WEST BEND, WI — The versatility of the VERSA-LOK Standard pinned retaining wall system is evident in the winner of the 2007 VERSA-LOK Design Contest. Scott Van Asten of Vosters Landscaping in Kaukauna, WI, built everything but the kitchen sink using VERSA-LOK Standard in his winning design. Van Asten also won first-place in 2005.

Starting with a blank canvas of a back yard, Van Asten was faced with slopes going two different directions and an egress window on the back of the house that had to remain accessible. In addition, the patio had to be accessible from the garage service door to accommodate a handicapped family member.

“The biggest challenge of the project was to provide a large enough area for entertaining without interfering with the egress windows on the back of the house,” Van Asten explains.

He tamed the dual slopes with a series of curved tiered retaining walls, using medium-height plantings to soften the appearance. A set of scalloped stairs bisects the complex to make the transition between a single-tier and double-tier wall. Freestanding columns accent the stairs and patio and provide ample spots for potted plants.

The spacious patio features a built-in grill with granite countertops on one end and a magnificent fireplace on the other. VERSA-LOK Weathered Standard in a Chestnut color was used for the entire project; columns and seat walls are finished with caps in a darker Cedar Creek Brown color.

“An amazing transformation of a dull and mundane yard,” one judge observed. “That it was done exclusively with VERSA-LOK Standard is a testament to the designer’s creative ability.”

“A beautifully sculpted landscape,” agreed another judge. “Tasteful accent lighting, subtle color variations in column and wall caps, and granite countertops are the icing on the cake.”

Concludes Van Asten: “With one product, I was able to construct retaining walls, seat walls, pillars, outdoor kitchen, table and bar bases, and an outdoor fireplace. One product — countless possibilities.”

The VERSA-LOK Standard product was manufactured by Bend Industries in West Bend, WI.

Check out more contest winners at www.versa-lok.com/gallery2007.