6 Gleneaston Lawns, Leixlip, Co. Kildare
(01) 624 3134
086 600 9750

The Brief

The client brief was to build a retaining wall which would link the upper level of their garden to the lower area which was approximately 1.8m high. This would replace an existing sloped bank which was hard to maintain and not attractive. Additional planting was to be incorporated in the new design.Existing sleeper steps linking the 2 areas were also to be replaced with more permanent steps.

Challenge One

Challenge
To avoid the wall looking like a 2m high fort.

Solution

During the design process we decided to use Irish limestone as the face of the walls. The understated shades of grey would be more subtle than any lighter coloured stone. It was also decided to build two smaller retaining walls with planting space between them, rather than one large wall. The planting at the mid-level would then soften the look of the stone by trailing down over the lower wall and by growing up to screen parts of the upper wall.

Challenge Two

Challenge
The steps to the lower level which had to connect with, and complement the wall.
Solution
We used the same limestone to create the steps, as we had used in the wall, choosing large flat stones. In this way we could connect the steps right up to the wall. I also designed the steps to radiate out from the curve of the wall, thus connecting them physically and in the design.

Challenge Three

Challenge
The existing mature beech hedge was to be retained and more space for planting incorporated, yet it should be low maintenance as access wouldn’t be straightforward.
Solution
By building two smaller walls we created a planting space to allow for more colourful planting. To keep the area low maintenance we block planted with groups allowing little space for weeds to establish.