Absolutely. In fact, the vast majority of shade structures FORGE helps to deliver are completely original. Time and again, we find the most successful outdoor amenity structures often take very direct design and material cues from their site and the surrounding landscape. Slopes, tree lines, local landmarks (natural and man-made), local creeks and rivers, native wildlife and flora can all have an important influence and are factors we consider carefully during the design process, overlayed with your overall creative vision and purpose. Blending freedom of creative expression with deep structural rigour, the FORGE Methodology allows us to successfully deliver custom shade and public amenity structures of all sizes and intricacies.

FORGE is an Australian specialist in the design and construction of public amenity and outdoor shade structures. Regardless of size, complexity or location, we bring bespoke community structures to life in ways that are always true to the original creative vision—while also being structurally achievable within the project budget. Our award-winning project portfolio includes a vast array of shade and amenity structures, each custom designed and delivered based on the unique needs of the client, the brief and the local community

Safety is a fundamental consideration when designing and constructing any outdoor public structure at FORGE. Our approach always balances delivering custom shade and amenity solutions that are creative, functional and safe for the communities that use them. Our highly experienced design team has a deep working knowledge of all national safety standards, accessibility requirements and environmental performance criteria. Typically FORGE custom shade structures and amenities exceed minimum compliance and safety requirements.

Typically the materials specified will depend on a range of factors including the overall creative vision, structural scale, location, site conditions, usage volume and budget. While structural steel is frequently used for the support frames of FORGE structures, we believe strongly in the use of sustainable materials such as locally-sourced Class 1 Australian hardwood timber for cladding, providing strong aesthetic links to the surrounding environment while also adding textural and natural finishes.

Inclusive design sits at the heart of the FORGE approach, providing safe, functional and easily-accessible shade and amenity structures that can be enjoyed by all community members regardless of all age and ability. Central to achieving this is understanding all of the different groups who will be using the structure (and also how they will be using it from the earliest stages of the design process. This ensures safe and seamless experiences for all users now, and for years to come.

Aesthetics are important, but for any community shade structure or amenity to be truly successful it must provide positive user experiences—day after day, season after season. In order to achieve this, the structure must be designed and specified in a human-centric way that is inviting, functional, comfortable and, above all else, safe. Who will use the structure? How will they use it? Will they get to it? Will they have prams that need to be ‘parked’ within safe view? How does the sun pass over the site at different times of the year? Are there prevailing breezes we want to capture, or potentially block in colder climates? How easy is it to maintain and clean for the asset owner? All of these questions, and more, need to be considered to maximise usability and comfort levels, with the answers affecting everything from the design and orientation of the structure to the materials and finishes used to create it.

Yes they can. Every shade shelter and public amenity structure FORGE delivers is tailored to the unique requirements of the brief and budget. Seating and lighting solutions are frequently integrated into our projects to provide safe and comfortable experiences at all-times of the day and year. In almost every case, we will have upfront conversations with clients about considering these important elements early in the design process which will allow for the most seamless and cost-effective solution rather than having to add them retrospectively and incur project variations and design adjustments.

FORGE specialises in delivering custom shade and public amenity structures in hard-to-access and sensitive locations including national parks and conservation reserves. Environmental, cultural and heritage factors are always taken into account from the very beginning of the design development process, shaping solutions that are site-specific and meet all necessary environmental management plans and community requirements. This includes using designs and materials that have minimal, if any, need of heavy equipment during construction and installation.

Yes. FORGE specialises in creating public shade shelters and amenities that are both visually appealing and built to last. Each structure is thoughtfully designed to suit its specific location, and with robust material selection, they are made to withstand the Australian climate while minimising ongoing maintenance.

Yes. FORGE offers proprietary shelters and amenities that are structurally robust and cost-effective. These systems are also creatively flexible, allowing us to tailor designs, materials, and embellishments to suit the specific needs of each project or site.

Yes. FORGE designs, builds, and installs shade shelters and public amenities across Australia. We work extensively in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and the ACT, as well as in regional and metropolitan areas nationwide, with national pre-assembly facilities and local delivery teams supporting each project.

The FORGE Methodology is built directly upon deep and ongoing collaboration with local councils and developers. In fact, we find the closer we work together the better—especially in the critical early design stages of the project. By partnering up-front with all key design and delivery partners we can collaboratively identify the very best solution for the brief, long before you the construction contract is committed to. The result is almost always a higher quality and more cost-effective project outcome.

Yes. FORGE has extensive experience delivering shelters and public amenities in regional and remote areas across Australia. Our portfolio includes award-winning projects in towns and regional centres such as Shepparton, Tamworth, Glen Innes, Dalby, Port Macquarie, Horsham, Newcastle, and the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

Site conditions and council requirements play a significant role in the design of any custom shade structure—particularly in terms of maximising design life, functionality and user safety. The site and surrounding area will typically have a very direct influence on the overall type of structure recommended and can influence everything from footprint and height limits, footings, installation methodology, selection of materials and fittings, lighting and access points. It’s essentially that every public amenity and shade structure is fit-for-purpose.

At FORGE, we run every project that we take on through the FORGE Methodology. It is intended to be highly collaborative from initial concept to final completion. Our approach combines specialist design and design verification, structural engineering, manufacturing methodology, risk mitigation, planning capability, pre-assembly, project management and construction expertise—all with one consistent project team. Time and again we see the most successful project outcomes for shade shelters and public amenity structures when our team is engaged early in the development process.

Yes. Guided by the FORGE Methodology we have successfully delivered numerous large-scale, structurally-complex and creatively-intricate custom shade projects. These include iconic structures that have become the centrepieces of some of Australia’s most celebrated public spaces such as Adelaide Festival Plaza in South Australia, Maude Street Mall in Shepparton and Dawson Mall in Mount Druitt.

Yes they can, and in the vast majority of cases they absolutely should. At FORGE a central part of the development process is to explore the existing constraints, opportunities, design philosophies and structures within the proposed site, both natural and man-made, from the very outset of the project. Armed with these vital insights, design decisions can then be made accordingly. By pre-empting factors such as space utilisation, integration with existing structures and landscaping, and even site access limitations, the result is a highly functional and contextually appropriate shade and/or amenities solution that provides years of seamless use for the local community.

FORGE custom shade shelters and public amenity structures are inclusive social hubs that unlock the outdoors and bring families and communities closer together every day. Safe and comfortable places to meet, socialise, celebrate and relax they offer far more than just a reprieve from the harsh Australian sun and climate. They invite people to linger longer, to gather and create feelings of inclusion and belonging. At a time when more and more Australians have limited access to open space at home, they provide sophisticated community focal points that promote greater outdoor exploration and social interaction, enhancing urban liveability and connectivity as they do it.