Shaping Public Spaces to Enhance Well-being
Public street furniture design involves so much more than simply creating aesthetically-pleasing street furniture such as picnic tables or steel planters. It also involves giving much consideration and thought to the psychology of these spaces and how elegant, practical and beautiful public street furniture can influence spaces.
From benches to bike racks, planters to shelters, these often-unnoticed features play a profound psychological role in shaping how people interact with their environment, and with each other.
Promoting Social Interaction & Fostering Community
Well-designed and carefully-considered street furniture works to both encourage and enhance social interaction, participation and even the quality of life of people living within communities. In fact, public street furniture design can help to bring communities together.
When public spaces make it easy and attractive to pause, they promote feelings of safety, inclusivity, and belonging. People begin to feel ownership of the space, and of the wider community.
Public street furniture promotes social interaction and fosters a sense of community by:
Encouraging social interaction: well-placed wooden benches, picnic tables, and outdoor seating can provide opportunities for people to meet, socialise, and interact with one another.
Fostering a sense of belonging: street furniture can also create a sense of shared space, inviting people from all over to gather and participate in community activities and events, comfortably.
Providing spaces for informal gatherings: design elements like seating, picnic tables, or even strategically placed planters and steel planters can work to encourage informal social interaction.
The Role of Public Street Furniture Design in Educational Wellbeing
Social interaction, a strong sense of community, and individual well-being are especially vital in educational environments—whether in schools, colleges, universities, or community centres.
Outdoor seating and adaptable street furniture in schools and colleges has been shown to not only increase, social interaction, but also improves concentration and the emotional well-being of students and teachers. Giving students a place to gather, talk, or reflect outdoors helps to reduce stress, fosters peer connections, and can also improve behaviour inside the classroom.
This is especially vital in wellbeing-focused community schools, where mental health and inclusivity are central to the ethos. Providing accessible, unintimidating furniture that encourages group interactions. Such as; curved benches, timber seating clusters, or sheltered waiting areas. This signals to students that they are valued and supported.
Christ Church Academy, Birmingham – Langley Design
A great example of this philosophy in action is at Christ Church Academy in Birmingham
At this newly built school, seating played a key role in shaping a welcoming and inclusive school environment. As part of the £19m project, Langley Design was commissioned by contractor Willmott Dixon to design and install bespoke external furniture that matched the school’s modern yet durable aesthetic.
To foster a sense of community and accessibility, curved timber benches and matching picnic tables were strategically placed to form inviting social spaces for students of all backgrounds. These seating areas encourage interaction, collaboration, and a sense of belonging. The use of natural timber combined with powder-coated steel not only complements the school’s architectural design but also ensures functionality and inclusivity across shared outdoor areas.
Design That Shapes Behaviours
Public furniture also plays a crucial role in shaping behaviours in broader civic spaces.
By thoughtfully placing furniture to invite interaction – such as circular benches that promote face-to-face conversation, or perches that allow for quick rest without committing to a full stop – designers can influence how people use space.
This, in turn, can help to reduce antisocial behaviour as environments that feel cared for and considered tend to be respected by all members of a community.
When furniture is vandal-proof yet attractive, inclusive without feeling clinical, and clearly maintained, it commands respect and care.
Beautiful Street Furniture By Langley Design
Here at Langley Design, we believe that high-quality public street furniture should enhance both form and function.
Our collaborative approach means we work closely with clients to understand the unique needs of each project. We balance design, vision, performance requirements, sustainability goals, and budget considerations to create something special. With a team full of creative thinkers and technical expertise, we’re here to help bring your public space to life with thoughtfully designed, cost-effective solutions to your public spaces.
Explore our full range of street furniture or contact us today.
