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About Sean J Murphy, LA
Expertise
I can answer almost any question related to design, installation, pricing of landscaping and hardscaping. I am not a horticulturist though so I can not answer questions on pests or diseases of plants. I also can answer questions related to pools, water features, ponds, lighting, grading, drainage, walls, patios, decks and much more.
Experience
I have been doing landscaping since I was 8 years old. My family owned a nursery in Florida when I was a teen and I owned and operated several lawn and landscape companies over the years. I have since completed 6 years of in Landscape Architecture at Purdue University and have a Bachelors degree in Landscape Architecture. I have been practicing professionally for 13 years in Atlanta and the south east US. I have worked for some of the best and most well know firms and personalities in landscaping and my work has won many awards. I have worked for the likes of Disney, the 1996 Olympic games, and REIT Post Properties(Atlanta, Dallas, Austin, NY, Tampa, Orlando). I know many of the plants in Georgia and Florida plus surrounding states. I have passed the Georgia Landscape Architects Licensure Exam and can legally call myself a Landscape Architect Lisc. # 001156
I am currently the Department Manager of the Planning and Landscape Architecture Department of a local Multi-Disciplinary firm and used to own and operate Amenity Architects LLC. you may preview our work at www.amenityarchitects.com. My new employer is SoutheasternEngineering, Inc. see www.seenginering.com
I am also part owner in the family business Murphy's Garden Art also see at www.murphysgardenart.com.
Organizations
American Society of Landscape Architects,
Keep Smyrna Beautiful,
ULI,
Smyrna Downtown Development Authority,
Smyrna Downtown Task Force,
Publications
Landscape Architect and Specifier News,
Atlanta Homes Magazine,
Landscape Architecture Magazine,
Coastal Living, Magazine
Education/Credentials
Pinellas County Center for the Arts 1984 - 1988,
Bachelors Degree in Landscape Architecture - Purdue University, 1994,
Mike Lynn Graphics Workshop 1994,
University of Georgia Wetland Delineation Certification 1995,
Post University Mini MBA 2000,
Edinburgh College of Art - 1 year co-op 1993,
Intern Smallwood Reynolds Stewart and Stewart Architects Atlanta1993,
Awards and Honors
ASLA Merit Award 1994 Mined Land Project IN,
ACI 1st Place for Hardscape Design / Installation 1999 Biltmore Atlanta.
Coastal Living Idea House Design 2005/2006.
South Eastern Flower Show People's Choice Award for best garden design,
Many more!!! too many to list here
Past/Present clients
Georgia Governor Roy Barnes,
The State of Georgia,
City of Powdersprings,
City of Stockbridge,
Post Properties,
Bayfair Homes,
John Willis Homes,
Pulty Homes,
Serenbe Development,
Mayor of Smyrna-Georgia Max Bacon,
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You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Exterior Decorating > Landscaping & Design > Retaining wall replacement surrounding driveway
Landscaping & Design - Retaining wall replacement surrounding driveway
Expert: Sean J Murphy, LA - 9/2/2008
Question
Sean,
The railroad tie retaining wall holding up the asphalt driveway have rotted and collapsed. Height from base to top of the driveway ranges from 4-6 feet. I have removed the ties and want to construct a 2 terrace sloped support wall with large boulders at the base about 10-12 feet from the base of the wall, backfill with limestone gravel up to 2-4 feet and then soil on top with another layer of smaller boulders 1-2 ft from the top.
The width of the driveway at the end is 35 feet. The terraces would have perennials.
Does this design seem plausible? How do i calculate the required weight and size of boulders and gravel to support the driveway? Do i need water drainage with gravel and boulders? The driveway desparately needs replacement and i'm concerned with installing a concrete drive and the propensity for cracking if this retaining wall design is inferior. The boulder and terrace design is important to us, the artificial interlocking block look will not provide the natural appearance that we want to maintain in our back yard. By the way this wall will extend an additional 50 feet to support a red brick patio that ranges from 1-4 ft in height. Thank you very much in advance for any comments and help you can provide. Tom
Answer
Tom: yes it seems plausible and possibly quite attractive. It would be difficult to estimate the weight because most boulders over the size of a softball are not sold with any average coverage information. Estimating the needs of large boulders is something that comes from years of experience. Gravel coverage depend on size. You can contact local supplier for this info. They can tell you 1 ton covers x sf at 4" depth, etc. The you can alter the math to figure out what you need.
Note building a wall to support your driveway with boulders is very tricky. If not properly set, fortified and back filled it could easily fail.
I suggest back filling with lots of gravel, installing a french drain and possibly using geotextile fabric every 3 feet like you would with a "keystone" type wall.
Finally, I am very much a do-it-yourself kind of guy but this is definitely NOT a do it yourself project unless you are very familiar with setting boulders and proper wall design. You'll need large boulders that will take either a backhoe or 3 or 4 guys to move with steel rods to coax the boulders.
I wouldn't hire anyone who doesn't have insurance and wont guarantee the work for 36 months or longer. There is nothing to break or die so they should be willing to do this.
Best of Luck
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