I need to build this.

Krisidious

architecturally, what would you call this feature?

lapx

Chris,

It's called random stacked stone. Looks like some kinda of false buttress.
I don't think you need to go through that much effort with 3d. I would model the basic shape and texture it as you desire. Anything like this can be handle with a good "character refence guide" indicating color,pattern, texture and dimension you require. I good mason should be able to build this with a little art direction in the field. ofcurse the traditional cross section showing construction elements is necessary.

Krisidious

Lapx,

That's probably the closest thing I've heard to describe it. however what I'm looking for is more natural and random than ordered like buttresses. I know my shape shown in the screenies is rather perfect, but the randomness is what I'm after, I was using that buttress shape as a guide.

I call it a spilling stone corner or a spread stone corner. but searches give me no examples. this is one I happened across on the net and it's close to what I want except it's too narrow through it's length. I would like it to be wider and seem to come up from the ground instead of down into it.

here's one of our sketches.

imagine this wrapping a corner and coming up higher.

[xxl-img:23d2t063]http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rZ--zwlBk3A/T72Zb1hwU8I/AAAAAAAAB-o/UnPpkFqbmsM/s1600/Retaining+wall+falling+WM.jpg[/xxl-img:23d2t063]