chose Terraforce for several reasons, including aesthetics. The blocks also allowed the planting of flowers and other vegetation, and the inclusion of Hume pipes facilitated the planting of trees. In addition, less soil excavation was required than what would have been needed for either reinforced concrete or reinforced earthen walls. The other CMA win was for the Dubai Silicon Oasis in the United Arab Emirates. These long, Terraforce L16 rock face retaining walls were up to six- metres high, necessary due to the substantial differences in levels on site, and to provide access to a leisure area on ground level, with 4-by-4 Step block access stairs and ramps leading to the residences at the top level. For additional stability the blocks were concrete-filled and reinforced with rebar, and double block rows with the rock face finish facing outwards on either side were used for some of the vertical walls adjoining the two grand staircases and ramps. In total, 41,100 Terraforce L16 and 2,000 Terraforce 4-by-4 Step blocks were installed on site. A T E R R A F O R C E R E T A I N I N G B L O C K S G R E E N W A L L L S S I N C E 1 9 7 9 Rock face, Round face, Flat face, Stairs. WWW.TERRAFORCE.COM SOLD OUT OF ABBOTSFORD, BC B Y T R I S TA R B R I C K & B LO C K Tel: +1 778 908 1299 SOLD OUT OF CHEMAINUS, BC BY BROWNSEY BLOCK Tel: +1 250 246 4393 Stay in touch!