Angel Place, Sydney
When designing a public area, all factors need to be taken into account; from the construction process to the layout, everything needs to seamlessly blend together to create a cohesive space. The area itself needs to accommodate for all visitors – pedestrians, cyclists and commuters – and provide all necessary facilities, including drainage.
ACO know the struggles of finding the correct drainage that will provide high-quality stormwater solutions while still complying with the design objectives of the space. Their bespoke drainage is designed with the intent to continue the theme of the area, especially in a restored heritage space where maintaining this theme is extremely important. To combat this, ACO have developed a range of iron grates that are tailored to meet the needs of any public space and allow the designer full control of the final product. 
Crown Street Mall, Wollongong
ACO’s drains are all foot- and vehicular traffic-friendly, and the Heelsafe® Anti-Slip range has been specifically designed to meet the following Australian safety standards:
- AS 3996, Surface Openings in Pedestrian Areas
- AS 3996, Bicycle tyre penetration resistance
- AS 1428, Wheelchair and walking cane safety
- AS 4586, Slip resistance
ACO has designed many bespoke iron grates in popular locations, such as Pitt Street Mall and Angel Place in Sydney, and Crown Street Mall in Wollongong.
In Pitt Street Mall, a central trench drain system was designed to feature patterns that imitate trickling water, which blend perfectly with the mix of urban infrastructure and heritage design. The grates are illuminated at night and are strong enough to handle the range of pedestrian and vehicle traffic that is commonplace in the busy city shopping street. Stormwater is collected from the pavement and surrounding awnings and then diverted into nearby vegetation. 
Pitt Street Mall, Sydney
The drain in Angel Place was created to harmonise with the surrounding iron, steel and granite design of the popular restaurant- and café-filled laneway. The grates have been manufactured to withstand the number of vehicles that regularly drive through.
A sloped drain was implemented in Crown Street Mall which complimented the urban public space and provided a solution to the flat walkways. The grate was designed to give a nod to the industrial heritage of Wollongong while providing heel- and wheel-safe security.
See the design and implementation of the drains at these three sites in this video
Check out ACO’s full article on these bespoke drainage projects here.
