Hardscape - Scholar

Hardscape Materials and Installation
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Fall 2011
Overview
Virginia Tech students enrolled in the Hardscape
Materials and Installations course were to complete three
projects from start to finish over the time of one
semester: a dry stack wall for a raised garden bed, a patio
hardscape/landscape, and an arbor shading. Under the
supervision of industry experts, the projects were
completed successfully in good time.
Paver Hardscape/Landscape
•
•
•
•
Aesthetically Pleasing
Durable
Porous Paving/Reduce Erosion
Shelters Unsightly Areas (Heat Pumps)
•
•
•
•
•
Materials:
Crusher-run stone
#9 stone
Maroon and Grey Pavers
Concrete
Paver Hardscape/Landscape Patio:
Beginning
The first step to constructing the paver patio was to
excavate the site at a depth of nine inches. The subgrade was cut and leveled to slope away from the
building for proper rain run-off.
Paver Hardscape/Landscape:
In the process
Crusher-run stone was then laid out
above the subgrade and tamped. An
inch of #9 stone was placed on top of it
and screeted. Pavers were then cut and
laid out in soldier course, flagstone, and
herring bone patterns. Edge constraints
were made with concrete.
Paver Hardscape/Landscape Patio:
Final Product
Plants were planted in place among
the pavers, sand swept to fill in any
spaces between the pavers, and then
tamped into place. The final product
is an aesthetically pleasing green
growing patio.
Dry Stack Wall
•
•
•
•
To be used as a raised garden bed
Aesthetically Pleasing
Local Produce/Edible Landscape
Best use of Sun Space
•
•
•
•
•
•
Materials:
Boulders
Crusher-run stone
#57 stone
Filter fabric
Topsoil
Dry Stack Wall: Beginning
The first step to construct the dry wall was to
prepare the base. This was done by measuring and
outlining the perimeter of the wall. The footers
were excavated then filled and compacted with
crusher-run stone as the foundation.
Dry Stack Wall: Process
Boulders were put into place
and supported with #57
stone. Work was inspected
after each boulder was put
into place to ensure evenness
of each row and height.
Dry Stack Wall: Completed
Filter fabric was placed above the supporting #57
stone, and topsoil was laid. This helps to ensure no
soil is lost and proper drainage will pursue. The area
was then cleaned around the site. The wall is ready
to be transplanted.
Arbor Shading
• Aesthetically Pleasing
• Saves Energy (Passive Solar/Shading)
• Wildlife Friendly
•
•
•
•
Materials:
Kiln treated lumber
Screws
Tools for cutting and smoothing the lumber
Arbor: Beginning
The first step to constructing the arbor was to measure
where the footers were to be places. Next is to excavate
the footers and fill them in with concrete. They were then
secured with a mounting bracket to support the arbor.
Afterwards, the lumber to be used was inspected,
measured, and cut precisely.
Arbor: Assembly
For each section of the arbor,
lumber was measured, cut, sanded,
and secured with screws. When all
the posts and beams were
assembled, they were then raised
up and braced together with a cross
beam until properly secured.
Arbor: Final Result
After each section is properly
secured together, 1 x 1’s were
screwed above structure and cross
beams were removed. The arbor
was then stained and sealed,
making the final product
aesthetically pleasing.
About Me
My name is Amaal Alsharkawi. I’m a fourth year student at Virginia
Tech pursuing a degree in Landscape Contracting with a focus on
design and build. I’m from Broad Run, Virginia in Fauquier County.
I’ve lived and worked on a farm all my life working in greenhouses
and open field in a family business with my dad, called Sharkawi
Farm. I’ve interned with Ruppert Landscape, a commercial
landscaping company, and experienced the whole of landscaping
from maintenance, enhancements, business development,
management, estimates, and design. I plan to work more in the green
industry and pursue a master’s in degree in landscape architecture.