STREET FURNITURE IN HIGH-DENSITY URBAN AREAS: Geometry, Ergonomic, and CNC Production PDF

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Geometry, Ergonomic, Digital Design and Production of Furniture for Public Spaces Research Studies of Street Furniture Design in Urban Areas IND307 FURNITURE DESIGN Summer 2019 Assist. Prof. Dr. Siniša Prvanov Abstract Street furniture refers to objects and facilities located in urban public spaces ...

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Geometry, Ergonomic, Digital Design and Production of Furniture for Public Spaces Research Studies of Street Furniture Design in Urban Areas

IND307 FURNITURE DESIGN

Summer 2019

Assist. Prof. Dr. Siniša Prvanov

Abstract Street furniture refers to objects and facilities located in urban public spaces that provide various services and functions to the public. It is one of the essential elements of the urban environment that contributes to humans and their activities. Although comparatively small in scale, street furniture plays a significant role, along with other urban landscape elements such as architecture and urban space, in determining the quality of an urban environment and in representing the image of a city. Of all the urban landscape elements, street furniture has the closest contact and interaction with humans. The role of street furniture has been emphasized in developed parts of the world (e.g., the United States, Europe, and Japan) even during its early stages, but is just beginning to gain in importance in other places (e.g., China). Under the influence of rapid urbanization and globalization, global warming, and a growing emphasis on humanism, urban landscape design (including street furniture) is facing unparalleled challenges and requirements in the 21st century. Street furniture design involves a wide range of concerns, including function, environment, and meaning. However, comprehensive studies on street furniture are rare. Typically, street furniture design is only briefly mentioned in urban landscape studies, or as a technical listing in design guidelines. In recent years, various street furniture studies specifically focusing on one area (e.g., identity or aesthetics) have been carried out, but the correlations between different concerns have been neglected. In accordance with the aforementioned idea, this study investigates different perspectives of street furniture, and proposes comprehensive design principles. This study includes reviews of and investigations into urban landscape and street furniture design. Through the application and extension of urban landscape design principles, and the integration and reorganization of street furniture design principles suggested by relevant studies, a rudimentary series of principles of street furniture design was first drafted. The design principles were subsequently examined by case studies of street furniture design in different places (e.g., United States, Japan, and China) and collaborative streetscape and street furniture design projects in Hong Kong, in which the design principles were implemented, evaluated, and consolidated and based on this some new principles and details were suggested.

Finally this study puts forth a model that explains the principles of street furniture design from different perspectives. Based on a people-oriented premise, the model comprises three main principles: function, unity, and identity. This model discusses the importance, reasons for and details of the premise, principles and sub-principles, and also the correlations between them, with examples from case studies and collaborative design projects. These principles are equally important, and coordinate and interflow with one another. The fulfilment of one principle can contribute to the achievement of the others, and vice versa. The model of principles of street furniture design was created to be flexibly applied in different situations. Rather than listing every single design detail of every type of street furniture, the model instead presents all possible areas of concern that should be taken into account when designing street furniture. After the model of principles of street furniture design is established, this study discusses and concludes with how the design principles can be implemented in designing street furniture in real situations. This study investigates how street furniture can be designed according to its location by implementing the principles of street furniture design, and how street furniture design can be improved by comparing real situations and theoretical principles. Through the comparisons (differences), the limitations of street furniture design in the given areas (i.e., urban renewal districts—densely populated old urban areas) are addressed. The limitations are divided into three main categories: rooted constraints, external constraints, and internal problems. The reason behind these limitations and their possible solutions are then suggested according to the principles of street furniture design. The methods of the implementation of the design principles, and the comparison between real situation and design principles can be applied in designing street furniture in different places. Through the establishment and discussion of the model of principles of street furniture design, this study functions to introduce an appropriate and complete understanding (including the nature, importance, functions, and design principles) of street furniture, to rectify the misinterpretation and reinforce the concept of street furniture design. The study provides a comprehensive reference of street furniture design for different parties (policymakers, designers, and the public) to create quality street furniture. Based on an appropriate and complete understanding of street furniture provided by this study, further investigation on specific locations or principles can be done based on relevant studies.

CONTENTS Abstract Contents ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Chapter1 Introduction 1.1 Background 1.2 Research Problems 1.3 Research Aims and Objectives 1.4 Scope of the Study 1.5 Significance and Contribution of the Study _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Chapter 2 Literature Review: Street Furniture 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Street Furniture: General Concepts 2.2.1 Definitions 2.2.2 History and Development 2.2.3 Functions, Natures, and Characteristics

Basic Street Furniture as Public Art

Street Furniture as Part of the Urban Landscape 2.2.4 Classification of Street Furniture

Classification According to their Function About Infrastructure and Landscape Classification According to Their Replacement in the Urban Space Classification According to Their Mounting Classification of Maintence and Responsible Institutions Classification According to Their Production Classification in Relation With the Infrastructure Summary 2.3

Street Furniture: Overview of Design Principles 2.3.1

Functional and Technical Concerns

2.3.2

Aesthetic Concerns

2.3.3

Environmental Concerns

2.3.4

Humanist Concerns

2.4

Summary: Research Direction

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Chapter 3 Methodology 3.1

Introduction

3.2

Overview 3.2.1

Identifying and Confining Research Direction

3.2.2

Establishing Design Principles

3.2.3

Examining Design Principles

3.2.4

Finalizing and Proposing Design Principles

3.3

Application and Extension of the Principles of Urban Landscape Design

3.4

Integration and Reorganization of the Principles of Street Furniture Design of Relevant Studies

3.5

Case Studies

Athens, Greece Belgrade, Republic of Serbia Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Singapore Others 3.6

Collaborative Streetscape and Street Furniture Design Projects

3.7

Summary

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Chapter 4 Urban Landscape 4.1

Introduction

4.2

Urban Landscape: General Concepts 4.2.1 Definitions 4.2.2 Classifications 4.2.3 Natures and Characteristics 4.2.4 Creation

4.3

Urban Landscape: Review of the Development of Design Theories 4.3.1 Before the 20th Century 4.3.2 The 20th Century 1900s–1940s 4.3.3 The 20th Century 1950s–1970s

4.3.4 The 20th Century 1980s–1990s 4.3.5 The 21st Century Onwards (Today and the Future) 4.3.6 Summary 4.4

Urban Landscape: General Design Principles 4.4.1 People-oriented 4.4.2 Time and Movement 4.4.3 Diversity 4.4.4 Unity 4.4.5 Identity and Regionalism 4.4.6 Sustainable Development

4.5

Urban Landscape: Urban Space (Open Space/Public Space) 4.5.1 Open Space/Public Space in Urban Landscape 4.5.2 The Importance and Re-emphasis of Street

4.6 Summary: The Application and Extension of the Knowledge of Urban Landscape Design to Street Furniture Design ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Chapter 5 Principles of Street Furniture Design 5.1

Introduction

5.2

The Model

5.3

People-oriented 5.3.1 Flexibility 5.3.2 Sustainable Development and Green Design 5.3.3 Universal and Non-handicapping Design 5.3.4 Citizenship Education

5.3.5 Public Participation 5.4

Function 5.4.1 Basic

Usage Comfort Quantity Accessibility Arrangement Aesthetics 5.5 Process of Formation of Street Furniture 5.5.1 Design Process 5.5.2 Production Stage 5.5.3 Location Stage 5.5.4 Usage Stage and Mountining Process 5.6 Street Furniture and Vandalism 5.6.1 Factors Causing Vandalism 5.6.2 Types of Vandalism 5.6.3 Vandal Proof Materials 5.6.4 Effects of Vandalism on Design Process 5.7 General Criteria in The Design of Street Furniture 5.7.1 Functional Criteria 5.7.2 Urban Environment Criteria 5.7.3 Physiological Criteria

Comfort Variation Safety

5.7.4 Communication Criteria 5.7.5 Psychological Criteria 5.7.6 Technical Criteria 5.7.7 Material Criteria

Metal Wood Concrete Plastic Natural Stones Glass Ceramic 5.7.8 Production Method Criteria 5.7.9 Economic Criteria 5.8

Unity 5.8.1 Compatibility Between Different Types of Street Furniture 5.8.2 Compatibility Between Street Furniture and Surrounding Environment 5.8.3 Compatibility Between Street Furniture and Time

5.9.1

Identity 5.9.1 History, Culture, and Tradition 5.9.2 Urban Life and Behavior 5.9.3 New Development and New Culture 5.9.4 Geographic Environment and Climate

5.9.2

Summary 5.9.1 The Correlations 5.9.2 Re-understanding Furniture Design

for Public Space

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Chapter 6 Ergonomic in Furniture Design for Public Space 6.1 Dynamic of Human Sitting

Basics Users with Disabilities Seating Design Visual Clarity Dimensions Street Benches Design Problem Design Solution Design of Seating Elements Materials and Production Techniques 6.3 “Sit-Stand” Public Seating

Basics Passenger Waiting Design Issues Of-Line Transit Facilities Passengers Amenities Sizing and Ergonomic Bus Shelters Classification of Bus Shelters Materials Bus Shelter Design Requirements

Bus Shelters and Other Facilities Seating Lighting Telephone Boots Transport Information 6.3 Interactive Public Seating 6.5 Auditorium Public Seating

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Chapter 7 Geometry in Furniture Design for Public Space 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Orthogonal Geometry in Street Furniture Design

Linear Design Circular Design Units and Modularity 7.3 Three Dimensional Design of Street Furniture

Rectangular Forms Angled Forms Circular Irregular and Organic Forms Parametric Forms

_________________________________________________________________________

Chapter 8 Materials

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Chapter 9 Digital Design and Production of Furniture for Public Space

__________________________________________________________________________ Chapter 10 Implementation of Principles of Street Furniture Design: Limitations and Possible Solutions of Street Furniture Design in Densely Populated Old Urban Areas 10.1

Introduction

10.2

Athens as a Case Study

10.3

Implementation of Principles of Street Furniture Design

10.4

Rooted Constraints

10.4.1 The Limitation

Undesirable Environment 10.4.2 Reasons Behind Early Development Difficulties of Redevelopment and Renewal 10.4.3 Possible Solutions

Street Furniture as a Linkage Simple and Consistent with the Surroundings

10.5

External Constraints

10.5.1 The Limitation Limited Space 10.5.2 Reasons Behind

Early Development Difficulties of Redevelopment and Renewal 10.5.3 Possible Solutions Space Saving Design 10.6

Internal Problems

10.6.1 The Limitation

Incomplete Physiological Function Incompatibility Characterless 10.6.2 Reasons Behind

Insufficient Research Dispersive Responsibilities of Street Furniture Mass Purchase and Mass Production 10.6.3 Possible Solutions

Policy Adjustment Compatibility Identity Exhaustive Research Summary: Theory vs. Reality ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Chapter 11 Conclusion

11.1

Summary of the Study

11.2

Position and Contribution

11.3

Future Works

Appendix Collaborative Streetscape and Street Furniture Design Project: Shanghai Street References

Chapter 1 Introduction

1.1

Background

Street furniture refers to the objects and facilities located in urban public spaces that provide various services and functions to the public. It is one of the important elements of the urban landscape that contributes to humans and their activities. Although comparatively small in scale, street furniture plays a significant role, along with other urban landscape elements such as architecture and urban space, in determining the quality of an urban environment and urban life, and in representing the image of a city. Of all the urban landscape elements, street furniture has the closest contact and interaction with people. It is the urban landscape element which both residents and visitors experience most in the urban environment (e.g., different urban spaces). For residents, they make use of street furniture once they are out of their dwellings in their everyday life. For the visitors, they spend most of their time in urban spaces and make use of the street furniture when they are visiting a city. As an important urban landscape element, street furniture is a complex system and contains a wide range of concerns. Besides providing various uses to satisfy the different needs of users, street furniture design includes the consideration of the total urban landscape in creating a comfortable and convenient urban environment. Street furniture should be designed co-ordinately with one another, its surrounding environment and the development of its locations. Also, welldesigned street furniture, with other urban landscape elements, can successfully represent the characteristics and the image of a city.

“Street furniture plays an important part in establishing the identity of the town centre in the minds of visitors and residents” (Bakewell & Partners, 1999, Introduction section, par. 2) Quality of urban space can be evaluated with the quality of life that will be realized in this space. Citizens wish to realize their activities in a public space in a well-planned and comfortable environment. Within these activities, in other words in activities such as transportation, shopping and recreation, many different needs come out with physiological, sociological and aesthetic basics. These needs that appear in public space can be met mostly with street furniture. In an urban space every element that is presented to common usage of the society and that is stable, mobile or semi-mobile, and that is visual and functional is considered as street furniture. The term street furniture covers benches or other forms of seating, bollards and posts, kiosks, drinking fountains, planters, bus shelters, information signs, lighting fixtures, phone booths, etc. Today, to see street

furniture as a whole and intensify on this idea is becoming a design goal. However, especially urban elements that have an industrial product identity sometimes can not unit with each other and each of them is solved by itself. So, within the wholeness of a City, in the design of street furniture gaps can be detected in the mean of basic principles. The main goal of this website is to constitute these basic principles about the design and production of street furniture that can supplement each other and integrity. Before considering the street furniture as an industrial product with its design dimension, its place in human life, evolution, development and scope should be explained. Definitions of street furniture till today will be considered and classifications about its usage field and scope will be made. Meanwhile, its acceptance as an industrial product in the world, and its development will be explained.

1.2

Research Problems

Regarding the importance and functions of street furniture, it is essential for different parties (e.g., policymakers, designers, and the public) to understand the importance, functions and design criteria of street furniture so as to create quality street furniture, and hence a quality urban environment and urban life. To achieve this, a comprehensive study of street furniture design is required. Different studies of street furniture design have been done. However, comprehensive studies are rarely found. The studies tend to be sketchy or specific to some areas. For many studies, street furniture is discussed as a supporting role of the urban landscape. For example, street furniture is just briefly mentioned in an urban landscape design study, in which the functions and design principles of street furniture are not described and explained sufficiently. Some principles are listed without in-depth discussions. Without clear explanations and examples, designers are prevented from achieving the principles. For some studies, street furniture is intensively investigated in one specific area. Thus, the principles and concerns of street furniture design are dispersed with limited discussion in different studies. For example, some design guidelines focus on the technical aspect (i.e., the dimensions, the choice of materials, the installation methods, etc.) of street furniture. Some focus on the aesthetic aspect of street furniture by recording street furniture designs in different places. The coordination between different design principles is neglected in these studies. It creates difficulties for designers and those in related professions to understand the equal importance of different principles and the integration among them. They may create street furniture by only focusing on one area without the consideration of different aspects as a whole.

These general or dispersed studies limit different parties from understanding street furniture design in a complete way, and cause misinterpretation on the importance, functions, and design criteria of street furniture. The studies have also failed to illustrate the importance of every principle as well as the mutual and multiple effects in their operation. As a result, street furniture may be designed without a balanced concern for dif...