A picnic or barbeque by the beach is a definitive pastime for Australians, and councils are tasked with providing suitable settings across parks, rest stops and beachside suburbs. City of Port Philip had chosen Kink Tables and Benches for this popular spot along Elwood Beach, 8km south-east of Melbourne’s CBD. The sustainable Spotted Gum planks travel across the table top to become the table legs, with a ‘kink’ at a slight angle from the perpendicular, giving the design a distinct character. This feature also provides a bit of extra leg space under the table – handy when large groups sit down to a meal.
After 10 years in challenging conditions like all coasts, Elwood gets its fair share of strong breezes, salty and wet weather – the Kink settings were due for a refresh. Removing the settings to transport, repair and reinstall, would have been tricky (as they were bolted down for security), and would have left beachgoers without furniture for several days. So, the Tait team decided to do the refurbishment onsite for minimal disruption to standard operations – something the Tait team is committed to, whether that’s staging a phased or onsite refurb, or another solution. An inspection confirmed that completely new timber would be required. After measuring up, the same spec of timber was cut to size and prepared in the factory, then brought down to the beach.
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The old pieces were removed and new ones fixed onto the existing steel frames (galvanised, as the toughest and best option for the public coastal location). Once these were installed and finished with an exterior oil, the Kink Tables and Benches were as-new, and ready for another 10+ years of solid service. As part of our Stewardship service, the old timber pieces were brought back to the factory and distributed responsibly through our recycling channels. Saving materials and cost, this refurbishment adds years to product lifespan, extending the value of each piece and ensuring A Life Outside can be enjoyed for longer.
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These beachside Kink tables and benches were ready for an update after 10 years of service in salty and sandy conditions. Refurbishing proved a straightforward, sustainable and low-spend option for the City of Port Philip in Victoria.
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