Resources

Walking the Talk

Designing Structures for Sensitive...

Turning screen time into green...

The outdoors. It used to be the only place Aussie kids wanted to spend their time. But the digital age has surrounded us with technology at every turn. Screen time is up and green...

Creating outdoor structures...

Why spending time outside feels...

Can your structure be delivered......

In our previous article, we explored the critical role of design in the creation of safe outdoor structures. But as FORGE's (formerly Fleetwood Urban) John Dahdah explains, even...

Why safe structures always begin...

Safe projects don’t just magically happen. They require experience, good processes and tireless attention to detail. They also start far sooner than many people realise, often at...

FORGE’s first-ever swing bridge...

Why outdoor structures are like...

Do your partners add value?

There are two types of businesses in this world. Margin takers and value adders. For more than 50 years here at FORGE (formerly Fleetwood Urban), our best work has consistently...

Redefining Nature Play

Bommy Knockers. Officially, they’re the spiny seed pod of the platanus tree. But for the families of Coombs in south-west Canberra, they will be forever linked to amazing nature...

Floods. Border Closures....

Every job presents its challenges. But our recently-completed bridge and boardwalk project for Greater Shepparton City Council in north-eastern Victoria will certainly take some...

The Future of Bridges is Green

Green bridges. No, they’re not covered in plants or grass. Rather, they’re part of a growing urban trend towards smaller and generally more cost-effective active transport...

Are you factoring life cycle costs...

The way a structure is designed and detailed is about more than just aesthetics. Long after the opening ribbon has been cut, the decisions you and your project team make today...

Transforming Adelaide Festival...

6-metre hexagonal ‘tree’ arbours transform new Adelaide Festival Plaza precinct. We’ve been creating outdoor structures for over 50 years now. But some projects still take our...

Why timber is the coolest choice...

Australia’s towns and cities are warming. Increased population and housing density, coupled with reduced yard sizes and greenspaces, are placing mounting pressure on planners to...

Why timber is the world's most...

Everyone’s talking about sustainability. Everyone knows it’s important. But, as an industry, what are we actually doing about it? It’s a big question and one we’ve spent a lot of...

Design secrets of long-lasting...

There’s something wonderful about hardwood timber. From its natural touch and feel to its almost limitless design flexibility, we’ve been specifying native species like Ironbark,...

Unpacking the Bridge Code: The...

Discussing the scope – and limitations – of the Bridge Code with Liam Sacco, Principal Structural Engineer with global infrastructure provider, Cardno.

Cracking the Code

Each year in Australia, countless pedestrian structures are built unnecessarily – and expensively – to the full structural specifications of the Bridge Code, AS 5100. With a...

Central Coast meets Central Europe...

How a visit to the south of Germany inspired two elegant community bridges along the Tuggerah Lake Cycleway.

Behold... The 'Bandicoot Bum' of...

Inspired by Banjo Paterson. Designed by GbLA. Enjoyed by generations.“If you walk in the bush at night,In the wonderful silence deep,By the flickering lantern lightWhen the birds...

The Power of Custom Play

Humans are hard-wired to notice new and novel things. Whether we’re young or old, it’s those experiences we’ve never seen before that consistently excite, stimulate and intrigue...

Creating Sensational Playspaces

In many ways, modern playspaces are a lot like ducks. What you see on the surface – with kids laughing and jumping and swinging and sliding and crawling and climbing and running...