Frequently Asked Questions

There are endless options for designing and building an outdoor space, depending on its purpose – and the needs and wants of the people who will use it. This guides the layout and design and the choice of furniture and facilities. There are many considerations: seating, tables, shelters, BBQs, bike racks and litter bins – and the key is to find the ideal placement of everything. Different places also call for different styles – from simple and sturdy to sleek and sophisticated. We love helping clients achieve a design and result that resonates with intended users and enriches people’s lives and experiences.

Every client and project is different, and we have a four-step approach.

1. Discover: A clear understanding of the place, its purpose and the people who will use it (as well as unique budget, stakeholders and challenges).
2. Create: Design the space, including visual concepts and detailed drawings for feedback, consultation, refinement and finalisation.
3. Curate: Select the perfect products, product suites and modular designs – all designed for comfort, convenience, durability and sustainability.
4. Deliver: Bring the design to life with the manufacturing and supply of quality products, and seamless installation.

All great outdoor spaces are inspired by place and people in equal measure: an understanding of ‘the place’ (location, landscape, history, use) and the ‘people’ (demographics, culture, lifestyle) who will use it. It’s about understanding the different ways spaces are used – and making sure every piece serves a purpose and is expertly arranged for comfort and ease. That’s how we help create the unique character and great experiences that attract people to socialise, work, eat, rest, shop, play and learn every day. It’s also about shaping a welcoming atmosphere and inclusivity (think accessible street furniture and amenities) and choosing furniture and facilities that will stand the test of time – looking good and performing, year after year.

With consideration – and help from experts like us! Think about the size, style, users and purpose of the space, the conditions and climate, functional needs (drinking fountains and bike storage, for example), maintenance, safety and so on.  The good news is that flexibility makes things much easier. Today, there are a full range of ‘mix and match’ solutions for sitting, eating, sheltering, and gathering – as well as modular design pieces (like the Legend Collection) that can be easily configured (and reconfigured) to suit your needs. Every day, we help clients choose the perfect combination. And because we have local teams and manufacturing facilities on the North and South Islands, we can easily customise most products (via different colours, materials, features and special touches like engraving) to suit your place and purpose.

That depends on many things, including the type (and number) of products, materials and features. The good news is that we have outstanding choices at every price point – from economical (but stylish and durable) New Zealand-made choices to the latest in exclusive European design … and everything in between! Plus, working with a local supplier with in-house manufacturing is beneficial for many clients feeling the squeeze on budgets and schedules.

Not sure of the next steps? Get in touch with our street furniture specialists to discuss your requirements.

It’s easy – and the choice is yours. Simply find the product/s you’re interested in on our website and click ‘add to quote’. When you’re ready, click the $ sign (at the top of every web page), submit the details, and we’ll get a quote back to you ASAP. Alternatively, pick up the phone or drop us an email, and we’ll be more than happy to chat about it.

We offer the complete package of product options – as well as flexible, modular solutions and product ‘suites’ for a totally coordinated look and feel. Our range includes seating, table settings, shelters, commercial BBQs, bike and scooter racks, drinking fountains, public litter bins, portable grandstands, accessible products and so much more. We proudly provide our own signature range of NZ-made street furniture, as well as exciting designs from our partnerships with exclusive international brands.

Our street furniture is designed for all types of outdoor spaces in New Zealand including parks and reserves, urban streetscapes, shopping and dining precincts, cultural spaces, recreation areas and sporting grounds, school and university campuses, and residential developments.

Our catalogues and look books are a great place to start – or browse our gallery of projects to get a colourful snapshot of our work. It proves how well-designed street and park furniture truly ‘makes’ outdoor spaces.

For inspiring real-life projects, check out our case studies. We are so proud of our work with councils, commercial and construction clients, schools and universities throughout New Zealand.  

Yes, we partner with clients from concept to completion – and that starts with planning and design. We have a ‘placemaking’ design approach that begins with a deep understanding of the location (place) and its community (people). That translates into visual concepts, detailed drawings and recommendations for the ideal furniture and amenities to bring your space to life – and bring life to your space. Read more by downloading our Places for People design guide.

Yes, we’d love to! Every day, our team works alongside landscape architects to bring their visions to life and create much-loved spaces. They value our range, flexibility, quality – and all the tools we bring to the table (like detailed product specifications, drawings and installation instructions) to make life easier.

It’s simple! Nominate your preferred builder, contractor or landscaper. Urban Effects provides furniture that is ready and easy to install.  

Yes, part of our design and planning stage can include site visits – and we have teams servicing both the North and South Islands. Our work is always underpinned by a thorough understanding of the location, landscape, history and current use of your site, to build a picture of its potential.

We are flexible, with the capability to partner with you (and your team) across any – or all – of the project stages. We have expertise across planning and design, product selection, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance.

Every client and project are different, and we have a four-step approach to designing outdoor spaces:

1. Discover: A clear understanding of the place, its purpose and the people who will use it (as well as unique budget, stakeholders and challenges).
2. Create: Design the space, including visual concepts and detailed drawings for feedback, consultation, refinement and finalisation.
3. Curate: Select the perfect products, product suites and modular designs – all designed for comfort, convenience, durability and sustainability.
4. Deliver: Bring the design to life with seamless installation.

We’re inspired by human needs and the New Zealand way of life. We’re here to help shape and update spaces that enrich daily lives – where people eat, relax, connect and enjoy the great outdoors. We focus on comfort and convenience, with solutions that are beautiful, highly functional and incredibly safe and durable. We’re also inspired by our genuine commitment to sustainability and accessible design principles. Of course, as a street and park furniture specialist, we find inspiration everywhere. We constantly monitor outdoor space and street furniture design trends – and we partner with European leaders committed to studying emerging and future needs.

Our specialty is creating unique results by customising our existing product range – with a choice of different colours, materials and features. We can even add special touches like engraving and carvings to reflect the area’s culture, heritage, environment and style. Our local manufacturing capability (with hubs on both the North and South Islands) makes this easy to do.

Yes, we can design furniture to complement your outdoor space and user requirements. 

Every client and project is different, and we have a four-step approach to designing outdoor spaces.

1. Discover: A clear understanding of the place, its purpose and the people who will use it (as well as unique budget, stakeholders and challenges).
2. Create: Design the space, including visual concepts and detailed drawings for feedback, consultation, refinement and finalisation.
3. Curate: Select the perfect products, product suites and modular designs – all designed for comfort, convenience, durability and sustainability.
4. Deliver: Bring the design to life with seamless installation.

Yes. Urban Effects supports your community consultation by providing product renders, conceptual plans, and drawings.

We have our own, signature range of New Zealand-made furniture – as well as being the proud exclusive distributor for European leaders Metalco and Bellitalia.

We use a wide range of materials, from beautiful natural timber to marine-grade alloy and stainless steel. All the materials we use are carefully chosen for strength, durability and safety. We are always increasing our use of sustainably sourced, recycled and recyclable materials, including FSC and PEFC accredited timber, aluminium, recycled concrete and wood-plastic composites.

Yes, built into the design of the majority of our street furniture range is the ability to tailor a product to suit a place, purpose or price point. You can choose colours, materials, features and special touches to match your unique location, preferences and needs. Also, our flexible, modular furniture including our Liffiton and Legend collections can be configured in a huge variety of ways – giving you the power to shape your space.

In general, yes. We are proud to have an ever-growing selection of accessible street furniture, with everything from seating and table settings (specifically designed for wheelchair access and easy entry) to accessible BBQs and drinking fountains.

Yes, Urban Effects street furniture has a high-level of vandal resistance. We have a huge range of furniture made with vandal-resistant fixings, making them almost impossible to remove or tamper with (like our grandstands). If your area is prone to a high level of vandalism, we suggest you talk to one of our consultants to get advice on the best type of products and materials to use.  

As you browse through the products on our website, each individual product page has a ‘Spec Sheet’ download option. While for architects, specifiers and designers who seek assurance that products conform and comply to relevant standards and legislation, Urban Effects is a proud Masterspec Product Partner.

As a Masterspec Product Partner, we provide you with fast, efficient access to accurate product specifications via the Masterspec online portal.

Yes. We are committed to providing you with the tools and support to plan, design and build your outdoor space with confidence and ease. CAD Files for street furniture in the Urban Effects range are accessible via the product page on the website. You can also find the relevant files and technical specifications for products on the CAD Files page on the Urban Effects website. If you have any questions about these files, or need advice on product specifications and installation requirements, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Head to our product pages, our catalogues and lookbooks, and our gallery to find pictures of the products in the Urban Effects range.

Yes, wherever possible, we choose sustainable materials with limited negative impact on natural resources, people and environment. We are always increasing our use of sustainably sourced, recycled and recyclable materials, including FSC and PEFC accredited timber, aluminium, recycled concrete and wood-plastic composites.

Read our full sustainability commitment.

Yes. Urban Effects street furniture is made to last – tailored for the New Zealand lifestyle and environment, and manufactured using high quality materials and finishes. Our products are designed to have a long lifespan because quality and durability and sustainability go hand-in-hand. All our designs meet, or exceed, all relevant safety and construction standards.

Yes, we are always increasing our use of sustainably sourced, recycled and recyclable materials, including FSC and PEFC accredited timber, aluminium, recycled concrete and wood-plastic composites. The majority of the aluminium in our products is sourced locally through McKechnie, the world’s first aluminium smelter to receive CEMARS environmental certification and NZ’s only extruder to have a remelt which means its products have a high recycled content and low carbon footprint. Meanwhile, granite and marble street furniture is having a renaissance thanks to its sustainable qualities and enduring style. Seating, tables and bollards and planters made from this composite of natural stone offer amazing resilience against environmental conditions, ensuring optimal durability and lifespan. We’d love to answer any question you have about the eco-credentials of products in our range. Read our full sustainability commitment.

Street furniture is usually designed for a level site which makes for an easy installation. Some preparations may be required including (but not limited to):

•              Removing any existing infrastructure

•              Levelling the site and providing a base for the furniture to be fixed

•              You may need to check for underground services

•              Drainage and base preparations.

Urban Effects can help provide information for building approvals when/if necessary. As a first step, we suggest that you get in touch with your local Council or authority to check what may be required.

While street furniture is an integral part of the landscape, the actual landscaping works should be done by a specialist that Urban Effects can work alongside regarding any design or installation requirements.

Yes, of course. We provide detailed installation instructions. Supervision is not normally necessary, but the Urban Effects team can provide support if needed through a quick phone call or email.

Every project is different and installation costs can vary widely depending on local factors, design complexity and specific requirements. We are always happy to provide advice and guidance – feel free to contact us today.

Alternatively, your site contractor can provide a good guide for this.

We work closely with clients, with a dedicated customer service team ensuring clear and proactive communication at every stage. Additionally, we’re always on hand to answer questions and resolve any issues.

It depends on your project – but we’re known for the fast turnaround that comes with local manufacture and supply chain certainty. We also have a range of in-stock street and park furniture, ready for express delivery. We are transparent when it comes to lead times and will provide you with a specific schedule, depending on what you have ordered. Simple products can typically be despatched within days/weeks however larger projects may take a little longer. Either way our customer service team can provide you with advice and will keep you updated as your project progress.

Yes, as you browse through our products, each individual product page has a ‘Spec Sheet’ download option.

Our products and materials are backed by exceptional quality and durability. However, there are a few simple steps to maximise the life of your street furniture. We have complied our top tips for preventative maintenance and key considerations if your site is exposed to harsh environmental conditions, heavy use and potential vandalism – check it out here. Of course, our team is always on hand to provide maintenance advice to keep your furniture and facilities thriving!

Our furniture and facilities are designed and built for low (and easy) maintenance. You will need to think about labour (maintenance inspections and cleaning) and materials (for cleaning and re-oiling/treatments if necessary). Our team is happy to discuss industry-standard maintenance practices and help you create a realistic budget to ensure your street furniture remains safe, functional, and visually appealing over time.

Yes, our clients enjoy peace of mind with street furniture backed by robust warranties, which are detailed here.

Our products and materials are backed by exceptional quality and durability. However, there are a few simple steps to maximise the life of your street furniture. We have complied our top tips for preventative maintenance and key considerations if your site is exposed to harsh environmental conditions, heavy use and potential vandalism – check it out here. Of course, our team is always on hand to provide maintenance advice to keep your furniture and facilities thriving!

Yes. Urban Effects has been manufacturing outdoor furniture for many years and can offer both expertise and parts for replacing damaged furniture. As a general rule, you should replace parts of your furniture with parts from your original supplier to avoid any warranties being voided.