10 Furniture

STREET AND SITE FURNITURE
DESIGN OBJECTIVES
Elements placed in a landscape or streetscape for comfort, convenience, information, circulation control,
protection, and user enjoyment are collectively referred to as site furniture. Benches, bollards, signage, lighting,
tree grates, and utility boxes are but a few examples . Their design and placement require careful
consideration, involving several factors.
Appropriateness:
Appropriateness is a major objective in the design and placement of site furniture elements. It is important to
respond to the character of a site as well as its existing and proposed functions
Response to Setting:
Design should respond to the essential identity or inherent character of a place. Successful, lasting design will
flow out of its setting, continually responding to the needs of its users, meeting functional requirements, and
adapting to the environmental stresses affecting it.
DESIGN DETERMINANTS
Settings should be analyzed in terms of both cultural and physical factors.
Cultural factors include:
1. Social context
2. Political context
Physical factors include:
1. Climate
2. Natural physiography
3. The existing built environment
1. The cultural traditions and habits of particular user groups provide a basis for unique design departures that
can enliven the setting as a whole . Similarly, inattention to these habits and desires can foster negative
reaction in a neighborhood .
2. Design must balance the thoughtful examination of the natural, built, and social setting, with regulatory
concerns and politically-charged issues of maintenance and safety.
3. Particular landforms, vegetation, vistas, and other distinctive qualities that give an area its special character
should be considered in the selection, design and placement of site furnishings.
4. 4. Furniture elements should reflect the character of the built environment, be internally integrated between
themselves, and not promote a cluttered appearance.
5. The physical dimensions and movement characteristics of the human body are essential determinants for
the design of site furniture.
CULTURAL FACTORS
• Social Context: Attention to both the existing and proposed large-scale social setting will indicate who is
currently using the site and who will likely use the site in the future. The manner in which the site is being used
requires careful investigation.
• Political Context: Design ideas will evolve from thoughtful examination of the natural, built, and social
setting, but a complex and contradicting array of administrative, operational, regulatory, and legal issues
can compromise a design.
The nature of the setting, whether a public square or a corporate courtyard, implies major differences in the
choice of design elements. Public streets and spaces are susceptible to incidences of vandalism, and are also
periodically abandoned by revenue- starved local governments. Lastly, issues of long-term maintenance,
public safety, and circulation control require careful consideration.
PHYSICAL FACTORS
• Climate: Different climates and/or dramatic seasonal changes can significantly influence the design of site
furniture and the consequent comfort of the users.
• Physiography: Particular landforms, vegetation, and other distinctive qualities which give an area its special
regional or local character should be responded to in a congruent manner. Special attention should be
given to examining local landscapes and materials before translating program requirements into built
elements.
09 ARC 7.7 LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE NOTES (SHRUTHI A MURTHY & TRIVENI AMRNATH) DSCE 32
• Built Environment: Site furnishings can strengthen the link between a development and its surroundings, can
personalize the setting, and can enhance the positive aspects of the surrounding built landscape. Furniture
elements should reflect the character of the built environment, be internally integrated between
themselves, and not promote a cluttered appearance. There should be a balance between the visual
importance of individual furniture elements and their compatibility within the visual context of the setting. It
is important to incorporate the vistas, views, and visual composition of the entire site.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Individual site furniture elements should meet the following environmental criteria:
Temperature:
• Heat: The climate of a particular area is a key consideration when trying to determine whether permanent,
partial, or temporary shade and glare reduction measures are needed . Furniture elements, such as
permanent benches, should not be placed near extensive areas of paving or wall surfaces which reflect or
radiate excessive amounts of heat, unless adequately buffered by shade, etc . Benches, handles, and
handrails exposed to full sunlight should be nonmetallic and/or light in color to remain comfortable to the
touch .
• Cold: Site furniture should be placed to take advantage of natural sun traps in cool weather regions,
thereby extending the usefulness of the site. Materials which absorb and radiate heat are advantageous in
cold climates.
Precipitation:
• Rain: In regions subject to rain and/or snowfall, some of the site furniture used for sitting should be placed in
sheltered locations. Benches should drain well ; they could be constructed of no absorptive materials to
promote rapid drying . They should also be located to take advantage of the warming effects of sunlight.
Materials selected for use in humid climates should be naturally decay and fungus-resistant, or specially
treated to minimize mildew, rot, and consequent staining.
• Wind: Site furniture (benches, tables, etc.) should be located to minimize any negative gusting impacts
upon users in areas subject to strong prevailing winds. Patterns of snow drifting should be studied to minimize
its accumulation on furniture. Furniture can be located to take advantage of natural cooling breezes in
warm climates. Trees can provide shade and, to some extent, control the movement of air.
• Light: Site furniture should take advantage of the quality and character of light available on the site.
Wherever possible, minimize the glare from light fixtures and intense sunlight. Recognizing that light
conditions change both daily and seasonally, locate furniture and especially outdoor signs in such a way as
to minimize the glare caused by low sun angles on wet, frosted, or otherwise reflective surfaces .
• Noise: Site furniture may be focused toward pleasant sources such as the sounds of songbirds, children,
street performers, and the like. Reciprocally, undesirable sounds can be blocked. Sound barrier walls, earth
mounds, and other techniques of noise control should be considered.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
The selection and design of site furniture should take climatic issues of temperature, and precipitation into
consideration.
1. In hot climates, furniture elements should be nonmetallic or light in color, and placed away from surfaces
that reflect or radiate excessive amounts of heat .
2. In cool climates, furniture should be dark in color, placed to take advantage of natural sun traps and avoid
areas where snow is stockpiled.
3. In wet climates, benches should drain well and be constructed of nonabsorptive materials to promote rapid
drying.
4. Materials selected for use in humid climates should be naturally decay and fungus-resistant, or specially
treated to minimize mildew, rot, and staining .
OPERATIONAL FACTORS
Human Body Dimensions and Movement:
The physical dimensions and movement characteristics of the human body are essential determinants for the
design of all types of site furniture. These common denominators set all working distances and operational
dimensions in the design of furniture components and their aggregate layout.
Regulatory Standards: Site furniture must also conform to a host of regulatory standards imposed by municipal,
state, and federal governments. Typical standards deal with required light intensities for pedestrians and
vehicles, light fixture mounting heights, the proximity of trees to utility poles and underground utilities, traffic
signalization, signage and control systems, intersection setbacks, wheelchair ramp gradients and placement,
the height of mailboxes, the width of vehicular lanes, turning radii, curbside usage, and even the size of
garbage cans.
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
Selection Process: Key factors in the process of either selecting ready-made or custom designing elements are:
• Availability of each unit,
• Maintenance requirements,
• Initial and lifetime costs, and
• Whether the solution will be consistent with the overall design of the project.
Design Elements
• Seating
• Shelters
• Convenience elements: zones, drinking fountains, bike racks, trash receptacles.
• Information: directional, locational, identification and display.
• Lighting
• Generic examples like bollards, kerbs, ramps, handrail.traffic control and protection.
• Surface utility elements.
• Seasonal elements.
• Special features.
CIRCULATION IN LANDSCAPE
Circulation as ordering mechanism
CIRCULATION
PEDESTRIAN AUTOMOBILE
Circulation as ordering mechanism

• Movement
• Material
• Design
• Linkage
• Visual system
• Spatial experience
• Temporal experience
Circulation as movement
Character of flow – Direct ,indirect & fluid

Imparts a sense of immediacy & purpose
Creates urgency & sometimes tension
Efficient travel , imparts feeling of leisure.
Character of flow - Meandering
Imparts a pensive melancholy feeling
Character of flow – Circuitous & angular

Imparts energy
Makes us stop & linger
NATURE OF FLOW – ASCENT & DESCENT

Ascent
• Focus upwards
• Struggle slightly to the top but retain a feeling of accomplishment
Descent
• Focus is downward
• Sensitive to ground surface,
• Pavement material to be selected carefully
Nature of flow – Rhythmic intersections in rhythmic fashion
• Flows are normally rhythmic in nature
• Intersections also help in controlling the rate of movement & serve as events
• Landmarks serve as memorable spaces along line of flow
Nature & rate of flow - (intersections in rhythmic fashion & less conflicts)
• Dendritic - Dispersing Flow disperses & Creates a feeling of abandonment
• Dendritic – Coalescing Flow reaches a crescendo
• Rate of flow – Distance to be travelled.Time available & Sensual stimuli
Human tendencies
• Movement towards goals
• Paths taken are dependent on weather
• Objects at eye level attract senses
• Intermediate spaces create a pleasant atmosphere
• Spaces should neither convey extreme sense of enclosure or freedom
• Avoidance of steep grades, unsafe, uncomfortable & disordered places
• Even minor changes in environment alert our movement
Circulation – design
• Use
• Form
• Safety
• Scale
• Directionality
• Material & joints
Circulation - material
• Type of traffic
• Amount of traffic
• Weather conditions
• Surface temperatures
• Maintenance
• Edge characteristics
Same material different treatment. Change in material alerts the user to change in usage space
Circulation - material
Ecological relationship
SAFETY MATERIAL & JOINTS
Spatial character
• Character of space & circulation system must follow a compatible form
• Formal spaces imply on symmetrical approach and vice versa for informal spaces
• Large scale spaces have confined & small scale approach & small scaled spaces have confining but
expansive approach
Temporal experience
• Progressive
• Progression could be formal, regular, ordered & planned or vice versa.
• Entry statement prepares viewer psychologically & physiologically
Circulation – Temporal experience
Formal Casual
ENTRY STATEMENT
Entry statement prepares viewer psychologically & physiologically
AUTOMOBILE CIRCULATION
• Defines potential of the area
• Forms a system of social contact
• Adequate storage of automobiles
• Serves a varied number & type of vehicles
• Accessed from infinite number of entry & exit points
• Should have well designed access to pedestrian systems
• Facilitation of movement with speed, but minimize travel time and maximize safety
AUTOMOBILE CIRCULATION & HIERARCHY
FREEWAY
EXPRESSWAY
MAJOR ARTERIALS
MINOR ARTERIALS
COLLECTOR STREET
SUB COLLECTOR
LOCAL STREET
CUL-DE-SACS
AUTOMOBILE CIRCULATION
FREEWAY – Ideal characteristics

Varies with region Inter urban linkage
Regional continuity Grade separated intersection
Limited access Consistent flow
Service roads for ingress & egress & depressed in urban areas
MAJOR ARTERIALS
• Links various parts of urban areas
• Channelized intersections
• Parking prohibited
• Ideally separate lane for mass transit
• Links urban areas & forms boundaries
• Planting strips on either side with detached walkways
MINOR ARTERIALS – Ideal characteristics

• Secondary roads
• Link collector streets or arterials
• Signals & signage at major intersections
• No parking
• Limited access points
• Buildings to have adequate set backs
• Planting strips & Detached walkways
COLLECTOR STREET & SUB COLLECTOR STREET

Ideal characteristics
• Links residential streets & town arterials
• Collects neighbourhood traffic
• Signage at intersections
• Detached walkways with planting strips
• Provides access to cul-de-sacs
• Parking courts
• Nonconductive to through traffic
• Detached walks preferable
LOCAL STREET & CUL-DE-SACS

• Provides access to residences & cul-de-sacs
• Non conductive to through traffic
• Parking permitted
• Ideal to avoid layouts which would neccesiate through traffic between collectors
• Access to residence
• Prohibition of through traffic
• Street open only at one end
• Not to be very deep in order to satisfy emergency needs
AUTOMOBILE CIRCULATION – functions

1. Social function
2. Safety
3. Efficiency
4. Ecological relationship
5. Automobile storage
6. Transition from roadway
7. Approach to parking area
8. Automobile parking
9. Access to pedestrian way
10. Vehicular service
11. Commercial or public or residential area
CONNECTION BETWEEN THE DRIVEWAY & PARKING STALLS
Building approach, traffic dropoff & pickup & parking bays

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STREET AND SITE FURNITURE

Circulation as ordering mechanism

Circulation as ordering mechanism

Character of flow – Direct ,indirect & fluid

Creates urgency & sometimes tension

Efficient travel , imparts feeling of leisure.

Character of flow – Circuitous & angular

Makes us stop & linger

NATURE OF FLOW – ASCENT & DESCENT

• Dendritic - Dispersing Flow disperses & Creates a feeling of abandonment

• Rate of flow – Distance to be travelled.Time available & Sensual stimuli

Circulation – Temporal experience

FREEWAY – Ideal characteristics

MINOR ARTERIALS – Ideal characteristics

COLLECTOR STREET & SUB COLLECTOR STREET

LOCAL STREET & CUL-DE-SACS

AUTOMOBILE CIRCULATION – functions

CONNECTION BETWEEN THE DRIVEWAY & PARKING STALLS

Building approach, traffic dropoff & pickup & parking bays

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