Context

A new scheme designed by BCP Council has transformed part of Bournemouth town centre into a contemporary open space designed to be more welcoming to shoppers and visitors.

A central circular step-free paving feature, which includes public art celebrating Bournemouth's literary history, encourages people to use the area as a social space.

Products supplied

Curved RailRoad seating and planter configurations reinforce the circular theme, together with large circular patterns in the surrounding resin-bound paving.

Furnitubes’ RailRoad range was the ideal choice in this situation. Wide bench platforms that can be used from both sides (allowing people to face in or outwards), with backrests for additional comfort on sections of the seating, occasional armrests to aid less able-bodied people in sitting down, and integrated planters to introduce some welcome greenery to the area – all achieved using standard modules.

Five separate seating / planter configurations were supplied in total – three comprising three seating modules (two with curved backrests) and two with two seats – providing capacity for at least 24 people at any one time, and even more when the bench sections are used simultaneously from both sides.

Although these configurations would normally be supplied freestanding, the pronounced falls at Beale Place necessitated seating supports to be set into the ground to take up the level variations. The ‘Loop’ circular post support is perfect for such situations and has been installed into an F1 ground socket so that the seating can also be easily removed in the future, for example for large vehicular access or to open up the space for special events.

Steelwork is hot dip galvanised for maximum corrosion resistance in this maritime environment, with a green polyester powder coating on top, and timbers treated with a UV-protective finish to delay the fading effects of the sun.