Discover how secure, certified and space-efficient cycle parking infrastructure supports active travel growth, sustainability goals and user confidence.

Discover how smarter litter prevention, innovative bin design and solar-powered smart bins help keep public outdoor spaces clean, safe and attractive.

When you are considering the most effective approach to the street furniture design and specification for outdoor public spaces, there is no shortage of options in terms of styles, colours, form and materials. But one of the most important factors to think about at an early stage is whether you choose standard range products, completely bespoke products or a modular street furniture system.There are advantages to all three approaches, but modular street furniture is increasingly becoming the go-to solution for developers, site owners and landscape architects for a wide variety of reasons. This is reflected in the rapid growth of this sector in recent years, with several exciting and innovative modular street furniture systems being developed by internationally renowned designers, many of which are available in the UK from Bailey Street Furniture Group (BSFG).What are modular street furniture systems?When equipping an outdoor space to ensure it meets the desired usage and accessibility objectives, decisions will usually need to be made about products such as seating, benches, planters, litter bins, cycle parking and even elements such as canopies where sheltered areas are required.Modular systems bring some or all these elements under a single range, purpose designed for consistency and easy integration into spaces to meet the required aesthetic goals. Modularity means, therefore, street furniture that is designed and manufactured in smaller parts or modules which can be combined to meet the brief.What are the benefits of modular street furniture systems?In short, modular street furniture systems can provide greater flexibility, cost-effectiveness and sustainability benefits versus standard range and bespoke alternatives, allowing urban planners to create dynamic and adaptable public spaces. This is primarily because these systems use interchangeable units that can be configured in various ways to suit different needs and environments – a standard design platform that can be tailored accordingly.Extensive design and creative possibilitiesMulti-functional design - One of the biggest advantages of modular systems is the ability to tailor the specification of products without the need to commission bespoke solutions. That means features can be integrated into individual street furniture units with ease. For, example, seating units can incorporate matching planters, benches can include power outlets and device-charging ports and canopies can include lighting.An example of how this can benefit projects is Brunswick Park at the University of Manchester. Here, BSFG was tasked with providing a tailored modular solution for seating in an attractive park setting. This took the form of the Cobra Bench, which was chosen due to its modular form and contemporary take on the traditional timber bench design, with additional requests accommodated by BSFG. These included non-standard backrests and armrests, along with FSC Iroko timber to match elements used elsewhere on the scheme.Unlocking creative potential - With many of the leading systems, standardised modular components are designed to be combined in numerous ways. As a result, unique and aesthetically pleasing spaces can be created using modular systems without the higher costs and longer lead times associated with fully bespoke products.An excellent example of this is the Cubik range by leading Italian street furniture manufacturer City Design. Available from the Bailey Streetscene division of BSFG, this is a collection of modular cube-shaped elements that are designed to be joined together, composed of folded steel sheet bases, to which seats are mechanically attached. Seats can be complemented by planters and tables for easy construction of eye-catching street furniture arrangements, with the scope for use in outdoor spaces as well as for indoor applications.Better utilisation of space - In projects where standard street furniture products cannot accommodate the needs of the site due to incompatible sizes – too large or too small – modular street furniture can often provide the solution because it can often be configured with L-shaped elements, or products that can be connected to form continuous arrangements.An excellent example of this is the new CIRCUS range from renowned Danish manufacturer out-sider. This provides the opportunity to create dynamic and circular social seating in public spaces in a modular form that offers the scope to build varying levels in height as well as extend laterally. This range will be available in the UK from BSFG in the new year.Scope for layout flexibility and adaptability - Modular units can be rearranged easily, or expanded where availability of the range permits, to suit the changing needs of an outdoor space. That means, for example, that modular seating can often be configured differently or even moved to a new location on the site, such as for the addition of new facilities on the site or a temporary change of use to accommodate a large public gathering or festival. It can also be scaled relatively easily to provide more seating and other facilities as the site’s usage increases.Supply chain and project management advantagesStreamlined design and manufacturing -As with all off-site construction approaches, modular street furniture components are manufactured to a tested and refined design. This means products are produced to a consistent quality in a significantly reduced manufacturing timeframe versus custom-made street furniture solutions without necessarily compromising creativity in the project.Shorter lead times - The standardised nature of the modules means less time is required for planning, manufacturing and installation. That means the extended time frame normally involved with bespoke products, largely due to the extra design process and the sourcing of non-standard materials or components, is avoided, helping projects meet tight deadlines.Creating more sustainable outdoor spacesReduced maintenance over lifetime installation - One of the major benefits that modular systems have to clients responsible for the management of the outdoor space is that single modules or sections can be replaced more easily if they become damaged. This saves time, labour and material costs over the furniture's lifespan.Whole life benefits - When one unit of a modular street furniture assembly becomes damaged, it can be repaired with relative ease. By enabling the replacement of individual parts or units, modular systems minimise waste by avoiding the need to dispose of an entire group of furniture due to localised damage.This is beneficial from a carbon cost perspective over the service life of the street furniture, reducing waste and the emissions associated with total replacement and providing an extended lifespan.Choose more eco-friendly materials - As with many types of street furniture, modular systems are often manufactured using more environmentally sustainable materials. The CIRCUS range, for example, is formed using a PE (polyethylene) base which contains up to 93% recycled materials and is 100% recyclable up to seven times, along with an HPL top manufactured from 100% recycled content.However, there may also be the opportunity to tailor the specification of modular systems further to achieve sustainability goals. This could include choosing optional materials designed to extend the lifespan of the street furniture, such as Corten steel, or features like integrated PV (photovoltaic) panels to power charging points and lighting using renewable energy.  Ability to incorporate green features - Public spaces where the availability of landscaped planting areas is limited can be designed to provide a more biodiverse environment by incorporating planters into the street furniture design and specification. This is why many modular systems can be configured to include planters, seamlessly integrated with seating, litter bins and other elements.The Inspira Modular Planting System from Bailey Streetscene is a fine example. This is a flexible, modular retaining wall system which allows raised planting schemes to be created in virtually any location, boosting the presence of flora and fauna and encouraging biodiversity. The system is designed for rapid installation, providing a cost-effective solution versus bespoke planters to enhance the sustainability of developments, particularly sites in densely populated urban areas.One urban development that has benefited from the incorporation of Inspira planters in Manchester College. Here, the aim for the external area to the front of the new contemporary building in the heart of the city was to create an accessible and inviting space for students. BSFG worked with the client to maximise use of the space available with several Inspira planter configurations, with additional features including tiered planter beds and integrated cantilever seating.Options for modular shelter systems tooWhilst modularity is mostly associated with seating, benches and planters, the benefits of modular systems also extend to shelter systems. BSFG offers such as solution in its Heron Modular Shelter System, a versatile cantilevered shelter featuring powder-coated steel beams at the rear supporting a tilted flat roof clad with multiwall polycarbonate.Heron’s is designed and manufactured in a way that offers customisation in terms of its size and colour, but also in that it can be configured into different shapes, including an L-shape. That means if can provide a shelter solution for numerous applications, including to provide covered cycle parking, a smoking/vaping shelter or a covered walkway.Three installations of the Heron shelter provide an excellent demonstration of the versatility of the system. In the Ada Belfield Centre & Belper Library development in Derbyshire, a standard sized Heron shelter was installed to protect a small cycle parking area from the elements. A shelter was commissioned for the same purpose but on a much larger scale at the Fosse Park retail park in Leicester – an installation that shares the same aesthetics as the Belper project but provides a much longer span.One of the latest Heron modular shelter projects shows how it works in a L-shape arrangement. Recently installed at the Vernon Stockton Seed Processing Centre at Delamere in Cheshire. The system provided a shelter with a cantilevered design that was customised to wrap around the building’s corner to increase the sheltered area for operational use.To find out more about modular street furniture solutions available from BSFG visit our website – www.bsfg.co.uk.

Accessibility is more than compliance — it’s about designing places where everyone feels they belong. Discover how BSFG’s CPD helps shape inclusive, people-centred public spaces.

High quality and the provision of amenities are the key drivers for the creation of commercially successful office buildings and developments in what has become a polarised property sector.This is evident from a recent report by CBRE, one of the world’s largest real estate firms. Its assessment is that a new office market is emerging in which quality is increasingly being sought by occupiers, even to the point of demand is outstripping supply in London and the South East of England. This contrasts with the market for lower grade office space where there is an over-supply, and this has driven the trend for repurposing and converting offices which have become difficult to let or sell into uses such as residential or hotels.There are a variety of reasons why businesses are increasingly attracted to quality and amenitised offices. Amongst the most important is a desire to create an attractive place to work, where employees are engaged, productive and enjoy the social interaction that they lack through hybrid working or working from home (WFH) full time.Meeting the needs of almost 12 million office workersThe CBRE estimates that there are around 11.8 million people in the UK working in office-based roles. And whilst there has been a noticeable decrease in the proportion of these employees working in the office full-time as the hybrid working model is increasingly adopted, there is evidence to suggest that some workers actually prefer being in the office at least some of the time – particularly younger people.A vibrant office environment is, therefore, favoured by people who like the fact that they can interact with colleagues. Hence why many office buildings are designed to prioritise employee wellbeing, collaboration, and comfort, featuring a range of amenities including gyms, relaxation rooms, pet-friendly zones and well-equipped communal areas – facilities that can contribute to the long term success of a business by helping to attract and retain talent.Making outdoor spaces a part of daily office lifeOne important dimension to office buildings with high user satisfaction, and one that is often overlooked, is the provision of high quality outdoor spaces. Giving careful consideration to the surrounding site occupied by an office building can open up new possibilities for spaces that may be underused or where there is an opportunity for repurposing.But it is not just ground level areas that can be developed into attractive and usable outdoor spaces for office users. Higher level terraces and roofs can be utilised too where feasible or where there is no other space available, such as in city centre locations.This is why Bailey Street Furniture Group (BSFG) is regularly approached by office developers and site managers or owners to advise on creative solutions for outdoor areas.Why access to the outdoors during our working day mattersThe design of many offices now means users can enjoy greater availability of natural light and a comfortable internal environment thanks to modern air conditioning and, in some cases, natural ventilation systems. But these solutions do not have the same health and wellbeing benefits as being outdoors.According to a 2025 report by Loughborough University, the average UK person spends just 7% of their time or 86 minutes outdoors during the working week. This suggests the majority of office workers have very limited opportunity to be outdoors and this could be affecting both their physical and mental health.For example, being able to get outdoors for part of the working day helps to reduce stress and anxiety, as well as improve overall mood. This contributes to helping workers feel more refreshed and less sluggish, boosting energy levels and cognitive function, fostering creativity and enabling a deeper focus on tasks.There are physical health advantages too, particularly in being exposed to natural light as a way to increase vitamin D levels. This is proven to contribute to improved immune function and overall physical health.All this means that greater access to outdoor space can contribute to the creation of a workforce that is more productive, more collaborative, happier and better positioned to problem-solve.How to utilise street furniture to create attractive outdoor spaces at officesThere is no one-size-fits-all approach to the design and equipping of outdoor spaces within office sites. Decisions about the types of equipment installed, such as seating, litter bins, planters and tables, will ultimately be determined by factors including the available space, how its use is envisaged, the number of users it will need to accommodate, aesthetics and budget.For inspiration on how to reimagine outdoor spaces, we can look to the transformations and creative designs adopted in many other public and commercial building projects such as schools, purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) buildings and universities, as well as projects to improve the quality of the public realm.At office sites where there is sufficient paved, cobbled or tarmacked areas, there is excellent scope to use planters, tables and seating to create an appealing informal space. BSFG has provided street furniture for a wide range of projects of this kind including The Leather Market in Bermondsey, South London.At the heart of this project, was the transformation of an external courtyard to create a vibrant extension of the workplace. BSFG contributed to this by supplying a range of seating and tables that would enhance the building’s historic character while providing a flexible outdoor space in which tenants have the opportunity to collaborate, socialise, or break-out the office.A similar type of project, but in a more modern architectural setting, was the reimagining of a courtyard at the Humanities Building at the University of Manchester, a renowned 1970s brutalist style building. BSFG was engaged to assist with the revitalisation of the central courtyard to meet the evolving demands of the student community, which included adapting the Greengate and Deansgate ranges to create curved seating and table units to integrate with new landscaping.An excellent example of what can be achieved at rooftop level is provided by the Excelsior Works apartment development in Manchester. Here, BSFG provided a street furniture package to create a stylish outdoor roof garden complete with a timber pergola overlooking a communal seating area.The Deacon Cube, Greengate Benches, Picnic Tables and Sun Loungers were all incorporated, complemented by Inspira steel planters in various heights, powder coated in dark grey to match the contemporary design of the apartments. The planters serve an important purpose in respect of creating a more biodiverse area, introducing flora and fauna in a densely populated urban location.Business park sites present many different design opportunities, particularly given that they usually have the luxury of having more ground level outdoor space to use. This can allow for greater utilisation of green spaces, more expansive planting areas and the scope to include aspects such as water features and cycle parking or storage.In one BSFG project for a large corporate organisation, a bespoke canopy and street furniture package was provided for their extensive site. This was completed as part of the development of the Gaydon Centre for Jaguar Land Rover in Warwickshire, which featured a 109m canopy to provide a sheltered walkway through the site, coupled with a selection of coordinated street furniture for newly landscaped areas.Encouraging cycling to the officeA further way to make greater use of the outdoor spaces within office developments is to create the facilities for cyclists. Encouraging more people to cycle to work is important because of the health benefits associated with this physical activity versus using a car or public transport. It is also important to help reduce congestion in city and town centres and improve air quality – hence why it is regarded as a more sustainable method of transport.To achieve these aims, many site owners and developers choose to provide safe and secure parking for bikes within the building. This was the approach taken by KPMG for its head office at Canary Wharf, a project in which BSFG provided all the necessary equipment and systems to accommodate 200 cycles.Where this is not possible, the outdoor space can be utilised in a number of ways. For example, cycle parking could take the form of a shelter to accommodate a system like the EasyLift Premium Two-Tier Cycle Rack, as was created by BSFG at Southampton Central Railway Station, or a more comprehensive facility.An example of the latter is the cycle hub at Oxford Brookes University. This involved BSFG supplying and installing two purpose-built hubs formed using EasyLift Two Tier Racks accommodated within a powder coated steel framed structures, clad in robust timber and fitted with internal lighting.To find out more about the outdoor solutions available from BSFG to incorporate within office developments, visit www.bsfg.co.uk