I’ve worked on a couple of city council projects here in Sydney, and I totally get what you’re saying. One of the main challenges we ran into was finding fencing that didn’t scream “industrial site” but still offered solid protection, especially in areas with high foot traffic or where you need to limit access during events.
A solid option we’ve used is powder-coated chainwire fencing — it’s clean-looking and blends better with modern design. Also, mesh panel fencing has come a long way. It’s way more flexible now in terms of finish and color, and you can even integrate it with signage or green walls. What I liked most in one recent project was using fencing that could support vertical gardens — it created a sort of living wall, added greenery, and looked miles better than just plain metal.
You might want to check out LS Fencing Services — they’ve done some interesting
commercial security fencing Sydney , and I think their work reflects the balance you’re talking about between function and design. They’re especially good with custom configurations for urban layouts.