Micaceous Iron Oxide Finish on Street Furniture

EM093 Boulevarde Seat

The Sydney Harbour Bridge has withstood Australia’s climate and harsh elements for over 90 years, in part due to the use of a special protective paint called Micaceous Iron Oxide. Micaceous iron oxide (MIO) has a special flat, layered structure referred to as lamellar. Lamellar structures have fine layers alternating between different materials.  A good … Continue reading “Micaceous Iron Oxide Finish on Street Furniture”

Not Just Child’s Play: Why Playgrounds are Important to Children’s Development

Far from being a trivial part of urban developments, playgrounds and green spaces are much more than just “child’s play”. Providing built environments which cater to the rising generations must be an integral part of public policies, programmes and decisions. A recent UNICEF report makes the case for prioritisation of playgrounds and recreational areas which … Continue reading “Not Just Child’s Play: Why Playgrounds are Important to Children’s Development”

Design Principles for a Post-Covid World

Among the more unexpected impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic is the rethinking of how populations interact with their built environment, and whether large cities are the way of the future when it comes to urban development. According to a recent report by UN Habitat, the effects of Covid-19 have highlighted “the unprecedented demographic, environmental, economic, … Continue reading “Design Principles for a Post-Covid World”

Fresh Air Team Meetings

Emerdyn Garden Setting

One of the big questions occupying the minds of corporate leaders coming through the Covid-19 pandemic is “will employees want to return to the office after working from home?”. Setting the standard for the future of work, tech giant Google announced in December 2020 plans to bring employees back into the office in a hybrid … Continue reading “Fresh Air Team Meetings”

Street Furniture and Urban Regeneration

Urban Regeneration: An Introduction Practical application of urban regeneration strategies is the key to reinvigorating modern cityscapes, transforming the lives of residents, attracting tourists and stimulating economic growth. The benefits of urban regeneration strategies are manifold, simultaneously addressing issues such as social equity and health, reducing carbon emission, and enhancing infrastructure, liveability and housing. What … Continue reading “Street Furniture and Urban Regeneration”

Street Furniture: The Evolution

EM009 Heritage Seats

The transformative power of landscaping and public amenity design is one of the cornerstones of urban renewal, impacting the way humans interact with each other and their environment. Street furniture is one of the key ways in which public spaces become functional, facilitating community and connection. While many contemporary forms of street furniture have evolved … Continue reading “Street Furniture: The Evolution”

Yarning Circles: The Indigenous Foundations of Modern Community

EM038 - 10.4LM, Powdercoated Frame Custom Black Matt on grass

Australian Indigenous patterns of gathering contain important keys for building cohesive modern communities, creating spaces for building connection and understanding. Particularly in an educational context, the tradition of gathering in a “Yarning Circle” creates a space for stories, history, wisdom and experiences to be shared. As a nod towards NAIDOC week and Indigenous Literacy Day, … Continue reading “Yarning Circles: The Indigenous Foundations of Modern Community”

Outdoor Furniture Design in Education

EM038-T Contour Bench Seats 4M

Studies on the impact of environmental and spatial design in educational settings have proven what we all intuitively knew – physical environment impacts both social behaviour and learning outcomes. Theories of environmental psychology have long held that elements of the physical environment have an impact on social attitudes and behaviour inside the classroom and beyond. … Continue reading “Outdoor Furniture Design in Education”