The History of Retaining Walls: From Ancient Civilizations to Modern Landscapes

The history of retaining walls is not to be retained; they’ve been around for thousands of years with no signs of stopping. In order to understand their function, appeal, and ideal use cases, it helps to look at their history and see where they came from. Read on for the history, current trends and uses, and the future of retaining walls. The History of Retaining Walls As previously mentioned, retaining walls have been in use for centuries. While their design has evolved from simple to more sophisticated structures, their purpose has remained the same: to prevent soil erosion, create space, and divert water. One of their most well-known uses was in Ancient Egypt, where they built Gabion-style retaining walls out of reeds to divert water from the Nile River into reservoirs and fields to help with farming and protect homes from flooding and soil erosion. Newgrange Carin, a 5,000-year-old Irish community, used retaining walls made of rounded stone with layered grass turf in between to reduce pressure on the walls. In terms of more recent history, the rapid expansion of the railway network in the 20th century made timber sleepers and ties readily available, which could be used to construct cribs. Cribs were a more affordable alternative to retaining walls, as they were quick and easy to assemble, though they did have height limitations. Current Retaining Wall Trends & Uses Currently, retaining walls are still used for the same purposes, though there is a slightly larger emphasis on making them more visually appealing. While retaining walls are still installed to help stop erosion and runoff, they can also provide integrated seating, terraced gardens, and an appealing addition to the ever-popular idea of outdoor living spaces. Recent trends in retaining wall design and construction include sustainability, efficiency, aesthetics, and improved performance. Sustainable materials, such as timber, concrete, steel, boulders, and gabion, are a big retaining wall trend. Along with being sustainable, these materials can provide a variety of aesthetics, from rustic, to natural, to modern. Elements of multi-functionality like built-in seating, drainage, or green walls are also popular, especially in small yards. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other smart technologies are also making their way onto the retaining wall construction scene. This tech analyzes vast amounts of data in real-time to predict soil behavior, optimize material use, and anticipate potential failures by using sensors. Because maintenance and repairs are so crucial for optimal retaining wall performance, you can extend the life of your wall by years by implementing smart technology. The Future of Retaining Walls The future of retaining walls includes more sustainability, improved efficiency, and even more multi-purpose designs. Recycled plastics, reclaimed wood, and even rammed earth will become popular materials due to their durability, sustainability, and alignment with the organic, natural aesthetic homeowners are leaning toward. Prefabrication and modularization will also grow in popularity as the panels being manufactured off-site reduce construction waste. Multi-functional outdoor living spaces also have a big appeal. Retaining walls with built-in seating not only provides permanent seating but also helps define an outdoor room. Also, retaining walls are being used to create sunken, outdoor sitting rooms with a firepit, similar to the indoor conversation pits of the 70s, except outside. Some innovations in retaining wall technology include water-repellent coatings that can help maintain stable soil moisture levels behind the walls while controlling erosion, extending the life of the wall. There have also been prototypes of smart walls with AI technology that monitors weather and moisture conditions to make real-time drainage decisions. Conclusion Overall, retaining walls are here to stay; if anything, they’re only going to become more commonplace as their functionality increases. Sustainability, waterproofing, and transformations in design practices are three things to look out for when designing future retaining walls. Now that you know the history, current trends, and predictions for future innovations, you can design a retaining wall that meets your landscape's needs.