They're used in all sorts of civil engineering works, like here:
And this is a particularly nifty use, where they form run-off channel for torrential water:
Still on a watery theme, here they're being used to form lagoons in a tidal bay:
But the gabion is breaking out -- here it is, forming high walls around recycling bins:
... and here as a decorative feature, holding up a sign.
That contrast, between the rustic stones and the sharp metal, is also used in landscaping:
And increasingly gabions are being used for the structural bits of seats and benches:
I particularly like this one:
But I also love this next one (apologies it's such a small image -- but I had to include it anyway), where the gabions are used to form the structure and the steps of a swimming pool:
And gabions are now moving into buildings, like this:
And here's a delightful example from the campus of the University of East London, set in a rather urban context which makes the gabions look really rather lovely:
One of the most spectacular architectural outings for them so far has been at a California winery:
Here, Swiss big cheeses Herzog & De Meuron have used them to create an extraordinarily powerful structure:
The gabions fit beautifully into this agri-industrial landscape:
But inside, where light shines through, they have a much lighter, lace-like appearance:
In other parts of the winery the gabions make the structure seem as if it is growing naturally out of the landscape -- or, at least, has some sort of elemental connection with it:
I think that's spectacular, but my favourite use is rather more public-spirited:
This is a library and cultural centre in the Colombian city of Villanueva:
This is not one of the wealthiest places in Colombia, and the gabions form a very economical way of making monumental architecture -- something that suits public buildings rather well.
The sunshine lifts what, in northern Europe, might be a drab appearance into something rather lovely.
Who'd have thought something with such humble origins would form such a delightful weapon in the architect's armoury?
7 comments:
I do always love your architecture posts.
I started my work career in civil engineering and thought what nifty innovation the gabion is. From this post it's obvious the gabion has gained prestige. Thanks for the "update".
Aside from aesthetic considerations, the traditional structural use of gabions, as exemplified by your first few photos, has always confused me.
How do they derive their strength? Isn't it entirely based upon the tensile strength of the enclosing wire? Doesn't that make it all rather precarious?
Oh, sweet Cheesus, what won't you touch on at your blogs? And you had to have a dozen photos to illustrate for us?
That's why you are in our blog roll.
Well now, actually, you are not in our blog roll. Not this blog at least. Not yet. But you will be. As soon as I am done catching up around here I will head back and update your addy in the blog roll. In good time.
Love the posts.
Mike
Gabions are OK until the metal mesh has corroded. Then, disaster.
Viollet, that's what I thought. So are they only used in places where they will be certain to be renewed during routine maintenance? For example, the use with roadside cliffs and similar.
Re: gabions & corrosion: The point about corrosion makes sense. However, I can point to an application in a full flowing stream in Pennsylvania in the US where the gabions have been in use for decades. Will they corrode? Yes, in the long run. But then that’s why they are required to be galvanized or made of stainless steel. In the US application I’m referencing, the application has so far saved the road from being washed out. Gabions are certainly not “perfect” in hostile environments and only buy time. One trusts that engineers remember that. Outside of submersion, I’m still amazed at the potential that the post shows. Jeff.
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