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.
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 …
