Benefits of using timber for street furniture

We continue to make greener choices in our everyday lives, reduce our carbon footprint and search for ways to do better, material choice is always at the forefront of the design process.

Of the many materials available, timber is one of the longest standing building materials in existence. Timber is strong, durable, and easy to work with, aesthetically it looks great and can be used in various applications.

Here we look at some of the benefits of timber and find out why it is still, to this day, so favoured in the construction sector and street furniture manufacturing.

Reduces Carbon Dioxide in the environment

Timbers are grown by absorbing Carbon Dioxide from the atmosphere. The harmful gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect is then stored within the timber. Using timber as a material for street furniture, means that the carbon is stored for as long as the product stands.

Renewable

Timber is naturally renewable and has less of an environmental impact compared to other materials often used in our urban environments.

Easy to work with and Durable

Timber is lightweight to work with and to transport but importantly strong and durable. When treated correctly wooden pieces of furniture can last beyond a lifetime. Wooden furniture avoids the wasteful ‘throw away’. Recycle and Reuse is key, wood is the perfect sustainable material.

Social

Interestingly wood and natural materials have been shown to reduce stress levels. It has beneficial psychological effects. Wooden furniture in an urban environment can reduce anxiety and has a positive emotional effect on us. It offers a closeness to nature, and a warmth often needed in a sea of concrete.

The Parallel 42 range of timber seating elements from Artform Urban Furniture, has a warm, natural feel. Tastefully designed, it features compatible and interchangeable modules that form the building blocks to create inviting outdoor environments.

The modular nature of this design can effectively frame and divide spaces and be configured to encourage social interactions in workplaces and communal areas.

The interchangeable pieces of furniture can be right-hand, left-hand, straight or wedge shaped each specified to meet at either 30° or 45° angles.

Backrest and centre armrest options can be included that also act as a skate deterrent. Each piece is made from coined steel and attached to the wooden bench with invisible fastenings. These can be specified for your design in a huge variety of vibrant powder coated colours.

Ernst & Young LLP is an accountancy practice based in Central Manchester, working with Showcase Interiors they selected the Parallel 42 Bench as they wanted a contemporary look that would open up their previously underutilised roof terrace.

The zig zag benches have been positioned overlooking the Manchester skyline to encourage employees to break up their day with fresh air and social interaction and use this space effectively. The benches are available free standing which is ideal for roof terrace schemes where foundations and below ground fixing are not possible.

The outcome is a usable terrace area that is enjoyed by many of the company’s employees during breaks. The seating has been such a success that the client has asked Artform for further input on future projects.

Artform is at the cutting edge of integrated landscape design and their mission is to supply the world’s most aspirational and design-led street furniture products, bringing to life the visions of Landscape Architects, Designers & Specifiers.

Artform Urban Furniture is part of the Bailey Street Furniture Group a privately owned collection of individual companies serving the construction sector, providing a wide range of street furniture, playground elements and associated services to the public realm, commercial and educational schemes throughout the UK.