A picture filled, very visual presentation of the difference between hardscape type retaining walls and plantable retaining walls. A new product offering in the plantable wall market, referred to as the Living Retaining Wall that has the potential to move the niche into the mainstream is demonstrated and explained.

1. The Case for “Living” Retaining Walls and a Very Smart New Product That Will Transform the Niche Into the Mainstream

2. This is Hardscape and it is everywhere. Can “Living Retaining Walls” begin to overtake them as the mainstream, rather than the niche?

3. Solid concrete walls are not as easy on the eyes and they separate the landscape.

4. Living Retaining Wall Conventional Retaining Wall An aesthetically attractive alternative to conventional hardscapethat “is” the landscape.

5. Your eye goes right to the Living Retaining Wall in this picture, doesn't it.

6. Could you imagine a solid concrete wall here instead?

8. An LRW reduces “Heat Island” effect by growing over with vegetation, thus reducing and moderating fluctuations in temperatures at and near the structure.

9. An LRW is an additional stormwater management tool that helps reduce surface water runoff and filter pollutants from the water and air around it.

10. An LRW can be a key component in a sustainable site plan and signifies an awareness of the need to make a difference.

12. A 54 foot tall retaining wall hidden by specified vegetation! Not growing up from the bottom or down from the top ---- but from within the entire structure.

13. Living retaining walls are easy on the eyes.

14. Hardy natives offer various growth habits that obscure the lines of an improved area while restoring needed habitat.

15. The right plant in the right place can have awesome results that last.

16. Living Retaining Walls Minimize the Impact of Large Structures

18. An air filtration plant

19. A storm water management tool

20. An energy conservation tool

21. A low impact development tool

22. A capital savings tool

23. A habitat

24. A worker productivity tool

25. A public relations tool

26. A sales tool

28. Just planted with hardy vines and junipers. (1997)

29. Same wall after 3 years of growth. (2000)

30. Just planted with Sedum like a green roof would utilize. (1999)

31. Same wall after 2 years of growth. ( 2001)

32. Project Notes: These completed 35’ tall Reinforced Soil Slopes were spray seeded with hearty native plant material. Construction Phase (1998)

33. Project Notes: The vegetation will require NO maintenance and serves to minimize the impact of these large cost effective structures. Completed project the next year. (1999)

34. Roadway Slope Disappears into Habitat Before - in fall 1998 After – in spring 1999

35. The SmartSlope Living Retaining Wall System is the latest evolution of the retaining wall and it can be locally manufactured in markets around the world Until now the plantable wall niche has been serviced by only a few regionally available products

37. Drawing on proven, time tested concepts, SmartSlope is a synthesis and evolution of current modular, panel and plantable wall systems

39. SmartSlope is a small block modular system that has the precision and durability of wet-cast panel walls and large block systems

40. SmartSlope was designed from its inception to be planted so that the finished wall is reliably covered in vegetation

41. Large fill holding capacity and wide access give the designer maximum flexibility in plant selection – plants like it too

42. Our unique forming system ensures dimensional quality and repeatability worldwide so specifiers can design with confidence regardless of location

43. SmartSlope reinforces like a panel wall for greater precision, security and labor efficiency

45. Simple, reliable, mechanical attachment to reinforcement strips

47. Rather than the impact of standard concrete or the cost of internal color --- we stain the face to make it less noticeable before full grow out

48. Visual impact is greatly reduced by our inexpensive stain after installation

49. Large pocket provides for increased plant pallet such as these 1 gallon junipers

50. Plugs, seed and woody vegetation all thrive in the SmartSlope LRW environment

51. High fill volume allows native perennials to feel right at home

52. SmartSlope creates a vertical planting bed --- green-space, at an angle of inclination not possible otherwise

53. The modules are designed to promote the creation of green-space, then disappear into it.

54. The modules may be uniform but the planting plan gives every wall unique aesthetics.

55. Thank you for attending this Living Retaining Wall presentation! Please visit our website at smartslope.com for the most complete source of SmartSlope Information and the blog @ greenwallmojo.com for ongoing discussion of Trends in Living Structures.