Week 5 – Structures: Retaining Walls, Reinforcement & Tension Systems

• Overview

This week introduced key structural principles within landscape architecture, focusing on retaining walls, reinforced systems, and tensile (fabric) structures. The lecture explained how structures are designed to safely transfer loads into the ground and remain stable under different forces.

It also highlighted the relationship between landscape design and engineering, showing how elements such as walls, terraces, and canopy structures require both aesthetic and

structural consideration.

• Key Learning

A key takeaway from this session is that all structures must safely transfer loads to the ground, ensuring stability and preventing failure.

The lecture highlighted that:

• Structures are designed to resist forces such as weight, pressure, and movement

• Different materials behave differently, for example:

  • Concrete is strong in compression but weak in tension

  • Steel reinforcement bars (rebar) are used to resist tensile forces

• Structural design must consider both safety and long-term performance

This reinforces that landscape elements are not purely visual, but must function structurally.

• Retaining Walls & Reinforcement

The session introduced different types of retaining walls, which are used to hold back soil and prevent collapse.

Key types include:

• Gravity walls – rely on their own weight for stability

• Cantilever walls – use reinforced concrete to reduce thickness and improve efficiency

• Reinforced soil walls – use materials such as geotextiles or steel bars to strengthen the soil

Retaining walls must be designed to resist:

• Sliding

• Overturning (rotation)

• Soil pressure and water pressure

This highlights the importance of combining material strength with ground conditions.

Structural behaviour of retaining walls and reinforcement systems

• Tension Structures

The lecture also explored tensile structures, which use tension rather than compression to create form.

Examples include fabric canopies supported by cables and masts, where:

• Forces are distributed through tensioned membranes

• Lightweight materials create large spans with minimal structure

• The form is directly influenced by structural behaviour

This relates closely to contemporary landscape design, where tensile systems are used for

shading and public space structures.

Tensile structures using fabric and cables to create lightweight forms

• Link to My Design

This lecture has been particularly relevant to my design proposal in Woolwich, as it has strengthened my understanding of how structural systems integrate within landscape architecture.

In my project, these principles can be applied through:

• The design of retaining edges around the pond, where changes in level require structural support

• The use of reinforced materials to ensure durability in high-use areas, such as the market space

• The development of tensile canopy structures, which align with my design concept and provide shelter for entrepreneurs and users

Overall, this session reinforced that successful landscape design must balance engineering principles with spatial and aesthetic considerations, ensuring that all elements are both functional and visually effective.