Furnitubes International has used its expertise in design and manufacture to provide an integrated seating solution at Gainsborough Square in Bristol. With no significant amenity facilities, the open space at the heart of the community was somewhat under-used and neglected. In a bid to rejuvenate the neighbourhood, Bristol City Council have invested £2.5 million into the regeneration of the square and its surroundings.

As part of the development the City Council commissioned muf Architecture to contribute to the vision of the overall public realm for the area. muf’s work included research amongst local people, setting up community projects including ‘Our Dream Today, Your Dream Tomorrow’ and running workshops. One outcome of the findings led to the proposal for a permanent pavilion structure in Gainsborough Square, as a central feature to be used as a meeting point for local people and as a focus for community events.

muf utilised Furnitubes’ expertise in design and manufacture to develop a seating solution that integrated with and was fixed to the substructure of the pavilion. The products comprise a steel frame with recycled plastic boards for the seating surface, in 3 subtle colour shades as used for the pavilion deck and with outer ends of the seats sloping down to meet the pavilion deck. The new pavilion has proved to be a popular centrepiece at Gainsborough Square since it’s unveiling at a community event hosted by Bristol City Council.