Architectural Gabions – 5 Reasons Why They Should Be a Part of Your Next Project!
Gabion wall architecture is a long-lasting, adaptable construction built by inserting rocks into perforated metal boxes.Why should you use gabion architecture in your next project?
Gabion architecture are long-lasting, multifunctional, and environmentally friendly construction that doesn’t need a foundation, is expandable, decreases carbon footprints, and has an attractive appearance, making it a good option for urban construction projects.
30-Second Summary:
- Architectural Gabions are essentially wall-like structures created by filling stones in mesh metal boxes.
- The cages are designed using galvanized and powder coated steel wires to withstand various conditions, both weather-related as well as environmental.
- Gabion walls can be easily built to last by ensuring that the size of the base and the depth of the toe are sufficient to hold the height and spread of the wall.
- Gabions can also be used for creating fences, constructing building sidings and landscaping.
If this is the first time you are coming across the term Architectural Gabion, let us define it for you! Architectural Gabions are essentially wall-like structures created by filling stones in mesh metal boxes. The cages are designed using galvanized and powder coated steel wires to withstand various conditions, both weather-related as well as environmental. Each box can be joined with other boxes just like lego blocks, bound by a steel spiral to create a unit. Hence, by design, gabion walls can be as small or extensive as you want them to be.
Now that we are clear regarding what architectural gabions are, let us understand what they bring to the table. Conventionally, gabions were used to create retaining walls in a bid to stabilise slopes, prevent soil erosion and avert hazardous phenomena like landslides. However, the ever-evolving field of architecture discovered that gabions, when designed more aesthetically, can also be used for creating fences, constructing building sidings and landscaping!
5 Reasons why Gabion Walls Deserve your Attention
If you are wondering as to why you should make use of architectural gabions in your next project, we can help you with not 1 or 2, but 5 compelling reasons to do so. These include –
Architectural Gabions Do Not Require A Foundation
Now, this is something that will not only help you save a fair amount of time and effort, but will also help bring down the cost of construction. Instead of the conventional concrete foundation, Gabion Walls can easily be simply built to last by ensuring that the size of the base and the depth of the toe are sufficient to hold the height and spread of the wall.
The Gabion wall requires no concrete foundation, the wall toe restricts the gabion wall from displacing, and the depth of the toe needs to increase as the wall increases in height and width. When building on softer soils, both the size of the base and the depth of the toe needs to be increased to spread the load over a wider area.
Gabion Walls are Scalable
As mentioned earlier, gabion walls are made by filling galvanised and powder coated steel boxes with stones. To create a structure of choice, these cages can be conveniently stacked one above the other making these walls scalable to an exceptional degree. To make sure the structure is resistant to external forces, the cages are bound to one another using steel spirals.
Architectural Gabions help Reduce Carbon Footprint
Did you know? A whopping 40% of the world’s raw material is used by the construction industry. An even more harrowing fact is that the construction sector is responsible for 60% of the world’s greenhouse emissions. Fortunately, gabion features help bring down CO2 emissions to a large extent and are much more environmentally friendly🌳 than traditional concrete walls.
Yet another way in which gabion walls excel on the environmental front is that they can be used to grow vegetation, without taking up any extra space or even effort!
Gabion Walls are Exceptionally Versatile
Gabions are more or less like lego blocks, and therefore when it comes to creating some amazing structures Gabions prove to be more than just helpful. Right from creating walls to fence posts, from tables to benches, from staircase railings to garden strip boundaries, Gabions can be used to create a wide array of outdoor features. Hence, if you are looking forward to giving a rustic stone theme to your project Gabions can be your best bet. And need we say, they will make sure that your home/office exterior looks absolutely unique!
Architectural Gabions are Aesthetically Pleasing
Gabion walls prove to be an eye-catching element in construction, especially when the interstitial spaces between the rock fill are used to breed life in the form of plants. Not only are these walls a far cry from the monotony of concrete walls, but they also elucidate the innovativeness and ingenuity of the architect and the property owner. All of this combined leaves an indelible mark on the onlooker, making these walls worth every penny spent over them!
We hope that you are now convinced of the unmatched benefits that gabion walls entail, and just how assertive can these be when it comes to flaunting your creative thinking! If you too want to make the most of this new-age construction feature, then don’t forget to check out A-1 Fence Products for one of the most dependable and cost-effective architectural gabion solutions in the market!
Key Takeaways
No Foundation Required: Saves time, energy, and cash.
Highly scalable: simple to expand as well as customize.
Eco-friendly: lowers CO2 emissions and promotes vegetation growth.
Versatile Applications: Suitable for walls, fences, tables, seats, and more.
Aesthetic appeal: Refers to design features that are unique and appealing.
Architectural Gabions FAQs
Are gabions affordable?
Short Answer – Yes, gabions can often prove to be cost-efficient.
Long Answer – Gabions used in large scale civil projects are rather inexpensive owing to the woven diamond wire. On the other hand, gabions used for architectural and design applications can prove to be somewhat costly due to the use of the 4mm welded panels used to create weld mesh type cages for a better aesthetic and increased durability.
What Type Of Rocks Are Used in Gabion Walls?
More often than not, basalt rocks are preferred to fill gabions. Thanks to their innate hardness and durability, these rocks can easily withstand the weight load that is inherent to gabion structures. That said smaller gabion structures can be filled with any stones of choice, based on their colour, texture, availability and pricing!
Which sized rocks should be used to create Gabion wall structures?
Our experts at A-1 Fence Products suggest filling gabion cages with rocks ranging in size from 75 mm to 150 mm. This ensures enhanced resistance and durability of the gabion walls.
How Long Do Gabions Last?
The lifespan of a gabion wall largely depends on the type of basket construction. Woven baskets made using 2.7mm wire usually do not last as long as the welded baskets manufactured using 4mm wire.
What are architectural gabions, and how are they built?
Architectural gabions are wall-like constructions made by filling mesh metal boxes with stone. These cages are constructed with galvanized and powder-coated wires of steel to endure a variety of climates and conditions in the environment. The boxes can be connected like Lego pieces with steel spiraling shapes, enabling the framework to be as large or small as needed.
Why don’t gabion walls need a regular foundation?
Gabion walls do not need a standard concrete foundation. They are designed to last by making sure the foundation size and toe depth are adequate to support the wall’s elevation and spread. The barrier toe limits relocation, and on weaker soils, the foundation and toe depths must be increased to distribute the load over a larger area.
How do gabion walls help to ensure environmental sustainability?
Gabion walls contribute to reducing the building market’s carbon footprint. They employ fewer raw materials than traditional construction processes, resulting in significantly lower CO2 emissions. Furthermore, gabion barriers can encourage vegetation development in the intervals between rocks, which increases their environmental benefits.
