A bollard may be succinctly defined as a short vertical post. Originally, the term was employed to denote a post employed on a quay for mooring ships. In the modern context, the word bollard refers to vertical residential or landscape structures of varying materials, shapes and sizes performing a range of beautifying, safety, traffic-regulation and even anti-terrorist functions. The name bollard is inherited from the Norman-French name Boulard, & believed to be named after John C. Bollard of the Bollard & Stanchion company.
Concrete bollards have evolved from their crude rudimentary form to exceedingly decorative concrete bollards. A retractable bollard or a removable bollard is one that can be lowered into the ground, either automatically or manually, when not needed. Hence, removable bollards alternatively create opportunities for vehicular control as well as pedestrian accessibility at different times. The term “robotic bollards” has been applied to traffic barricades that are capable of positioning themselves into earmarked spots on a roadway.
Bicycle bollards have been extensively raised in various parts of the country to streamline the traffic of bikes as well as enhance safety of the bikers. From the growing popularity of bicycle bollards, it would appear that the expense entailed has been regarded as worthwhile.
None would dispute the utility, even the virtual indispensability, of concrete bollards in diverse public spheres and applications. However, there are several who might still regard the stout jutting structures as detracting from the architectural symmetry of the scenario, even as eyesores and ugly blots on the landscape. Under the circumstances, it cannot behoove any considerate and competent administration to adopt an attitude of “Like it or lump it” towards the hapless lay citizens of the region.
The aesthetic impact of concrete anchors can be determined to a degree by the choice of material employed for bollard designs. Timber bollards and concrete bollards have yielded in preference to the more sleek steel bollards as well as aluminum bollards. LED {light emitting diode} aluminum bollards have emerged as a design that results in child-safe decorative bollards that are a delight to behold at night. Wooden bollards, such as Indian teak bollards, may offer a traditional touch to the artistically inclined. Steel bollards could be made of either heavy-duty high-strength steel or stainless steel. The steel bollards lend themselves to being painted with a UV {ultraviolet}-resistant powder coat to match one’s color scheme.
Has this problem of matching the utility of public bollards with the citizens’ expectations of minimal aesthetics been resolved elsewhere? How have other countries fared in blending the function of concrete bollards with an appearance that is pleasing to the eye?
The UK and Ireland, while not remaining strangers to metal bollards and alloy bollards, have employed several types of decorative concrete bollards with immense success.
Australia has experimented and acquired considerable expertise in T-top aluminum bollards fitted with ornamental reflective bands. The outdoors beautifying accessories to garden bollards and parking bollards involve such innovative features as urns, bird-baths, plaques, masks and benches. These effectively convert a rigid column into a product of a different genre altogether, one imbued with taste and desirability.
Australia teems with decorative landscape bollards almost as a form of public sculpture. Usually, wooden bollards are effectively modified and painted to resemble human figures. These figures may be variously historical or contemporary, specific or generic, and may be located singly or in clusters along the waterfront or other areas of public gathering. The city of Geelong in Victoria delightfully portrays its history as a major Australian port through human-shaped bollards, almost a la ancient Rome.
