UNSW, the University of Sydney, Georges River Council and Street Furniture Australia together have won a 2020 PIA NSW Award of Excellence for the ChillOUT Hubs – Smart Social Spaces Creating Connected Green Places project.
CM+ developed site plans and furniture arrangements for the construction phase.
The PIA – Planning Institute of Australia – is the national body representing planning and the planning profession. State finalists from this year’s awards are eligible for the National PIA awards to be held in 2021.
ChillOUT received an Award of Excellence in the Best Planning Ideas (Small Project) category, which recognises a project that benefits a site or a local place. It is awarded for planning documents, programs, policies or projects that advance current planning practice within a localised setting.
The judges said: “COVID-19 has reinforced the need for high quality spaces. This project addresses this important issue using a collaborative approach to design and produces innovative open-air community spaces called ChillOUT Hubs.
“Adaptable to community needs and expectations, the Hubs are the result of a partnership between industry, academia and local government – providing a practical, functional and sustainable translation of smart cities concepts. Congratulations to the project team.”
Family time at the ChillOUT Hub in Timothy Reserve, Hurstville.
ChillOUT Hubs are open-air smart community spaces, co-designed by the project team, with design development and manufacturing by Street Furniture Australia, and installed for testing at three sites in the Georges River Council area in NSW.
A modular design allows customising for communities and sites – the three Hub prototypes are located at a busy thoroughfare in Kogarah, neighbourhood town centre in Mortdale and residential park in Hurstville.
The hubs offer seating and tables, shade, greenery, lighting, drinking fountains, public WiFi and device charging. In-built sensors provide Council with data on microclimate and use, for planning and maintenance.
Street Furniture Australia designed the hubs with input from its partners. Council undertook the overall project management, including installation. The universities are developing a digital asset management dashboard, and are evaluating the impact of the hubs with formal research studies.
The ChillOUT prototypes are currently undergoing further development in response to learnings from the Georges River installations. They are scheduled for launch in 2021.
An Uber driver charges his phone at the Mortdale ChillOUT Hub between trips.A long communal table for groups at the Mortdale ChillOUT Hub. Prototype solar power.Powering devices at the ChillOUT Hub in Timothy Reserve, Hurstville.Lighting improves safety and usability at night, Hurstville ChillOUT Hub.
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Melissa Gerke, our Communications and Education Specialist, is bringing a fun, interactive and informative presentation about our carbon neutral journey and latest products to customers in cities around Australia and in the US. In 30 minutes (plus Q&A) we will explore materials and finishes, touch and feel samples, and bond with your colleagues over delicious treats. There will also be a mystery prize for a lucky winner (optional). 2024 cities and dates include: Select from three catering options (optional): To book, contact Melissa Gerke mgerke@streetfurniture.com
Street Furniture Australia’s entire product range and manufacturing operation has received carbon neutral certification through Climate Active™. Achieving carbon neutral certification marks a significant milestone in our operation and the culmination of a four year long process of detailed measurement and analysis. Climate Active™ is the only Australian government-backed carbon neutral certification programme for businesses to measure, reduce, and offsets their carbon emissions. It is one of the most rigorous carbon-neutral programs in the world. An approved Emissions Reduction Strategy (ERS) is central to achieving certification through Climate Active. Street Furniture Australia has elected to use SBTi validated science-based targets to ensure their ERS is meaningful and aligns with the 2015 Paris Agreement – to limit global temperature rises to 1.5℃ above pre-industrial levels. For those emissions that can’t be …
