Replacing Failing Walls at Aspen Home

THE CHALLENGE

In 2012, the owners of this beautiful Aspen, Colorado estate were faced with the very difficult task of repairing failed MSE retaining walls along the driveway that provides primary access to their 21,000 square foot (1951 square meter) home.

"Even a simple repair of the MSE block walls would have required massive excavation in order to reinstall the required geogrid under the driveway," the owner explained. "We examined virtually every possible approach to repairing or replacing the failed walls."

Redi-Rock gravity blocks were used to replace a failing MSE wall.

THE SOLUTION

The search for a better solution eventually led the owner to Redi-Rock. "The Redi-Rock wall was a fabulous solution on all accounts to a tough challenge: aesthetically, economically, and with regard to ease of installation," the owner explained.

Let's take a look at how Redi-Rock, from local Redi-Rock manufacturer Signature Stone, ticked all the boxes for this project:

• Aesthetics: The natural colors and textures of Redi-Rock's Ledgestone face blended beautifully with the natural stone and soil in the area, as well as with the other hardscaping on the property.

• Cost Savings: Constructing the new wall with the Redi-Rock gravity system reduced excavation, reduced export & import trucking fees, reduced over-burden disposal fees, and reduced aggregate purchased for backfill, resulting in a strong cost savings for the owner.

• Easy installation in difficult conditions: This property had many site challenges due to its extreme slopes. Utilizing a gravity wall to heights of 18 feet (5.5 meters) helped the contractor save valuable time and money by speed of installation. While one crew was demolishing the failed retaining wall, a second crew was preparing and installing the 60 inch (1520 millimeter) Redi-Rock base blocks. Construction on this wall was completed in just 23 days-all while keeping the driveway accessible.

Redi-Rock retaining wall showing matching aesthetics with surrounding area.

THE OUTCOME

"We completed the demolition and installation of the Redi-Rock wall in 23 days, far less time than anticipated and saving the client tens of thousands of dollars in winter conditions, equipment, and labor fees," explained Larry Custodio, President of Village Excavating, Inc.

The owner added: "The Redi-Rock wall provided an answer that allowed us to minimize the required excavation work at a fraction of the cost of other wall solutions. As a bonus, it looks outstanding and is a significant aesthetic upgrade from the prior MSE block walls. I could not be happier with the results."

Redi-Rock gravity walls in the Ledgestone texture provided the ideal solution for this private residence in Aspen, Colorado.

PROJECT DETAILS

Project: Aspen Residence #151 Engineer: Engineering Analytics, Inc. Manufacturer: Signature Stone Installer: Village Excavating, Inc. Location: Aspen, Colorado Year Built: 2012