Bin cage bad design PLUS UPDATE AUGUST

(below: August 2007 addition to original posting)


(click on any picture - as above - to see it full size)

DESIGN 2

Having taken a second look at my proposed bin sized wall/gate design I have an alternative design. I used my own "Design Protocols" and although the brick design below beat the current wire cages hands down there was still room for improvement. Indeed, I'm sure this design can improved upon.

My new design allows for future changes in the number of bins used and their size. I say size as the sides are re-positionable and therefore replaceable.

To maintain the lowest profile and not create any "out of sight" areas the sides are again the size of the bins plus only a centimetre or two.

The structural design of the sides can easily allow for a roof or lid to be attached at a later date if required. They can be made or either wood or a metal and slatted and painted to match adjacent structures.

If you have seen a bin surround you like of have any ideas or suggestions
please leave a note in "COMMENTS" below or click the envelope image email link.


(BELOW IS THE ORIGINAL POSTING)

TO ENLARGE THE ILLUSTRATION ABOVE, SIMPLY CLICK ON IT.
If you have "tabs" enabled in your browser, right click and select "open in a new tab" or if you have a scroll wheel on your mouse, press down on it to make the wheel "click" - same result.

Above is an email illustration I put together to suggest one alternative. Though going back to brick, the proposed structure would offer no greater place to hide than the bins themselves.
In some cases - such as No.2 above it offer no place to hide at all.

Living in London we have all seen suspicious activities taking place in half hidden doorways, stairways and bin sheds on council estates especially.

Our estate, though one of the least targeted by criminals did have transients do the occasional "deal" in the brick outbuilding used to house the bins. Consequently this hiding place was demolished by the request of the residents in the assumption that a suitable solution was in hand.

Unfortunately, either because it was the first thing (and cheapest) that came to mind, or it was left to the sub-contractor, the worst possible solution was the result.

Why such bad design (or lack of proper design and procurement procedures) from a few council departments is allowed is a constant source of surprise - to me at least.

I doubt the contractor would like the same poor quality of design in his own home.

I will be submitting my proposal for the new bin surrounds to our next TRA and Estate Committee meetings as well as ascertaining that the work can be undertaken under the Environmental Improvement Budget - as indeed the demolition of the old out-buildings and installation of the green wire cages were.

Look out for my next entry for the result.

This is a typical example of why something like my "Design & Purchasing Protocols" should be in place. We would avoid the unnecessary expense and pollution of our visual environment:
See my design "GOLD STANDARD" at bottom (in the April posts).