Curved, Short Retaining Wall In The Wild - February 2025

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Yesterday, I posted some details of the short, 26" (or so) tall gravity retaining wall that we'll need to build out this Spring in the backyard.  I talked about some of the details need sorting out (type/look of block) and others need to be finalized (straight run, vs. L-shape vs. curved wall).  

When I was out running one of the kids to their various activities, I stopped at a signal and noticed a retaining wall on one corner.  Below are a couple of photos.  They show that this wall is curved, includes a 'cap', but also includes a contrasting row of blocks at the top of the wall.    These blocks are smooth (not jagged fronts) and have no bevel on the corners.   That (smooth face) is in contrast to the example photo I posted yesterday.  

Retaining wall - gravity wall with contrasting color band at top - retaining wall out of block


I see (at the corner) three full blocks above grade and one partially below grade.  Those are (likely) 8" tall blocks, so this wall is 30-inches-or-so tall above grade (8+8+8+3.5+2.5 = 30).

The contrast band at the top provides a little bit of visual interest.  However....I wonder: do we want to draw someone's eye to a wall, or is it better for the wall to sort-of disappear? 

Location: Westmont, IL, USA

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