Last Updated on
Street furniture lets pedestrians know that they are welcome on the street. They can sit on benches whenever they are tired of walking. They can benefit from the light of the lamp posts, and they can read street signs to know where they are located.
When designing and integrating furniture elements, there are various factors to consider. The use of benches may be helpful to urban areas where people may want to wait for a bus. However, if not properly placed, these same objects can be an obstruction to many drivers, especially if there are intersections and crowds begin to gather in the area.
The selection and the location of the furniture should be analyzed carefully. Many street furniture manufacturers also consider the design to make sure that the benches and posts are aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Here are some of the criteria included in selecting street furniture.
Essential Criteria of Street Furniture Selection
1. Significance
The pieces of furniture can serve as places for eating, resting, sitting, or even talking with one’s friends. These might be especially important if an area has a large population of older adults and those who have limited mobility. Most tables on parks may also help parents with little children as they can be a place where picnics are set.
2. Provides Comfort
One of the main challenges of many manufacturers is to create something that will draw people in. People should feel relaxed and welcome when they sit on one of the wooden seats. They should be able to stay dry while waiting for the bus on a rainy day. They should be able to take a break from the heat of the sun when they are walking along roads. Some of the pedestrians may want to take off pressure from their feet, which can make them enjoy their environment more.
3. Practical Design
The design should include the needs of many people, such as older adults with disabilities, and more. Know more about the design in this site here. The design should have at least functional properties that will welcome people from all walks of life. The overall design may require placing telephone booths, benches, and bins to be placed near each other to promote nearness. If they are too far, people may tend to draw apart naturally.
4. Style
The overall aesthetics of street furniture matter. This is because a street should be attractive enough for people to stroll on it. There is bespoke furniture that was exclusively styled for a particular road. If an area is known to be the spot of coffee shops and high-profile people, the furniture should match the style of the people to create a signature look.
5. Builds Pride
People who live in a neighborhood with bespoke or unique street equipment can be proud of their place. They can invite more people to their area because they know that pedestrians and tourists can sit for a bit when they need to. The area that provides comfort and attractive benches and tables is a kind of asset where people can be proud of living there can be proud of. These people may also be attracted to stroll outdoors if there are amenities available for them.
6. Reduce Vandalism
Vandalism can be everywhere. Fortunately, it can be avoidable if the furniture is made to resist graffiti and other tools used for vandalism. Vandalism can make the benches seem a waste of money, but this is not the case at all. Elders can significantly benefit from sitting after a long walk, and everything in the place will be worth it. There is some furniture that is made from durable materials such as recycled plastic, and they can remain attractive without the look of neglect.
7. Security and Safety
There are pieces of furniture that are constructed with safety in mind. This means that some of the booths and tables are made without the exposed fasteners and sharp edges. Some of the furniture is bolted to the ground with the help of concrete slabs. The safety also includes lighting, arrangement, accessibility, visibility, and other factors.
Common Materials Used
Some of the most popular materials used include wood and steel. Other possibilities include concrete, stone, recycled plastic, and more. The choice of materials depends on the area, the designs and depends on the context of limitation.
The amenities should also withstand fluctuating weather conditions — the frequency of use, the initial costs, and the ease of maintenance. There are also possibilities of companies using eco-friendly materials. Read more information about eco-friendly materials here: https://householdwonders.com/most-eco-friendly-materials/.
The pieces of equipment may also be made from materials that are non-flammable to promote durability. These can include metals, stone, and brick with the pedestrian’s safety in mind. For areas where a fire is frequent, some of the wooden materials may be best avoided. As there are a lot of benefits that you can get from street furniture, the most important thing is to take good care of them.
Reply