Amazing Amenity: Kodah Wall Putting Course in Sandy Springs, Georgia

THE CHALLENGE:

As the world emerged from pandemic-prompted isolation, national real estate development/management firm Highwood Properties sought to add a new outdoor amenity to a commercial building in Sandy Springs, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. The company opted to create a one-of-a-kind urban putting course and tiered outdoor living space built with Rosetta Hardscapes’ Kodah precast modular block (PMB) retaining walls, supplied by local producer Peerless Brick & Block. Early design plans called for cast-in-place concrete walls, but the designer/contractor identified challenges with tight radii, terraced wall layouts, and long-term aesthetic expectations. Reclaimed stone masonry walls, known as rubble walls, were also briefly considered but ultimately dismissed due to cost and installation labor.

The project faced several challenges:

• The design included tight radii, which eliminated cast-in-place as an option for the retaining wall design
• The project included terraced retaining walls with multiple heights, demanding an adaptable solution
• The project owner wanted an attractive, durable, natural stone-look that felt authentic to the area

These factors required a solution to balance structural performance with design flexibility and aesthetic appeal. The team needed a retaining wall system that would save time and labor while delivering a high-quality, natural stone look.

THE SOLUTION:

The installer recommended Kodah, a precast concrete modular block retaining wall solution offering natural stone textures and faster, more efficient installation. Kodah eliminated the high labor demands of cast-in-place and rubble masonry and provided design flexibility for the larger terraced and smaller walls scattered across the site.

Key factors that led to the project’s success included:

• Material Efficiency. Installing Kodah is a faster, more cost-effective solution for retaining wall design than cast-in-place or rubble retaining walls.
• Design Flexibility. Kodah is adaptable to plan changes and varied wall heights, making it ideal for complex terraced retaining walls during outdoor amenity construction.
• Aesthetic Appeal. With highly detailed face textures and color variations inspired by regional hues, Kodah delivers a premium natural stone look.
• Contractor Support. Rosetta provided on-demand design data and resources to streamline retaining wall design and expedite approvals.

The amenity space offers a unique communal activity and a gorgeous outdoor focal point for Highwood Properties, helping them retain residential and commercial tenants in a competitive market. The project demonstrates how Kodah combines performance, versatility, and aesthetic impact to deliver standout results for commercial spaces.

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