Urban Furniture for Generations – Designing durable public spaces over time

Good urban space does not age in a few years. It withstands use, time, and changing needs.

Parks, streets, squares, stops, and other shared spaces are part of the city for decades. That is why the furniture selected for them should also serve well into the future.

At Finbin this idea is captured by Urban Furniture for Generations – urban furniture whose long service life is created by the combination of materials, design, maintainability, and adaptability.

Durability is determined already at the design stage

The life cycle of urban furniture begins long before installation.

A peaceful park, a busy city center, a housing company yard, and a beach place different demands on the product. Usage levels, moisture, salt, frost, snow, UV radiation, and mechanical wear affect what material, structure, and surface treatment are best suited for the environment.

That is why one solution does not fit all. The product must suit the location, usage, and environmental stress.

Kalasatama, Helsinki - Finbin's giant benches were implemented at the site as a special project - read more

Material that continues its life

The most important material in Lehtovuori's products is steel. It is strong, long-lasting, and highly recyclable.

We use recycled steel in our products, and at the end of its service life, the material can be recycled again into raw material for a new product. Steel can practically be recycled repeatedly without losing its key properties.

Depending on the place of use, our products also utilize, for example, stainless steel, galvannealed steel, hot-dip galvanized steel, and aluminum.

Sustainable material choice therefore does not only mean what the product is made of. What is essential is to choose the right material for the right environment.

Surface treatment only becomes visible years later

A product placed in public space is constantly exposed to weather conditions. That is why the purpose of surface treatment is not just to give the product color.

At Lehtovuori's Ylöjärvi factory, products are surface-treated using a multi-stage process that includes careful pre-treatment, zinc primer painting, and powder coating. The painting meets C5-M corrosion protection requirements, which are intended for extremely demanding conditions.

Good corrosion protection helps the product withstand moisture, salt, and varying weather conditions, as well as preserve its appearance and functionality for a long time.

Parts of an Ekocity waste bin door coming straight out of the paint shop

Timeless design also lasts visually

Technical durability is not enough on its own. The product's appearance must also withstand time.

Urban furniture can be in the same place for decades. That is why it should also suit its environment when trends change.

Timeless design is based on clear proportions, thoughtful materials and colors, and the fact that the furniture does not try to dominate its environment. At its best, it feels like a natural part of the place.

When benches, waste bins, bicycle parking, and shelters form a cohesive whole, the entire urban space also looks thoughtfully designed

In Tuusula's regiment park, Lehtovuori's stop shelters, benches, waste bins, and bicycle racks combine into one functional whole - read more 

The changing city needs adaptable solutions

The city does not stay still. User numbers, ways of moving, and the purposes of spaces change.

That is why modularity is an important part of long-lasting design.

Finbin's ViVa shelters can be built to suit current needs and expanded later. The length of the shelter can be increased, and wall elements can be changed or added as needs change.

The same idea is seen in Modul waste bin enclosures. If the capacity of the waste point is no longer sufficient, the whole can be expanded by adding new Modul units.

Then the entire solution does not need to be replaced just because needs change.

Kanniston School, Vantaa - bicycle parking implemented with ViVa green shelters, CubiQ and U2 bicycle racks - read more 

A good product can be repaired, not just replaced

All products used outdoors wear out over time. What is essential is what happens when a part needs maintenance or replacement.

Replaceable components, spare parts, and maintainable structures can significantly extend the product's service life. If an individual part can be repaired, the entire product does not need to be replaced.

A long-lasting product is, above all, one that can be maintained and updated.

Good urban space belongs to everyone

A time-resistant public space must also be easy to use.

Accessibility is therefore a natural part of good urban design. Pathways, usage heights, placement, and product usability must serve different users.

In Finbin's products, accessibility and ease of use are considered as part of the design. A well-designed environment works for people of different ages and in different life situations without accessibility feeling like a separate solution.

The project implemented on Helsinki's Esplanade with Lehtovuori's products - read more

Responsibility is visible throughout the life cycle

The environmental impacts of urban furniture should be considered beyond the time of manufacture.

The longer the same product serves, the less often it needs to be manufactured, transported, and reinstalled. When the material is recyclable, the product can be maintained and the structure modified, its life cycle can be utilized for as long as possible.

That is why the procurement should be evaluated against more than just the purchase price:

How long does the product last?
Can it be maintained and repaired?
Can it be expanded or changed?
Will it still suit its environment years from now?

Urban Furniture for Generations

Public space is not just furniture. It is a place where we stop, meet, move, and spend time.

Urban Furniture for Generations encapsulates Lehtovuori's idea of urban furniture: high-quality materials, thoughtful design, and solutions that can change with the environment.

Because the best public spaces are not just for today.

Finbin's CitySolar smart waste bins along Turku's Aurajoki river - read more