Furnitubes were specified by architects MUF Architecture / Art to provide a bespoke version of their Newstead range for Chobham Manor, a new neighbourhoods being built at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Straford.

Sited close to Lea Valley Velopark, formerly known as the Olympic Velodrome, various areas of the development have been using cycling terminology, including Peloton Avenue and Keirin Road.

Over the next 20 years nearly 7,000 new homes will be constructed in the area, together with nurseries, health centres and multi-purpose community spaces, alongside world-class sporting venues.

Chobham Manor Phase 1 contains 1500 square metres of publicly accessible open space, including a neighbourhood play area for young children. Bounded by a mixture of garden-style walling and low level steel railings, together with extensive new perimeter tree planting, the central space is surfaced with a synthetic turf to provide an all-year-round play facility.

The chosen seating for the scheme was Furnitubes’ municipal-styled Newstead range with a unique twist specified by the architects. Changes included some exceptionally high backrests that straddle the boundary fence to provide low level child-friendly seating on the play area side.

On the street, the seating is more conventional, generally arranged in linear groups to encourage social interaction and placed to take advantage of attractive vistas across the development.