The Versatility of Gabion Walls, From Infrastructure to Urban Furniture

Widely used in infrastructure, gabion walls are structures made of mesh metal cages filled with stones. These permeable walls use galvanized steel wire to withstand outdoor conditions. 

The Versatility of Gabion Walls, From Infrastructure to Urban Furniture - More Images+ 57

REX House / FGMF Arquitetos. Image © Rafaela Netto

They are flexible retaining walls that stabilize slopes and seek to improve the firmness between masses of earth and rock, avoiding phenomena such as landslides. 

Restauración Paisajística del Vertedero de Residuos de la Vall d'en Joan / Batlle i Roig Arquitectes. Image © Jordi Surroca

The pieces are stacked one by one creating a unit, or wall; each cage is attached to the other by a wire or small steel handle. In general, there are three types of gabion indicated for works with specific characteristics: box, mattress, and bag. Each varies in shape and measurement, but are made up of similar materials.

Eduardo Souza

In recent years, gabion walls have become widely used for a number of functions. Other than it's original purpose — a retaining wall — the structure has been used as a wall for buildings, urban furniture, among other things. Below, we've compiled a list of projects that adopt this structural system. 

Canine Brigade / TRANSFORM + DS architecture

Canine Brigade / TRANSFORM + DS architecture. Image © Julien Lanoo

Archeopark Pavlov / Architektonicka kancelar Radko Kvet

Archeopark Pavlov / Architektonicka Kancelar . Image © Gabriel Dvořák

Clifton House / Malan Vorster Architecture Interior Design

Clifton House / Malan Vorster Architecture Interior Design. Image © Adam Letch

Bosque Altozano Club House / Parque Humano

Casa REX / FGMF Arquitetos

REX House / FGMF Arquitetos. Image © Rafaela Netto

BAH Restaurante Parkshopping / Tellini Vontobel Arquitetura

BAH Restaurante Parkshopping / Tellini Vontobel Arquitetura. Image © Cristiano Bauce

Hermana República / Muñoz Arquitectos

Hermana República / Muñoz Arquitectos. Image © Marcos Mendizabal

Restauración Paisajística del Vertedero de Residuos de la Vall d'en Joan / Batlle i Roig Arquitectes

Restauración Paisajística del Vertedero de Residuos de la Vall d'en Joan / Batlle i Roig Arquitectes. Image © Jordi Surroca

Metropolitan Park South Access / Polidura Talhouk Arquitectos

Metropolitan Park South Access / Polidura Talhouk Arquitectos. Image © Marcos Mendizabal

Originally published on October 11, 2018

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                  Cite: Souza, Eduardo. "The Versatility of Gabion Walls, From Infrastructure to Urban Furniture" [A versatilidade dos muros de gabião: de obras de infraestrutura a mobiliários urbanos] 11 Nov 2019. ArchDaily. (Trans. Montano, Zoë) Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/903689/the-versatility-of-gabion-walls-from-infrastructure-to-urban-furniture> ISSN 0719-8884

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