Terra Nova Ecological Landscaping blog

07 Feb

Recycling in the landscape – reused concrete, affectionately known as urbanite.

One recent customer actually encouraged me to start a blog so we could document the sustainable landscape installation in their yard. Here you go!
Here is a project inspired by Terra Nova’s work.

We like Urbanite as an option for these reasons:

1) It’s a free material.
2) It’s recycled, so we capture all the embodied energy in the original concrete.
3) There’s no mining involved.
4) It’s versatile.
5) It lasts.

Finding urbanite

finding-urbanite.jpg

Tons of urbanite available!

tons-available.jpg

Before

urbanite-9.jpg

During

urbanite-3.jpg

urbanite-5.jpg

urbanite-6.jpg

After

urbanite-7.jpg

After staining with Iron Sulphate

urbanite-8.jpg

18 Responses to “Recycling in the landscape – reused concrete, affectionately known as urbanite.”

  1. 1
    Susan Wyche Says:

    Hi Ken,

    I love the process sequence for the urbanite patio. And the finished product is beautiful. I think the raised beds are also lovely. Nice job, and thanks for sharing!

    Susan Wyche

  2. 2
    Deatra Says:

    Dear Terra Nova,
    I’m in the beginning stages of taking a concrete slab and transforming it into a series of patios and walkways in our yard. My question is this: should I put down a weed barrier fabric as the first layer before putting down the next layer?Also, if we stain the concrete, can we do that after it’s already been put down?
    Thanks! Your work is beautiful!
    DC

  3. 3
    Depave.org » Excellent uses of busted concrete Says:

    [...] out these examples from Terra Nova in Santa Cruz, [...]

  4. 4
    Raised bed photo essay | Terra Nova Ecological Landscaping blog Says:

    [...] the possiblities. This from an ecological landscaping perspective, as you might have guessed. 1.) Urbanite = reused concrete, 2.) Recycled blocks and rocks, 3.) A wine barrel. 4.) Salvaged wood. 5.) Field stone. 6.) Old [...]

  5. 5
    ingrid martin Says:

    Is the patio sealed? If so, with what?

    Thanks!

  6. 6
    Robin Says:

    I have a question about cleaning the urbanite before staining. Can you enlighten me? I love what you have done by the way. i hope to recreate it in my scape.
    Thanks,
    Robin

  7. 7
    Amy Says:

    Can you point me to resources about staining with Iron Sulphate? How to do it? Where to find it? Thanks! I was inspire to make my own patio like this from your post. I posted on my blog about it today.

  8. 8
    Cobbing a cottage at small-scale Says:

    [...] on their cob kitchen for three months. I also helped my friend Dan with construction on his urbanite foundation, and doing light clay straw insulation on his second house. I’ve done bits of [...]

  9. 9
    Rebecca Says:

    I recently had to remove concrete and desire to use it in landscaping projects in my yard. However I am new at this type of work and need help. Could you please give me instructions on how to cut and shape it. I also need to know how to stain it with Iron Sulphate. Does the basic Lowe’s store carry the Iron Sulphate or where can I get it? I LOVE what you did with this; it meets my values of helping the environment while being frugal with my resources and it’s BEAUTIFUL!

  10. 10
    Tobiah Horton Says:

    I want to share a project I did reusing broken concrete…
    This links directly to the Landscape Architecture page of my site that shows the construction of stormwater control structures made out of reused concrete. Most is done with reused sidewalks but also used were a demolished foundation, and a “site ruin” that was cut into and planted with willows for stormwater uptake.
    http://www.tobiahhorton.com/pb/wp_af26a166/wp_af26a166.html?0.03734856841826689
    more photos at:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/16188315@N08/sets/72157603194009082/

  11. 11
    Cobbing a cottage | The Year of Mud: Building a cob house Says:

    [...] on their cob kitchen for three months. I also helped my friend Dan with construction on his urbanite foundation, and doing light clay straw insulation on his second house. I’ve done bits of [...]

  12. 12
    Alice Says:

    Great pictures! We are building a wall and want to re-use. Where should I look for used concrete?

  13. 13
    israel glick Says:

    I have done standard masonry work for the last 4 years. I prefer dry lay technique to mixing portland , when possible. I really like this iron sulfate stain . I currently have a project to rip out a 30 ft. long 34 inch high retaining wall made of pressure treated lumber. I thought of replacing it with a dry lay urbanite look . What size pieces are preferable, and how do I go about doing the iron sulfate stain? Can I do the stain just on the exterior sides when the wall is complete , or must I do it in advance?

  14. 14
    Amy Brain Says:

    Hey, The patio looks great!
    I am also interested in staining the concrete with Iron Sulphate.
    How did you do it? Where do you get it? Thanks

  15. 15
    Scott Jones Says:

    Hi, I followed your post on craigslist to here. beautiful work. I replied to you “Free” post regarding the urbanite. I would love to use it to build the retaining wall infront of my house. Do you have any information on how I might find this type of “urbanite” in my own area?

    The work you did is absolutely beautiful.

    Scott

  16. 16
    chris barber Says:

    hi,
    my small town in colorado is about to redo a huge amount of our sidewalks. i am looking for interested people in the country who need this material. i am on town council and if i get some response then i can make the argument to palletize and ship the newly made urbanite to private citizens for a fraction of the cost of flagstone.

    scott where are you and have you found any urbanite??

    please contact me at picaflor@centurytel.net if interested, thanks

  17. 17
    My Blog Says:

    I found your site by a random google search, good stuff! keep up the good job!

  18. 18
    Nancy Rude Says:

    Do you do work in the Sunnyvale area, or could you point me to someone you know who might work with my condo association (small, only 12 units, but lots of peripheral, water-guzzling landscape)to plan out and install hardscape?? Thanks, Nancy

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