Ecology

Over the past decade landscape architects have begun making new use of an old engineering technology. Metal piers have been used by civil engineers for the past half-century in workaday roles such as anchoring guy wires and underpinning foundations. Though these applications may not stir the blood of most landscape architects, in their recent incarnation-as foundations for boardwalks-metal piers cannot help but be of interest. Because of their remarkably low environmental impact, these piers enable small structures to be built in very sensitive environments that would not otherwise be permittable. They enable parts of sites that might be thought of as inaccessible, such as dunes and wetlands, to be used and enjoyed without being destroyed. In addition, metal piers are faster and simpler to install than conventional piers, and make conforming to ADA and local building codes a little simpler. They also last longer than conventional piers.

Though metal piers are more expensive than conventional wood or poured-in-place concrete foundations, in tough sites their expense is offset by savings in the shortened permitting process. And they have a promising future in other landscape construction applications.

…To read the entire article, subscribe to LAM!