For the past 35 years fabrication experts Metal Art have brought their signature craftsmanship to the heart of Lower Hutt with its range of custom-designed street furniture.

The Seaview-based company’s latest creations have helped transform a vacant Council site on Daly St into a people-friendly, temporary community space. It features an eye-catching collection of street furniture, a bright purple basketball hoop, a pump track, a painted labyrinth and space for food trucks.

Some of the furniture was custom designed by the Council's Urban Design team and Metal Art brought their skills and experience to collaborate and bring these to life.

Despite their name, Metal Art uses a range of materials in their products including recycled plastic, timber, as well as various metals.

Metal Art National Sales Manager Steve Kyle says the company, which provides street furniture for many councils around the motu, was proud to be part of the project at Daly St.

"It not only adds colour and energy to the site but also reflects our commitment to sustainability and community.

"All of the furniture we’ve created for Daly St is designed to be fully reusable. These pieces can be relocated and repurposed throughout the city - continuing to serve the public for years to come."

The community space at Daly St has been very busy especially in the weekends, after school and over the school holidays.

Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry praised the work undertaken by Metal Art.

"It’s fantastic to see a local Lower Hutt business help bring the temporary Daly Street site to life. Their work adds functionality and character to the space. The fact that it’s all reusable and relocatable shows smart thinking around sustainability and value for ratepayers.

"Their work over the years has played a huge part in shaping our city and the way we connect with it today."

Recently, Metal Art and Replas NZ created custom seating for Hillary Court in Naenae using recycled plastic and Corten steel. Designed to be durable, low-maintenance, and anti-graffiti, the seating features a flax-inspired colour palette chosen by Council’s Urban Design Team who took inspiration from dyed flax weaving.

Metal Art just celebrated its 35th birthday and Hutt City Council is one of its most enduring clients.

They have also created scores of other items for Council, from durable seating, bollards and bike racks to art installations. It includes:

• Recycled-plastic benches in various neighbourhood parks
• Outdoor table and bench combinations, notably atop Wainuiomata Hill
• Dual-purpose bins accommodating general waste and recycling, prominently used in the CBD
• Retractable Bollards in Civic Square and near Walter Nash Centre
• The Leon van den Eijkel-designed Smiling Windmills art installations outside Avalon Park
• Custom bench seats for the War Memorial area in Riddiford Gardens

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