In public spaces and urban developments, rigid linear boundaries are giving way to fluid, organic shapes. Landscapers and gardeners are moving away from sharp, right-angled retaining walls in favour of sweeping contours. UK supplier Wirefence is seeing a noticeable increase in demand for curved gabion baskets as designers seek more versatile alternatives to conventional sharp-edged layouts.
Unlike rigid square benches that force people to sit in a straight line, curved gabion seating offers a more natural, social seating arrangement. A circular bench built around a tree, for example, provides shelter from the elements while allowing multiple people to sit together comfortably without being crowded. Curved layouts also give designers complete flexibility on site, allowing walls and planters to curve smoothly around existing trees, root zones, and physical obstacles.
Examples of recent projects
The following projects show how curved gabions are being applied across different types of spaces
At a recent community pocket park project, gabions were used to form public seating curving around the local plants.The S-shaped bench is visually appealing whilst also making it practical for a couple of families to sit down without invading each other's privacy.
At the 2025 BBC Gardeners' World Spring Fair, Plumpton College horticulture students used a curved gabion wall to build their sensory garden showcase, Art in the Dark. The students used gabions for their aesthetic appeal, using them to create walls that doubled up as raised planters. Designed to engage all senses, the project went on to win the Visitors' Choice Best Showcase Garden Award
Curved gabions have also gained popularity in residential settings.They offer a strong focal point.This project included the installation of a closed circle around the base of a tree.The striking light colour of the stone stands out next to the bark and offers ample seating opportunity for guests.
Beyond the aesthetic appeal
Creating a curved gabion wall is surprisingly straightforward and requires no bending of steel mesh panels. By positioning standard gabion baskets at slight angles to one another and bridging the gaps with connecting panels, you can easily achieve sweeping, fluid lines. Step-by-step instructions for this installation method can be found on Wirefence’s curved gabion wall guide.
Beyond their visual flexibility, gabions offer fundamental performance advantages for both public and residential landscapes. Constructed from heavy-gauge galvanised steel mesh and filled with natural stone, they deliver exceptional durability, weather resistance, and long-term structural integrity. Their dense mass effortlessly withstands high foot traffic and impact, while their inherently porous nature allows surface water to drain freely, preventing hydrostatic pressure buildup.
This natural permeability also directly supports key urban sustainability targets. The internal voids between stones create sheltered micro-habitats for local wildlife, aligning with biodiversity goals set out by organisations like the Landscape Institute. Furthermore, guidance on Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) from CIRIA emphasises the role permeable boundaries play in managing urban runoff. By pairing long-term resilience and ecological value with design flexibility, curved gabions provide a practical solution for modern landscape architecture.
