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
Tons of urbanite available!
Before
During
After
After staining with Iron Sulphate
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
February 19th, 2007 at 6:11 pmDear Terra Nova,
March 30th, 2007 at 9:53 pmI’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
[...] out these examples from Terra Nova in Santa Cruz, [...]
April 8th, 2007 at 9:04 pm[...] 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 [...]
May 27th, 2007 at 8:15 pmIs the patio sealed? If so, with what?
Thanks!
June 13th, 2007 at 8:14 amI 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.
July 22nd, 2007 at 9:47 amThanks,
Robin
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.
August 14th, 2007 at 11:22 am[...] 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 [...]
February 16th, 2008 at 4:07 pmI 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!
March 30th, 2008 at 6:49 amI want to share a project I did reusing broken concrete…
April 4th, 2008 at 6:46 amThis 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/
[...] 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 [...]
September 1st, 2008 at 2:19 pmGreat pictures! We are building a wall and want to re-use. Where should I look for used concrete?
November 14th, 2008 at 12:18 amI 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?
March 2nd, 2009 at 12:13 pmHey, The patio looks great!
May 25th, 2009 at 6:39 pmI am also interested in staining the concrete with Iron Sulphate.
How did you do it? Where do you get it? Thanks
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
May 26th, 2009 at 11:34 amhi,
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
July 16th, 2009 at 3:41 pmI found your site by a random google search, good stuff! keep up the good job!
December 14th, 2009 at 5:23 pmDo 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
December 30th, 2009 at 6:23 pm