Photo courtesy of Steelcase
Have a Seat...or not! HOW FURNITURE SUPPORTS LEARNING BY MARY MOWAD GUITEAU, IIDA, IFMA Education has evolved by leaps and bounds over the past decade. The ways in which teachers teach and students learn have evolved. With more collaboration, more project-based learning, and new subject matter, the physical environment of schools has had to change to support these new ways of learning…. that includes educational furniture. Providing a palette of place, where learning can occur in different locations, can promote collaboration. Providing a palette of posture, to allow students to sit or stand, be still or move, can promote comprehension. To understand the ways furniture supports learning, we need to first understand a few of the different types of spaces within a school setting.
TYPE OF SPACE
ATTRIBUTES
POSTURES
CLASSROOMS / STEAM SPACES
• Project based • Collaborative
• Sitting • Standing
IN-BETWEEN SPACES
• Informal • Transitional • Multi-purpose
• Sitting • Lounging • Standing
• Connection to nature • Biophilic design • Fresh air
• Walking • Sitting • Standing
OUTDOOR SPACES
HOLLY & SMITH ARCHITECTS, APAC