Lashings of colour to make the outdoors great.
Nestled within the City of Port Phillip, Balaclava has undergone a remarkable evolution from its traditional working-class origins into a bustling inner-city suburb teeming with energy and diversity. As one of the most densely populated precincts in the municipality, with open space comprising just 5 per cent of the area compared to the council's average of 17 per cent, access to green and communal areas remains a critical priority for residents.
Dickens Street, a quiet no-through road lined with magnificent mature trees yet burdened by an excess of under-utilised on-street car parks, was identified as an ideal candidate for revitalisation. Under the City of Port Phillip's Places for People: Public Space Strategy 2022–2032, the project aimed to convert 10 parking spaces into a vibrant pop-up park, introducing elements such as colourful road murals, additional seating, greening with new plants and planters, a basketball hoop, and bike parking to foster community interaction and enhance urban livability.
The City of Port Phillip envisioned a lively transformation for Dickens Street, incorporating bold artistic elements and functional amenities to create an inviting pop-up park. To elevate this vision, the council collaborated with Urbania to procure premium street furniture from our partners, Durbanis, selecting the innovative Caribou Star modular bench from their INOUT range.
Crafted from dyed-in-mass recycled polyethylene derived from plastic waste, this eco-conscious seating solution underscores a commitment to sustainability while offering versatility for both indoor and outdoor applications. Its fractal-inspired modular design allows pieces to interconnect seamlessly, adapting to various spatial configurations with multiple installation options for durability in public settings.
Recycled PE by Durbanis
The Caribou Star modular benches outline our commitment to sustainable resource management and efficient utilisation. True circular design demands full recyclability, which is why these benches are crafted entirely from recycled polyethylene (PE).
By employing mono-material PE of varying densities and origins, the Caribou Star can be seamlessly reintroduced into the production cycle as many times as needed, ensuring long-term environmental and economic viability.
