Kent Terrace, Taradale

Brief

A residential property in Taradale, Napier, on sloping ground. The owners wanted level usable space — for terraces, planting and access — across what was previously a single rolling slope.

Approach

EQSE designed a timber retaining wall solution stepped down the slope. Wall length, height and the number of levels were set by the slope profile, the soil type, drainage requirements, and how the walls would sit visually within the landscape. Seismic earth pressures, the design driver in Hawke’s Bay, were carried through to the timber pole sizing and the embedment depths.

Outcome

The completed wall system gives the property terraced level areas at several heights, suitable for planting, paths and informal outdoor living.

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Why a structurally designed retaining wall

A professionally designed retaining wall is sized using calculations for soil weight, slope, surcharge and seismic action — not by rule of thumb. For any wall over the council-exempt height, this matters: drainage, footing or pole embedment, durability of timber against ground contact, and compliance with local body regulations. If you’re considering a retaining project, get in touch and we’ll help work out what’s right for your site.