Underground fencing system for a multi-family residential development

A retractable underground fencing system such as FANCY FENCE is a solution in which the fencing elements, instead of moving above the surface, lower into a concrete basin built into the ground and remain hidden below the pavement level when open, without creating a visible barrier. In multi-family residential developments, this makes it possible to precisely separate common and private zones without permanently enclosing the space with infrastructure.

The use of this type of system requires appropriate technical conditions and must be taken into account at an early design stage. In developments where these conditions are met, it offers a level of architectural integration and operational flexibility that is difficult to achieve with conventional above-ground systems.

Project background: shared access, individual privacy

A multi-family residential development usually begins with a shared internal road serving all units. Private zones branch off from it: parking spaces, courtyards, gardens. The problem is that the same entrance is used not only by residents, but also by guests, couriers, service teams and property management vehicles. Each of these groups requires different access rules, temporary permissions and often separate technical elements.

An underground retractable fencing system can be integrated with an access control system that manages the permissions of individual user groups. The boundary between the common and private zone appears when it is needed and disappears once access is granted — without visible infrastructure that would burden the space on a daily basis.

Functional underground fences – technical configuration

The basic element of the system is a concrete basin built into the pavement, which houses the drive mechanism and folded fencing elements. Functional underground fences require the basin to be planned as part of the structural layers of the driveway — not as an addition to an already finished surface.

The dimensions and depth of the basin depend on the specific system and must be known before earthworks begin. It is worth obtaining this data directly from the manufacturer or supplier of the selected solution. Installation tolerances are narrow: a basin with incorrect dimensions may prevent proper installation of the mechanism.

Drainage of the basin is one of the critical operational parameters. The basin collects rainwater and water from melting snow — without an efficient drainage system, the mechanism may become flooded and corrode. Linear drainage along the concrete basin must be designed as part of the installation, and its capacity should be adapted to local rainfall conditions and the slope of the terrain.

Which access control options are compatible with underground systems?

Underground retractable fencing systems work with most modern access control technologies. Proximity cards and key fobs are the simplest option for residential environments — each resident receives permission assigned to a specific zone, and lost cards can be deactivated remotely without a technician’s visit.

Mobile apps and Bluetooth access eliminate the need for a physical carrier. In premium developments, they make it possible to manage temporary access for guests without involving the property manager. This is particularly important with the growing number of courier deliveries, where access for non-residents must be controllable in real time.

License plate recognition cameras operate without user involvement: the vehicle approaches the barrier, the system identifies the plate and initiates opening. This is a convenient solution for developments with assigned parking spaces, where the daily rhythm of entries and exits should be as automated as possible.

The access management platform should be compatible with the building’s BMS system and support video intercoms at pedestrian entrances, so that vehicle and pedestrian access control can be managed from one place by a single operator.

When is an underground retractable system the right choice — and when is it not?

The system works best under specific design conditions: when the project assumes an open surface without visible posts and guide rails, when high throughput is required with minimal above-ground infrastructure, when access management for many users must be centralized, and when the aesthetics of the development do not allow visible technical elements.

There are also conditions in which the system requires additional analysis or may not be the right choice. A high groundwater level makes it difficult to build a basin of the required depth. Very heavy pavement loads — heavy vehicles exceeding the system’s permissible parameters — require verification with the manufacturer. The inability to provide efficient drainage rules out the use of the system in a given location. A construction stage at which earthworks have already been completed significantly increases adaptation costs.

The decision to choose an underground system should be made before preparing the site development plan — not after it.

Checklist for the architect and investor

Before making a design decision, it is worth verifying the following issues:

1. Is the required basin depth achievable with the planned driveway layers?

2. Are there any conflicts between the concrete basin and underground technical installations, such as water, electricity or sewage?

3. Has linear drainage along the system line been included in the site development design?

4. Are the cable routes for power supply and control coordinated with the electrical design?

5. Does the design provide service access to the basin without dismantling the pavement?

6. Is the access control system compatible with the building’s BMS or smart home platform?

7. Has access management for guests, couriers and technical services been defined at the design level?

8. Has the system manufacturer confirmed the permissible pavement loads for the planned traffic?

9. Have the groundwater level and ground conditions been verified against the system requirements?

Why does early-stage planning determine the quality of the final installation?

The greatest risk in underground system installations does not lie in the product itself — it lies in the ground preparation stage. Decisions made during earthworks determine what is possible in the completed development, and changes at a later stage involve significant costs.

The basin must be built in accordance with the manufacturer’s specification, maintaining the required dimensions, tolerances and drainage solutions. Early involvement of an underground systems specialist means that technical drawings reach the earthworks contractor before the work begins, not after.