Sustainable street furniture
Urban settings are commonplace, and there has been a tremendous demand for inclusive cities, complete with green expanses and recreation or work areas where a sustainable way of life can be realised.
There is a rising demand for responsibly-sourced urban solutions and sustainable raw products is now a fundamental consideration. Gone are the times when a bench was just a bench, and that was that. Local economies require a dynamic approach to urban development which means out-dated and uninspiring streetscapes are no longer an option.
So, what factors should a street furniture design take into account?
Sustainability
Sustainability should play a pivotal role in any landscape or streetscape design today, and street furniture is no exception. Because of this awareness, Bluestream first proposed the use of Granite, for its range of outdoor furniture, to be positioned outside several of the Metro stations in Dubai.
As the material is uncommon in the types of raw materials used in industries for furniture, after several discussions with the RTA, Bluestream’s range became the first to use it in street furniture in the Middle East.
Granite is one of the most naturally available materials there are but can be quite expensive as a raw product. Bluestream tackled this issue by sourcing it straight from local quarries, ensuring top-quality products with the smallest carbon footprint.
The stone is used directly as no mineral treatments are needed; helping reduce the unnecessary release of chemicals into the atmosphere.
Style
The right street furniture can enhance the aesthetics of any urban scene. Whatever the project— a park, street, or public square, it is necessary to capture the essence of the settings by picking the right furniture for that location.
The granite street furniture by Bluestream was constructed with this in mind. In the Middle East, street furniture was not generally considered to be aesthetic requirements. Bluestream is working to change that— by making products that are chic, modern, and classy. The RTA project is one of the first examples of Bluestream’s dedication.
Granite as a material is as robust and contemporary, as it is stylish and visually pleasing. It is generally loved by clients for its luxurious finish, the furniture adds a style quotient to any promenade or street setting while providing comfortable seating for citizens, more so than any chemical raw material.
Durability
Street furniture is a significant investment and needs to be able to stand the test of time. Durability is, therefore, a key factor, when choosing materials and designs.
With constant exposure to nature’s elements throughout all seasons, preserving street furniture from extreme weather is necessary. Durable materials and intelligent design can play a significant part in counteracting the impact of nature.
There’s a reason granite stone is one of the most commonly used raw materials in monuments across the world. Unlike several chemical raw materials, Granite is incredibly robust and comes with a shelf life and warranty of fifty years. For added resilience, Bluestream coats its granite product with a hydrophobic layer to ensure it is impervious to water.
The growing population and the pollution in cities make it vital to adapt the street furniture in an eco-friendly way, to deliver energy savings and economic savings for the municipalities.
Creativity and innovation are the foundations of development. In this day and age, however, we all need to drastically decrease our impact on the planet’s environment. For this reason, sustainability must be an indispensable part of the creative process and the types of raw materials used in industries.
