Project Overview
Surface Area: 100 m²
Resin System: Addagrip Resin-Bound Surfacing (Moonstone finish)
Perimeter Detail: Architectural Aluminium Edging (Blizzard Grey)
Groundworks & Retention: 1m Earth Excavation & Solid Oak Sleeper Retaining Wall
Sub-Base Systems: Addagrip Addabase Flexible Matrix, MOT Type 3 Aggregate, Stabilised Concrete Foundations
Drainage: Perimeter ACO Channel Drains (Concealed Beneath Resin)
Structures & Lighting: Contemporary Slatted Fencing with Integrated Low-Voltage Lighting, Dunster House Timber Pergola
Project Details
The Challenge
A 100m² rear garden in Hastings required total structural reconfiguration to establish a usable, low-maintenance outdoor living space. The layout called for two distinct patio zones, connecting pathways, updated boundary lines, and integrated earth retention.
The primary engineering priority was managing surface water runoff along the rear elevation of the property while achieving a seamless finish across mixed sub-grades—without relying on heavy asphalt overlays or exposed metal drainage grates.
Sub-Base & Drainage Engineering
Resin-bound surfacing is an architectural finish. Its long-term integrity depends entirely on the structural engineering beneath it.
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Concealed ACO Perimeter Drainage: Heavy-duty ACO channel drains were installed along the rear house line to intercept surface runoff. By taking advantage of the high porosity of the Addagrip Addabase system, the channels were surfaced directly over with porous resin—delivering SuDS-compliant water management without breaking the surface visually with exposed metal grates.
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Addabase System Innovation: Rather than requiring full-depth asphalt laying, the engineered Addagrip Addabase flexible matrix was applied over a combination of prepared soil foundations and targeted concrete pads. This created a strong, flexible sub-base designed to absorb minor ground movement while remaining fully permeable across all footpaths and patio areas.
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Targeted Load Support: Primary patio areas were excavated and reinforced with compacted MOT Type 3 aggregate combined with concrete foundations at structural transition points to prevent settlement under load.
Step-by-Step Execution
1. Site Excavation & Earth Retention
Excavated 1 metre back into the rear garden bank to expand the usable ground footprint. Constructed solid oak sleeper retaining walls to permanently secure the earth, establish clean visual tiers, and form elevated planter beds.
2. Perimeter Drainage & Sub-Base Construction
Set ACO channel drains surrounding the property perimeter. Prepared ground foundations using a mix of concrete pads at key structural points, compacted MOT Type 3 aggregate under main patio zones, and the flexible Addagrip Addabase matrix across all pathway networks.
3. Precision Edging & Framing
Anchored heavy-duty aluminium edging in Blizzard Grey along every perimeter, step transition, and border to establish sharp, geometric lines.
4. Boundaries & Integrated Lighting
Constructed contemporary horizontal slatted timber fencing along the perimeter for privacy. Integrated low-voltage exterior lighting directly into the fencing framework and erected a Dunster House timber pergola over the secondary patio zone.
5. Resin Surface Installation
Mixed and hand-troweled BBA-approved Addagrip resin-bound surfacing in Moonstone across the full 100m² footprint, finishing flush to the Blizzard Grey aluminium edges and seamlessly across the concealed ACO drainage matrix.
The Result
A precision-engineered outdoor living space with continuous surface flow, completely concealed perimeter drainage, and structural integrity built from the ground up.
Strength Below. Beauty Above.