meet the team

MELISSA GERKE | Content and Presentations Specialist

mgerke@streetfurniture.com

Melissa creates entertaining and informative experiences for professionals in the public space. She runs Studio Workshops across Australia and the US, and Factory Tours closer to home in Regents Park, Western Sydney.

What inspires you?
I love seeing landscape architects transform public space into beautiful and accessible areas enjoyed by all.

Your favourite product and why?
The Linea Planter is the winner for me. Landscape architects were consulted early on to design this sleek planter. It not only looks good, but optimises the health of the plant. The planter comes with a wicking bed and an inner liner so the soil bed doesn’t overheat, protecting the roots. I love products like this that combine outstanding design features and practicality.

Linea Planter (LP3-BAT) Rectangular S with hardwood battens, Textura Woodland Grey frame. Paired with Linea Bench and Linea Cube.



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recent news

Engineered Wood: A New Timber Alternative

With the look and feel of natural timber, backed by 12 months of performance testing for the public realm, engineered wood joins Street Furniture Australia’s selection of batten materials. Designers and place custodians can now choose from three batten options to achieve a timber look: natural Spotted Gum hardwood, low maintenance aluminium Wood Without Worry, and engineered wood known as Onewood HRT. See our Engineered Wood: Onewood HRT brochure or book a presentation. What is engineered wood?Onewood HRT (Homogeneous Reconstituted Timber) is a solid engineered timber, made from fast-growing FSC certified poplar and eucalyptus fibres that are compressed under heat and pressure with a resin binder. It is solid throughout with an organic grain and, like real hardwood, can be sanded to refresh. Street Furniture Australia partners with a Singapore-based …

  • 7 oct 2025
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Trend Watch: New Study Quantifies Mental Health Benefits of Urban Nature

A new study published in Nature Cities finds that spending time in urban green spaces delivers powerful mental health benefits. Researchers analysed 78 experimental field studies and 449 peer-reviewed papers to quantify how exposure to different types of urban nature impacts mental health outcomes. Key findings: Time spent in green urban environments – notably forests and parks – is linked with meaningful reductions in anxiety, stress and low mood, and boosts to positive wellbeing and vitality. Importantly even short exposures (as little as 15 minutes) yield measurable benefits, while longer engagements (45+ minutes) result in greater gains. The effects are especially pronounced among young adults, although positive effects were seen across all age groups. The researchers say the findings highlight the importance of safeguarding and expanding access to urban nature as …

  • 21 oct 2025
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‘Elegant Simplicity’: Finally A Good-Looking Bin

Linea Bin is the newest addition to Street Furniture Australia’s minimalist Linea range. Built from stainless steel for strength, durability and a refined aesthetic, it has been thoughtfully designed with input from landscape architects and waste managers to deliver hygiene, accessibility and sustainability in the public realm. Built to LastA robust stainless steel frame and panel system ensures Linea Bin performs in high-traffic environments. A full-height stainless steel 316 piano hinge and splash tray provide exceptional strength, hygiene and corrosion resistance, withstanding daily impacts from trolleys and cleaning equipment. “Durability was paramount,” says Pearson Bulmer, Senior Industrial Designer at Street Furniture Australia. “Every detail needed to perform in the public realm for years to come – but also be designed for disassembly so parts can be repaired, replaced or recycled …

  • 24 sep 2025
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