Versalok

2005 VERSA-LOK DESIGN CONTEST WINNER IS A TEXTBOOK ON RETAINING WALL VERSATILITY

If there’s a feature that Scott Van Asten didn’t use in his winning entry in VERSA-LOK’s 2^nd Annual Design Contest, it probably hasn’t been invented yet. Curves, corners, tiered walls, stairs, freestanding walls and columns all are integrated in a stunning lakeside patio and entertainment area that brought home the $5,000 grand prize for Van Asten and his employer, Vosters Landscaping Inc. of Kaukauna, WI.

Located on the shores of Lake Winnebago in Menasha, WI, the project presented several challenges, says Van Asten. The homeowners wanted a large patio area adjacent to the house that overlooked—but didn’t obscure—the lake. In addition, because they entertain clients and have elderly parents, uniform steps and seating areas were major design considerations.

VERSA-LOK Weathered Mosaic was selected to complement the home’s genteel brick and natural stone exterior.

“With Mosaic, we could engineer the retaining walls for support, build integrated steps with a safe 2:1 ratio, and incorporate freestanding walls and columns throughout the project—all with one product that gave them a random-pattern appearance,” explains Van Asten.

Because of the slope of the property, the large patio required higher retaining walls. Two tiered walls were used rather than a single tall wall to visually break up the height, and a low, serpentine freestanding seat-wall with columns surrounds the outer perimeter of the patio.

Two sets of stairs were incorporated into the design. The primary stairs had to connect the upper and lower patios without blocking the lake view.

“The rise-to-run ratio dictated that a continuous set of steps needed to be integrated into the tiers of the retaining walls,” notes Van Asten. Rounding out the bottom steps and constructing inside and outside steps helped to break up the long run.

An unexpected challenge arose when a second set of stairs on the opposite side of the structure was requested by the homeowners after the project was begun.

“To make it look like part of the original design of the project, a lower-level area with a set of steps that wrapped around the outside of the retaining walls to a landing area was added,” says Van Asten. “A freestanding wall and columns were chosen for the safety barrier.”

Contest judges praised the project’s “commanding, classic look.”

“Weathered Mosaic was an excellent choice for this project,” said one judge. “Its vintage, random-pattern appearance matches the home’s historic style well, and the design makes a dramatic transition to the lakeshore.”

Concluded Van Asten: “I’ve always been a big fan of VERSA-LOK. You can do everything with one system—from a basic retaining wall up to a high-end project like this one with steps, seat-walls, pillars and curves. Nothing beats it.”

The VERSA-LOK Mosaic product used in Van Asten’s project was manufactured by Bend Industries in Appleton and West Bend, WI.

Runner-up winners in the VERSA-LOK 2005 Design Contest were:

David M. Mastropietro, Surroundings Landscape & Design, Mechanicville, NY, for his design of retaining walls and outdoor dining area for the historic renovation of the Light House Restaurant in Scotia, NY. (Product from Dagostino Building Blocks, Schenectady, NY)

Tim Wenrich, Clearwater Landscapes, Centre Hall, PA, for his design of an elaborate series of tiered retaining walls with a waterfall and built-in outdoor kitchen at a residence in Tyrone, PA. (Product from R.I. Lampus Co., Springdale, PA)

Honorable Mention was awarded to:

Jeff Kurilla, Sticks and Stones Landscape Construction, Oakland, MD, for an extensive residential project in Oakland featuring a pool, waterfall, fireplace and patio. (Product from R.I. Lampus Co., Springdale, PA)

Visit www.versa-lok.com/primarysite/contestwinner.htm for photos of the winning projects.

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Karl Bremer

Writer/Editor

VERSA-LOK Retaining Wall Systems

6348 Hwy. 36 Blvd., Ste. 1

Oakdale, MN 55128

800-770-4525

651-773-7493 (direct)