Terraforce South Africa’s hollow core concrete blocks were utilised to create a mechanically stablised earth feature in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Construction Review explores how this ‘feat’ was achieved.
It’s just hard to ignore the hollow core, plant friendly concrete retaining wall system at the recently unveiled Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Resplendent in its retaining earth functionality, the hollow-core design of the interlocking blocks allows plants to become a part of the ‘green’ wall. Ultimately, a sustainable, yet durable green wall has been created through water wise plants and a good irrigation system.
Departure from the ‘norm’
The most obvious observation is that the retaining wall design is a unique variation from the norm. Terraforce’swall design innovative façade provides a plant supportive pocket that could also accommodate an efficient, easy maintenance dripper irrigation system. Out of these pockets, water-wise plants will eventually drape over the side of the block, softening the near vertical concrete surface with curtains of greenery.
Moreover, the total area, nearly half has been dedicated for gardens and landscaping including a ‘healing garden’ with bright flowering shrubs, herbs and medicinal plants. The use of natural light, greenery and healing landscape are aimed at offering a high level of indoor air quality, reducing noise and creating a pleasant environment.
Breathtaking
The retaining wall is so breathtaking that Cape Town based founder of Terraforce, Holger Rust, was short of words to capture his fascination when he visited the site in February 2015. “This must be the most efficient irrigation system ever. The exposed pipe is hidden by the plants (portulacariaafra) within 3 months. Each plant has a dripper and water provision for each plant can be accurately controlled with a timer and wastage of the precious resource is reduced to a minimum. Further the system is extremely maintenance friendly and repairs are a breeze,” he recounts.
The specifier’s choice
Asked how Terraforce’s retaining wall came to be used in such a high profile project, Rust says it was a decision that the project team arrived during procurement. He explains that when looking for building materials for landscaping, without batting an eyelid, the Italian architects and engineers, Studio Altieri International recommended the South African developed Terraforce hollow core, plant friendly concrete retaining wall system. In the UAE and the region, the Terraforce hollow core is manufactured under licence by Consent LLC.
The team
The dedicated team behind the interlocking wall innovation includes Bryan Newby, Namibian based specialist Terraforce installer, Simon Knutton, Johannesburg based consulting engineer with extensive experience in designing Terraforce walls, and the input from the Terraforce head office in Cape Town. Meanwhile, the contract is progressing impressively, with the retailing wall concrete intact unrivalled in its prominence.
Side Bar
Construction meets healing
The Al Jalil Children’s Specialty Hospital is an initiative of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai. Through combining innovative aspects of design and construction, its scope goes beyond serving children.
Says Al Maidoor, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA): “The hospital will be the first-of-its-kind facility in the region offering super-specialty and multi-spectrum pediatric care. It will provide pediatric services from newborns to 16 year olds and will offer all necessary pediatric services under one roof for the children of the UAE and the region.”
