Furnitubes International Ltd

The brief was to design a large central circular seating arrangement that could incorporate poems written by local school children, with complementary smaller scale circular benches to either side. In the central bench the poem lettering was engraved into bronze plates inset along the centre line of the seats and pre-treated to give a visually rich weathered patina. Under-seat lighting was designed into the central benches to make them equally prominent features during the evening as they are during the day.

Furnitubes’ designers worked closely with landscape architects LDA Design to develop a system of steel components that included a skeletal sub-frame, solid plate backing panels and contrasting bronze-colour outer screens with a cut-out pattern. Furnitubes undertook the full detailed design, also coordinating with structural engineering consultants in the process, manufactured the entire steelwork structure and also completed all on-site installation of the 15 outer panels and sub-structures. Other improvements at the site include new granite paving and an impressive large scale floral artwork above the new screens, on the façade of the 3-storey car park.

Dollar Bay is a residential development of 115 apartments and penthouses in Canary Wharf, London. Dollar Bay’s prime location at the eastern end of the South Dock makes for spectacular views across the ever-changing Docklands’ skyline. From the original client seating concept Furnitubes developed detailed designs for public realm quayside benches and a variety of seating solutions to the private garden, including bench seating around raised planters, linear seating beneath a pergola, bespoke recliners and picnic benches. Materials used include granite, flamed to match the paving and walling, and European oak in an oiled finish.

The new city centre campus at Cardiff & Vale College sees a distinctive wedge shape building designed with a high focus on sustainability. Furnitubes designers worked closely with the project contractors and Architects involved who were keen to encourage open welcoming spaces for students and members of the public. Part of the solution included a bespoke Elements Podium platform, manufactured in iroko timber slats with steel supports. The platform created an informal seating provision to encourage interaction and socialisation amongst students. Also supplied to the development were a number of contemporary seats and benches to suit the character of the scheme.

Neal Street is a busy shopping thoroughfare situated in the heart of London’s Covent Garden. Existing timber bollards on the street had gradually deteriorated over time and the client wished to upgrade to a more robust cast iron solution, using Furnitubes’ Cannon bollards that are widespread throughout Westminster, but adding some site-specific detailing relevant to the area. The installation of nearly 30 new bollards with the Mercers’ Maiden has improved traffic management on Neal Street and provided an interesting connection to the area’s heritage.

Furnitubes supplied three distinctly different types of seating, though all using a common material palette of hardwood seating surfaces on galvanised steelwork supports / frames in a grey PPC finish, with the more visible arm and backrest components in stainless steel. On the bridge itself a curved RailRoad Narrow ‘Edge’ bench was used, adjacent to the abutments at both ends of the bridge bespoke platforms provide large seating surfaces and in the surrounding hard landscaped areas bespoke seat and bench modules have been built into low level planter retaining walls. In total over 20 seating modules were supplied.

The Excelsior Building is a new addition to the impressive Haberdashers’ Aske’s School campus in Borehamwood. The courtyard comprises planted beds, with social spaces and pathways in a mix of resin-bound gravels and synthetic grass surfaces. To allow pupils to enjoy this new outdoor space a seating system was required that was sufficiently flexible, and RailRoad was the ideal choice. Over 60 linear metres of the Delta version from the RailRoad range was supplied, creating 4 long curvi-linear seating runs and also some shorter independent straight units, together with purpose-made steel planters.

The £440m redevelopment of Westgate Oxford shopping centre, Furnitubes designers worked with landscape architects LDA Design to develop a series of planting and seating solutions for the rooftop terraces, designed around a kitchen garden concept and creating a series of unique outdoor spaces for 12 bars and restaurants and offering impressive views of the Oxford skyline and the countryside beyond. Themed areas include the sinuous Crinkle Crankle, a Vegetable Garden and the more formal Garden Court as well as the Kitchen Garden itself. Planters were manufactured predominantly in steel, some with additional timber cladding, others with integrated seating and lighting.

muf architects utilised Furnitubes’ expertise in design and manufacture to develop a bespoke seating solution for Gainsborough Square, in Bristol. The new seating was integrated with and was fixed to the substructure of the pavilion. The products comprise a steel frame with recycled plastic boards for the seating surface, in 3 subtle colour shades as used for the pavilion deck and with outer ends of the seats sloping down to meet the pavilion deck. The new pavilion has proved to be a popular centrepiece at Gainsborough Square since it’s unveiling at a community event hosted by Bristol City Council.

The Hotwalls Studios scheme, funded by a £1.75m grant from the government’s coastal communities fund and local authority funding, has transformed the arches into 13 working studios for artists, designers & creative companies. The open space to the front of the arches has been re-paved, and 7 new wave-form benches manufactured by Furnitubes have been installed around established trees alongside the Broad Street pavement. The benches - manufactured in grade 316 stainless steel appropriate for their coastal location, with curved-form timbers in iroko hardwood - provide the ideal opportunity for visitors to sit and enjoy this exciting redevelopment area.

BDP approached Furnitubes with a concept seating design for the redevelopment of Thomas More Square. The designs were characterised by a complex arrangement of intersecting angled planes to fit into dedicated alcoves in the raised planters. From this concept Furnitubes designers developed the complex geometry by 3d modelling each of the 6 unique seating structures, and a complementary large scale wall-top platform. Seating was used in mirrored pairs either side of the main walkway and included flat benches, and seats with single plane and compound angle backrests, all custom-designed and made to fit the challenging levels of the site.

The construction of a dedicated garden space, located on a former flat grassed area between a 19th-century red-brick mill and the 21st-century art gallery, is the latest development at The Hepworth Wakefield. Landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith designed the unusual garden benches - large scale concrete blocks with inset timber seating pads. At over 4m long, and weighing 2200kg each, the benches were at the very limit of a single piece concrete moulding and required the set-up of a dedicated new mould specifically for the 4 benches. The garden provides step-free access for use to enjoy this inspiring setting.

The largest of the three Royal Group of Docks in East London, Royal Albert Dock was first opened in 1880. Royal Albert Dock as a whole is now being brought back to life in a massive project, designed as a concept by Gillespies landscape architects. Furnitubes developed the designs through to manufacturing detail for the high back double-sided modules four assemblies in total. The seats comprise iroko slats on an internal steel structure, with adjustable feet for levelling. Lighting will be installed so that the seats form attractive features at night as well as during the day.

As part of recent paving improvement works the bollards have been upgraded to high security versions, but these plain steel sections alone would be out of keeping with the memorial. The solution was to cover the steel cores with decorative sleeves, designed to complement the Doric-style fluted columns. Furnitubes developed a 3d digital model of the bollard sleeve, from which a new pattern was created to cast the sleeves in aluminum, which is a light enough material to make lifting over the steel posts easier, and with the benefit of having an appearance very similar to other traditional cast iron products.

The North Portsea Island Scheme involves the replacement of 8.4km of coastline protection of low-lying land in the City of Portsmouth. Several different forms of seating were required for the project including conventional seats and benches, picnic tables and loungers, in both relaxed and upright forms. Furnitubes’ Elements seating range was chosen for the basic seating, with other bespoke products designed to complement. For the aggressive weathering conditions at this marine location, all steelwork was hot dip galvanised and polyester powder coated in a corten effect finish, with anti-graffiti coating applied to meet the expected tough demands of the area.

The £174M Myatts Field North regeneration scheme in Lambeth, London. The development comprises 808 new build homes, the modernisation and refurbishment of 172 existing homes and a new state-of-the-art community centre. as well as new landscaped park, new streets, green spaces and allotments. Furnitubes supplied concrete cubes and linear blocks from the Blyth range. The chosen colour was our standard light grey, in an acid etch finish, designed to complement the material palette used in the surrounding buildings and other hard landscape features.

Furnitubes’ Core concrete seating range was selected as part of the external landscaping works for the regeneration of Slough Ice Arena. Fifteen 4-person concrete benches were supplied in a white acid-etched finish, placed along the edge of the entrance walkway. The completed facility features a brand new extended ice rink, a climbing centre, café and gym as well as a new spectator seating area.

45 Millharbour is a residential development of two 14-storey towers and a 7-storey in the heart of London’s Docklands.The architects sought visually interesting, colourful and robust concrete seating for the area, making Mesa the ideal choice. Five seating assemblies have been created from 18 individual modules, cast in a common red concrete mix, but all unique in their configurations and designed to encourage social use of the seating. In addition to the Mesa products, 12 standard Blyth concrete cubes were supplied to the site in a contrasting terracotta-coloured mix, and placed in groups of three.

Enfield Town Park is a 9.5-hectare green open space in the heart of the Enfield Town, north London. Following a series of consultations with the public and park user groups, works were undertaken in to restore the lake, reinstate public access to it, repair the leaks, and add wildlife friendly features to the area. Furnitubes supplied two types of products to the scheme – concrete Blyth cube seating blocks and Parallel table and bench sets.

Furnitubes’ Zenith seating was chosen as it offered many different forms in a single coordinated range – traditional seats with backs, straight benches for placement against walls and curved benches for use around new feature tree planting. In addition, where low level gabions are used to deal with level changes Furnitubes’ Lapa benches were used to provide comfortable and cost effective seating solutions. In all, over 40 seating units were supplied to Mercia School, which opened to year 7 pupils in 2018 and will have a new intake for the following 4 years, when it will then operate at full capacity

Located in south west London, One Palace Road is a brand new development of one and two bedroom luxury apartments in this exciting, vibrant and upcoming area of the capital. At one side of the development, a small garden has been provided for the residents in which seating from one of our newest ranges – the ‘Veeva’ – has been installed. Selected for its contemporary style and robust design, the curved benches fit perfectly within the organic shapes of the planting beds and lawns, and the combination of galvanised steel and iroko hardwood complements the architectural language of this new development.

The £1.9 million construction project to rejuvenate the area around Tonbridge Town Lock included essential upgrades to flood walls of The River Medway. New street furniture was required for the riverbank walkway to provide a comfortable resting point for passers-by. Furnitubes supplied a number of contemporary Zenith seats which were all galvanised and PPC black with Iroko timber slats, along with corresponding Zenith litter bins. The coordinating Linx400 range of railings and bollards were also installed. Now open to the public has resulted in a beautiful open space & peaceful riverbank, providing a blissful haven for residents and visitors.

New development Colindale offices is recently home to London Borough of Barnet staff and community facilities. Furnitubes has supplied 6 table and bench sets and a further 7 independent benches from the RailRoad Inline range, with ‘Delta’ supports that can be readily bolted down to the decking of the new roof terrace located on the 4th floor. Eleven RailRoad planters have been placed in the gravel margins to perfectly compliment the nearby seating, and planted with contemporary box topiary balls.

Furnitubes' RailRoad design was the perfect choice for the roof-top of award-winning apartments Green Dragon House, with its modular design allowing seating and planters to be linked to create large structures that can be left freestanding, without the need to bolt down. The RailRoad products were complemented by the use of the Hollo range coffee tables, and a bespoke dining table with Hollo stools completed the suite of products supplied.

Downe House is an independent girls' day and boarding school near Newbury, Berkshire. Furnitubes has supplied new furnishings to complement the new learning piazza. Bespoke steel planters define the boundaries and create a sense of enclosure and Elements seating offers both staff and pupils an attractive place to sit and relax. All steelwork was supplied in a corten effect PPC finish to complement the window frames on the Learning Centre and seating timbers were treated with a UV protective finish so that they maintain good colouration for as long as possible on this very sunny site.

Ibstock Junior School is located in north Leicestershire. In recent years there has been a rise in the number of pupil intakes due to the amount of new housing development in the local area. Leicestershire County Council granted planning permission for an extension of the existing school to increase pupil capacity. The development comprises bright, energy efficient, modern teaching spaces. Furnitubes’ RailRoad Edge family was chosen as the external seating for the scheme, offering the opportunity for straight and curved configurations to suit the confined spaces available and designed to encourage social interaction amongst the pupils.

The new sports centre in Colchester provides top class facilities for both high level performance athletes as well as recreational users from the university. Aggregate-filled gabion mesh baskets define the borders between the soft and hard landscape areas to protect the planting and to also provide informal seating walls. Gabions themselves can be uncomfortable to sit on, but with the addition of Furnitubes’ Lapa benches they provide an economic seating solution used to provide short term perch seating for people meeting before using the sports centre facilities, or a place to briefly rest afterwards.

Host Student Apartments is a new development close to the University of Birmingham main campus. The development has a modest street frontage, bounded to both sides by commercial buildings on the busy Bristol Road, but the entrance opens up to two expansive internal courtyards and gardens. These outdoor areas comprise planted boundaries and small mown lawns. Furnitubes supplied two sets of products to the scheme – the heavy-duty Fordham seating and tables adjacent to the built-in barbeque and Lapa wall-top seating – all designed to encourage students to make maximum use of the outdoor spaces.

Furnitubes supplied a number of seating products to the regeneration of Heston Park with each product chosen to complement the different character areas within the park. Zenith picnic benches and tables were installed adjacent to the new swimming pool to offer external dining space for leisure centre visitors, with views out over the park. In the park itself, traditionally-styled New Forest seats and benches have been used, together with Core concrete tables and seating blocks in selected areas that also contained table tennis tables and play equipment.

The new Northamptonshire Police HQ development required various external seating at the front entrance to accommodate staff and visitors. Furnitubes' Mesa concrete blocks were ideal - whilst providing seating provision, the heavy duty blocks also act as a security barrier to the main entrance. Eight Zenith seats were supplied in a satin polish finish with WPC slats, as well as the addition of Contor Wall-Top seating platforms to the walls that surround the building.

Two ranges of Furnitubes’ products have been selected for the deck area at HereEast, London business space and headquarters for BT Sport. The RailRoad range of seating and integrated planters is employed where the furniture can be placed on a more or less permanent basis and Ribbon XL seating modules are used where they need to be moved more regularly. The unusual Ribbon XL kissing seat, with two backrests facing opposite directions, and the two-person high-back recliner are the initial products used. Steelwork was finished in a dark grey PPC to match the metalwork on the Broadcast Centre.

Elements XL benches were the ideal choice for Bligh’s Meadow, being deep enough to be stable without fixing down (and also allowing sitting on from both sides) and in weighing over 100kg each, heavy enough to not be readily moved by the public. Plate end support versions were chosen as this allowed a stencilised reinterpretation of the Bligh’s Meadow logo to be laser cut for brand reinforcement purposes. The plates were supplied in Corten steel, chemically weathered to provide a rich colouration and patina, and sealed to prevent the oxidation from washing off onto the paving and also staining on clothes.

Tobacco Dock is a Grade I listed warehouse in the Docklands area of London’s East End. Tobacco Dock is regularly used for large corporate and commercial events. The London Borough of Tower Hamlets required a solution to prevent any further damage to the buildings historic façade which had previously been spoiled by overcrowded parking. Furnitubes supplied 15 Pergone® gabion planters, installed to create welcoming gaps between parking bays alongside the building. The new installations have been planted with shrubs and decorative grasses as an attractive contrast to the surrounding built environment.

Begbroke Innovation Centre - the new multi-use building at Begbroke Science Park will help small and medium-sized science businesses take their projects to market, and provide facilities for researchers from the University. The open space outside the new building comprises of a number of straight and curved gabion walls, which on their own do not provide any suitable seating for users. Furnitubes supplied a number of Lapa gabion seat and bench platforms for the new building, which were installed on the gabion walls outside the facility offering new comfortable seating provision for everyone.

Brookfield is a recent acquisition that the University of Leicester is developing to offer supplementary and upgraded teaching facilities and office accommodation for support staff. When selecting seating for the scheme, landscape architects Barry Chinn Associates truly embraced the modular concept of RailRoad, so much so that the setting out of the perimeter planting beds was dictated by the seating sizes. Three separate seats were supplied, each comprising different radii modules that introduce a refreshing informality to the courtyard. The seating is further enhanced by the addition and informal placement of backrests, armrests and tablet surfaces.

Furnitubes' designers were set the challenge of devising a 3-part seating arrangement for Mark Street Gardens in Hackney. The seating would fit between existing lines of granite setts and alongside retained planting. The benches combine galvanised steel plate ends and sub frame, which sit well within this urban environment, and oiled iroko hardwood slats. Armrests have been carefully positioned to allow maximum usage of the seating area but also to deter rough sleeping which has been an issue at the gardens in the past. We wish Hackney well in their upcoming Green Flag application for Mark Street Gardens.