Property | Outdoor Furniture
How to enhance your school campus with durable outdoor furniture New table and bench designs are made from materials that last longer than ever. In many playgrounds it remains almost standard practice for students to spend lunch breaks crossed legged on concrete or lounging on the grass. But increasingly schools are investing more time and dollars in outdoor table settings, benches and shelters that enhance the look of a school while offering comfort to students. With an ever-increasing range of exciting new styles available, the trend is shifting in favour of jazzing up outdoor areas to appeal to students’ aesthetic tastes. Although many schools still favour the comforting tones of traditional wooden benches, new product materials now mean they can have the best of the old and new, built to last for decades. Outdoor furniture on school campuses can generally be separated into two areas: *Outdoor tables and seating for students to eat lunch or chat with friends during the break *Group seating and tables for outdoor learning Lunchtime furniture has the purpose of encouraging students to sit together in groups during meals or share the company of friends in enjoyable spaces. Outdoor learning furniture should
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schoolnews
Issue 09 - Term 3 - 2018
Schools use buddy benches to encourage students to look out for one another. Image: Draffin Street Furniture. be flexible enough for students to congregate around a teacher or work in groups, with practical writing surfaces. Of course, outdoor furniture is yet another expense that schools must consider when examining tight budgets. To help set you in the right direction School News magazine speaks to industry experts about the best outdoor settings and how to make the most of your dollars.
Table Settings Today’s popular table settings are designed to encourage inclusiveness among students, says Draffin Street Furniture CEO
Ian Draffin. The latest designed “round tables” that can seat up to eight students ensure each person has equal placement as they gather to eat lunch or engage in social interaction. “A round table is an inclusive shape for kids who are sitting in a group,” says Ian. “The shape enables the kids are able to focus on each other and there is no ‘bad ‘ seat. “Bright colours are also very useful to help create a space that encourages creativity.” Outdoor Living Plus director Jan Swanepoel says traditional
rectangular tables with attached bench seating also remain popular, particularly for schools on a budget. “The main concern with schools is usually budget and they want quality that is going to last,” says Jan. “Picnic tables are cost effective and popular because of the price point.” Jan says picnic table settings can comfortably seat six or eight students, depending on size. There are also options for inclusive tables that provide space at the head of the table to seat a wheelchair for special needs students.