Public art not only enlivens urban spaces, supports local artists and sparks conversation, it’s a relatively cheap way for cities to attract both visitors and money.
Events such as Vivid Sydney and MONA in Hobart have proven to have a significant impact on the local economy, in terms of the increased revenue generated from more visitors, better productivity and free publicity that unique cultural events create.
As Meg Bartholomew reports in the Guardian, city planners and property developers are taking notice of the potential that lies in an ‘experience-based economy’. Art that makes people feel good makes them linger – and spend.
Aside from the economic benefits, public art helps to define a city’s identity (hello, Melbourne), enhances a city’s reputation, and can even improve health.
Designing vibrant streets with Angus Bruce:
As the internet has transformed the way we shop, socialise and spend our leisure time, the common streetscape has had to step up its game, writes Angus Bruce.
Vibrant or ‘curated’ streets are being considered around the world by city planners and developers, in order to pull crowds. Widened footpaths, garden beds, water fountains, shading, seating and lighting are some ways to encourage more foot traffic.
Bruce highlights Adelaide’s Rundle Mall as an example of a cleverly re-designed urban precinct. The re-vamped mall allows for a range of outdoor events, pop-ups, art displays and a beautifully lit canopy that welcomes visitors day and night.
With many more examples of such projects worldwide, it shows that clever design initiatives can catapult a dwindling urban precinct into a thriving, exciting space.
To celebrate the unveiling of the Piatto Chair at our annual product launch party with AILA NSW in Sydney, Jazz at The Mint, clients were invited to enter this quirky contest. The competition called for teams to incorporate Piatto Chairs into an ‘Awkward Family Photo’ portrait, for a chance to win Piatto Chairs of their very own. Congratulations to the creative crew from Yerrabingin, who delivered the strongest awkward family vibes on the night. Highly commended goes to the entrants below, and the full photo gallery from the event is available for viewing. Please contact marketing@streetfurniture.com if you would like to request a high res file to print and frame for your best room.
Clients from Sydney, Adelaide, California and Texas joined Street Furniture Australia and AILA NSW to celebrate the unveiling of new products on March 14, 2024, with margaritas and live music. Jazz at The Mint is an annual product launch held at The Mint, an iconic site in the heart of the Sydney CBD. It is an elegant affair and a unique opportunity to connect with landscape architects and built environment professionals at a global scale. This year’s party featured the new Linea Planter System and upcoming Piatto Chair, a single-seater hybrid between cafe and robust public space furniture – available now for specifications. The gathering was opened by Uncle Allan Murray, representing the Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council, with speeches from: Ben Stockwin, AILA CEO, acknowledged the 10 year relationship with …
The Street Furniture Australia factory, in Regents Park, Western Sydney, is both a manufacturing hub and R&D studio for our Australian-designed and made street furniture products. We run fun and informative group events for customers throughout the year, to share how products are designed, tested and built, and the latest products and projects. This tour is open to design specifiers such as landscape architects and architects, and place custodians including Councils, government agencies, developers and other place managers. Director of Tract Julie Lee said: “It was a great opportunity for our team to look behind the scenes and understand the innovation, research and climate positive outcomes Street Furniture Australia is focusing on. Thank you for having us!” Place Design Group Associate, Liam Isaksen, said: “The factory tour is a fun …
Soft cities for biodiversity: The idea that city-dwellers live in ‘concrete jungles’ no longer holds true. According to a recent study, 30% of Australia’s threatened plant and animal species exist within urban landscapes. So what does this mean? Urban ecosystems aren’t an easy place for biodiversity to exist. But if we design our cities to manage biodiversity, argues urban ecologist Amy K Hahs, we all stand to benefit. To build innovative, ecologically-designed ‘soft’ cities – cities that are healthier and more sustainable for both people and biodiversity – we have a lot of rethinking to do. Read more about designing for urban biodiversity on Foreground. Image: Moonee Valley Urban Ecology Park Scenario, Zoe Metherell. The prophecies of Jane Jacobs: “Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, …
Science backs ‘forest bathing’: We knew we felt good after a long bush-bash on the weekend. Now science has more information as to why. The Japanese practice of forest bathing, says the World Economic Forum, is proven to lower heart rate and blood pressure, reduce stress hormone production, boost the immune system, and improve overall feelings of wellbeing. Not only are swathes of green nature said to be soothing, there may be a chemical reaction going on unseen to improve human health. Trees emit various essential oils known as phytoncide, to protect themselves from germs and insects – inhaling this seems to improve our immune system function. See the article here. Photo by Abdur Ahmanus on Unsplash. Are smart cities doomed to be stupid? Rem Koolhaas, Dutch architect, architectural theorist, urbanist and Professor in Practice …
7 park hacks for an aging population: Researchers from the Queensland University of Technology have engaged with older people living in high-density Brisbane, to come up with key design considerations for more usable and comfortable public spaces. Here are seven: A wide variety of places to sit, to enjoy being out in public and watching people. Usable, universal design seating – rather than having to sit on the grass – is especially important for older people as rest-stops or destinations. Hand rails on stairs and steep paths for safety and confidence. Drinking fountains and trees for shade and comfort. Plentiful and clean public toilets. The lack of such facilities can be debilitating and an obstacle to some older people’s enjoyment of the public realm. Wider paths and safer buffers between pedestrians and high-traffic roadways. Safer …
