I just finished reading the article (“Challenges in building SRWs … “) published in Geosynthetics magazine. I think your conclusion that the owner should take control of the design is right on the money and should be part of the bid package. I also believe that a generic, performance-based design can be put forth as a design that does not specify the facing or geogrid.
Such a design was done for the Babylon Landfill project in Babylon, N.Y. The design was done by GeoSyntec Consultants and leveled the playing field for all SRW suppliers.
I look forward to reading the rest of your articles.