[ Urban Infrastructure ]
[ Urban Infrastructure ]
“ Once you commit to stainless, you’ re not just buying a material, you’ re buying time.”
– Ian Dryden
ergonomic comfort. Benches were lengthened to encourage shared use, while backrests and armrests were added to support people with mobility needs. Melbourne’ s design guidelines are publicly available, enabling other councils to replicate or adapt its approach.
Expanding influence Melbourne’ s success has encouraged other cities and institutions across Australia to rethink their own public infrastructure strategies. In the City of Port Phillip, the council adopted the same Type 316 stainless steel standard, streamlining its furniture suite to just four core elements. Despite operating on a much smaller budget, the city achieved similar results to Melbourne. In Perth, the capital of Western Australia, early concerns about heat and glare were resolved through careful finish selection and on-site testing. The furniture has since proven effective, delivering the same corrosion resistance, low maintenance, and visual consistency seen in Melbourne.
Simple, durable and hygienic – stainless steel fountains and bins keep public spaces clean and safe. Photo © Andrew Curtis
University campuses have embraced the philosophy too. At Monash University, the campus is treated like a small city, using public furniture to reinforce both identity and function.
Challenges: both overcome and ongoing Key technical challenges required careful management, such as avoiding iron contamination during fabrication by keeping stainless and carbon steel tools separate and ensuring consistent quality across multiple fabricators. Most surface damage occurred before installation, highlighting the need for better packaging and handling practices. Slip resistance also had to be addressed through bead-blasting and on-site testing where needed. Beyond technical issues, the perception that stainless steel is too costly is also a barrier. Some councils remain focused on upfront costs, overlooking future savings opportunities. Other misconceptions persist, for example, concerns about stainless steel becoming too hot in the sun, despite field testing in cities like Perth proving otherwise.
Stainless steel benches remain bright and functional for years, with minimal maintenance and no signs of corrosion, while painted carbon steel alternatives show wear and rust. Photos © Veronika Matheson
34 Stainless Steel World April 2026 www. stainless-steel-world. net