Client: NSW Government
Completion: 2016 - onwards
Collaboration: CONTEXT Landscape Architecture

The challenge

As part of the NSW Government Schools Funding Programme, CONTEXT Landscape Architecture were awarded a number of projects to redevelop the outdoor spaces of NSW primary schools. CONTEXT’s focus was to enhance play, encourage learning and create socialising areas that could also double as outdoor learning nodes. 

Our solution

Practical and collaborative

Before specifying or designing furniture for these spaces, CONTEXT director, Hamish Dounan wanted to get an understanding of what products were currently available, what customisation opportunities there were, and what materials would be best suited. Most importantly, he needed to know how to keep costs down so they could maximise quantity. 

CONTEXT were also interested in making sure parts were readily available and easy to maintain. This led to the engagement of Michelle Herbut to guide the CONTEXT team through each of the critical requirements. Together they navigated the challenges to determine the best way to proceed with the products. 

“Integrating Michelle into the process early on, allowed us to get a better understanding of how we wanted these items to work within the space. It clarified which direction we wanted to go and saved us time developing ideas that ultimately wouldn’t work due to budget constraints or incorrect material selection”.

Flexible designs

Once the brief became clear, Herbut pitched a modular bench solution that was created from a kit-of-parts. A fabricated bench frame was designed to fit in with stock aluminum battens that, together, would create benches that could be assembled in different configurations to suit different spaces and activities. As there was only a low number of parts, we were able to produce a high quantity of each part for reuse or stock, which kept costs down and meant replacement parts were readily available. 

“Instead of CONTEXT creating multiple design variations and making a space work with an off-the-shelf item; or designing several different items which could increase costs and reduce yield; we were able to work together to create a simple, cost effective solution that worked in the space they designed” says Herbut. 

The result

The end result produced circular and arced seating nodes for socialising or learning, and straight or snaking benches for more informal seating. The addition of bright colours created a vibrancy within the play spaces. So far over 200 benches have been installed over 11 schools.

Michelle Herbut was an employee of Street Furniture Australia during this period and the benches are a proprietary item of SFA.