NEW URBAN NEIGHBORHOODS THAT STAY ROOTED IN NATURE

Streetlife Australia's outdoor furniture bring elegant curves to Virigina Grove.

In 2020, the North-South Corridor (a pivotal transport artery in Adelaide connecting Gawler in the north with Old Noarlunga in the south) was opened to traffic, unlocking new potential for residential growth along its route. In the suburb of Virginia (within the City of Playford), a major masterplanned community, Virginia Grove, was launched. This development now spans over 1,000 lots and continues to expand, placing emphasis on liveability, green infrastructure and an integrated suburban lifestyle.

To strengthen the connection between new residents and the natural environment, the masterplan includes a central lake precinct, intended for walking, contemplation and social engagement. The Central Lake is a key landscape feature designed to act as a communal anchor, an oasis within a growing urban environment. The lake precinct is already being incorporated into Lanser Living’s Lakehouse Series, where homes enjoy direct frontage to water views and public open space.

The new lake area is scheduled to open in 2025—a milestone long anticipated by the community. Alongside upgrades to the high street and other public realm works, the lake will elevate Virginia Grove’s appeal as a destination as well as a place to live.

To support both function and aesthetics, the design includes perimeter pathways that curve gently along the lake’s edge, creating opportunities for seating without obstructing circulation. The planners chose a natural, ‘rough’ bench form that echoes the geometry and material character of the site—a style intended to subtly merge with the surroundings rather than dominate them.

At the heart of the design are the Rough&Ready Benches by Streetlife Australia Pty Ltd, crafted locally in New South Wales as part of a global design tradition that began in the Netherlands. These benches embody Streetlife’s belief that robust architecture and natural materials can work seamlessly together in the public realm. The solid hardwood slats, all FSC-certified, ensure that every piece originates from responsibly managed forests. Combined with a rugged steel framework, the benches achieve both strength and a raw, tactile quality that resonates with the landscape.

For Virginia Grove, the Rough&Ready series was an intuitive fit. Their straightforward, natural character allows the benches to blend into the setting rather than compete with it, echoing the organic curves of the lake’s pathways. By working with local partners and long-standing relationships, Streetlife ensures that this international design ethos is translated into Australian-made street furniture, connecting global expertise with regional craftsmanship.

With the combination of the lake’s opening, complementary open space works, and thoughtful street furniture interventions, Virginia Grove is shaping into more than just a developing suburb; it’s becoming a place of gathering, connection, and enduring beauty.