Blogs — learning spaces

RSS

Our Projects: Pendle Hill High School in Sydney

Pendle Hill High School, a co-educational public institution in Western Sydney, serves over 400 students with a commitment to offering an outstanding, engaging learning environment. The school's recent addition, the H Block, proudly showcases office space for staff, a library, and 14 classrooms, all expertly designed to optimize the learning experience while promoting collaboration, creativity, and adaptability.

Office Line collaborated with the design team at Fulton Trotter Architects to deliver comprehensive educational furniture solutions, meeting the specific requirements of the school and its students. Our furniture selections included ergonomic desks, chairs, bookcases, and storage solutions that not only enhanced the functionality of each space but also contributed to the overall aesthetic appeal.

Some of the standout furniture pieces and spaces within the H Block include:

Shared Study Circles

Our Warwick Beachcomber fabric-upholstered Simba Chairs in Cobalt and Marine colours with a sleek black frame provide a stylish and comfortable seating option, while our tables with white writable tops and colour-matched edges create a surface for writing and sketching ideas.

These study circles are ideal for brainstorming and collaborative work, allowing students to share ideas and work together in a dynamic space. 

     
      

Workshop and Interview/Practice rooms

For the workshops/interview rooms we provide the I.AM table with writable top. Although another supplier provide the chairs, we would combine them with our Retro Chair 5 Star Swivel with Warwick Dolly Ash Fabrics, keeping that elegant and slay aesthetics.  

     

Library

This inviting space features an array of furniture promoting both individual and group study. Prive 3-Seater Lounges with finishes in Warwick Keylargo fabric upholstery create a semi-private seating area, while Spectator 45° Curved Inner High Back Lounge and Sit or Sway Ottomans offer flexible, comfortable seating options. I.AM Folding Tables, Spectator 45° Curved Bookcases & Benches with writable tops & colour matched edges transform the library into a multifunctional space for learning and collaboration. A dedicated quiet study area equipped with ergonomic chairs and individual study cubicles allows for focused work.

     

Seminar Rooms

Featuring I.AM Folding Tables in various sizes and finishes, these rooms can easily be reconfigured to accommodate different learning activities. The writable tops and mobile whiteboards enhance the flexibility and adaptability of these seminar rooms.

The result of our collaboration is a stunning and functional new block that has become the pride of Pendle Hill High School. The furniture we provided not only creates a comfortable and functional learning environment but also enhances the overall aesthetic appeal of the building.

At Office Line, we take pride in providing our clients with the best possible solutions to meet their needs. We are delighted to have been a part of the Pendle Hill High School project and look forward to continuing to provide innovative and high-quality educational furniture solutions to schools, universities, offices, and councils across Australia.

 

The Importance of Specialised Furniture for Neurodiverse Kids

With autism and other neurodivergent conditions affecting around one in every 54 children, furniture that is specifically designed for neurodiverse kids is becoming increasingly popular because it is designed with students’ unique needs in mind to make a difference in their daily lives.

What is Neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity is a term used to describe the natural variation in the human brain. It recognizes that people's brains are wired differently, and that this is not a defect, but rather a normal variation in the human experience. Neurodiversity can include conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and Tourette's syndrome, among others.

 

Why is Specialised Furniture Important for Neurodiverse Kids?

Neurodiverse kids have different sensory needs and sensitivities than their neurotypical peers. They may be hypersensitive to certain textures or sounds, or they may crave certain types of sensory input. Furniture that is designed with these needs in mind can help them feel more comfortable and supported in their living spaces.

For example, some students may benefit from furniture that provides deep pressure, such as beanbag chairs or weighted blankets. Others may need furniture that is designed to minimize sensory input, such as soundproofing or blackout curtains.

This specialised furniture can also be designed to be more durable and resistant to wear and tear, which is important for kids who may be more active or rough with their furniture. Safety also needs to be especially considered and include features such as rounded edges or non-slip surfaces to protect the students.

 

The importance of Proprioceptive

Proprioception, our "sixth sense," is the sensory system that helps us understand our body's position and movement in space. It relies on receptors in our muscles, tendons, and joints that send signals to the brain about our body's position, movement, and the amount of force exerted.

In daily life, proprioception enables us to walk, reach for objects, and maintain balance without constantly looking at our limbs. It also helps us adjust the force and coordination of our movements based on the feedback received from the proprioceptive system.

For kids with sensory processing difficulties or neurodiverse conditions, the proprioceptive system may not function optimally, leading to challenges with motor skills, coordination, and body awareness.Incorporating proprioceptive elements in furniture and learning spaces can make a significant difference for the students.

Here are some examples of amazing furniture pieces perfect for developing inclusive learning spaces:   

1. Sensory Chairs:Sensory chairs are designed to provide deep pressure and proprioceptive input, which can help regulate the nervous system and improve focus. These chairs often have a wide base for stability and are filled with foam or other materials that provide firm support.

2. Soundproofing Panels:Soundproofing panels can be placed on walls or ceilings to help reduce noise levels in a room. This can be helpful for neurodiverse kids who may be hypersensitive to sound.

3. Wobble Chairs:Wobble chairs are designed to allow for movement while sitting, which can help improve focus and concentration. These chairs often have a rounded base that allows them to tilt and rock without tipping over.

4. Rocking Chairs:Rocking chairs can provide a calming and rhythmic motion that can help regulate the nervous system. They can be used for relaxation or to improve focus and concentration.

5. Tactile Mats:Tactile mats are mats with different textures and materials for kids to explore and touch. They can be used for sensory play and exploration and can help improve tactile awareness and sensitivity.

 

Tailored furniture for neurodiverse children can significantly impact their day-to-day experiences. By offering furniture designed specifically for their distinct needs, these kids can enjoy greater comfort and support in their living environments.

Let us help you create the perfect space for them!

For more information about neurodiversity and how you can get involved, visit: https://www.neurodiversityweek.com/ 

 

Our Projects: Peter Carnley Anglican Community School

 

Peter Carnley Anglican Community School's latest addition to their already impressive facilities, is The Hub, an Innovative and flexible learning centre. This space includes a senior reading lounge, collaborative spaces for E-learning, meeting/multi-purpose rooms, and a junior library area. The Office Line team worked hard to design and furnish a magnificent space which promotes creativity and collaboration, and exceed the school’s needs and expectations. 

COLOURS AND FABRICS

Finishes are a very important part of our projects. In this case our interior design team selected Laminex’s Seasoned Oak, a soft warm oak with subtle grain, and Warwick Fabric’s Gravity range in Pomegranate, Navy and Forest shades. The Gravity fabric was chosen for its heavy commercial properties, calm muted tones, and subtle tactile herringbone texture. These selections help the educational furniture support flexible learning and create a comfortable and inviting space for students to learn, read and collaborate. 

SENIOR READING LOUNGE

We designed a comfortable, open space that takes advantage of natural light coming in from the 12m span of windows. The curved Spectator Bookcase Collection with round I.AM tables and Eduflex Ottomans creates a perfect area for students to sit and work together, with ample shelving and relaxed bench seating below the windowsill. Ponder Lounges and joiner ottomans are also used as casual seating throughout the learning space, with a low 850h back and many configuration options to suit different group sizes. 

 

Design Proposal:

 

Final Results:
       
       

MAIN COLLABORATIVE SPACE

This 21st century learning space was designed to be flexible and encourage students to share ideas and engage in E-learning activities. It’s thrilling to see students fill this area with colours and vibrancy as they interact freely. The large U-Shaped Spectator Bench Setting seats up to 32 students and the wrap around benching combined with Eduflex Laptop Tables in the centre enable the use of devices, and foster the open, collaborative nature of this learning space. 

 

Design Proposal:

 

Final Results:

       

 

THE JUNIOR FICTION

This area is benchmarked by a Office Line’s Swell Collection, that was designed and manufactured specifically for the project. It offers 3 tiers of seating with 3 different heights: 300h, 450h and 600h for students to sit, read and learn in their own way. This space also has clusters of Spectator Bookcase Lounges in 90-degree segments around circular I.AM tables that provide an attractive surface for all reading, learning and creative activities of the younger students. 

 

Design Proposal:

 

Final Results:

       
Book Browser Boxes were custom made to provide multiuse storage for larger picture books and hard cover children's books, as well as a display section in the lower sides. They are mobile and manufactured in the same Laminex colours as the bookcases and table tops. 
       
      

Office Line’s portion of this fantastic project was successfully completed on time and within budget, fully meeting our clients expectation. Our team is delighted with the final outcome and would like to thank the school management for their trust and support throughout the process. Their confidence in the team's expertise in design and product selection was instrumental in the success of the project, and we were proud to be able to support their expectation along the journey with our market leading communication and personal support.

At Office Line we genuinely care about our clients!  

Our Projects: Salvado Catholic College

Salvado Catholic College have been a loyal customer of Office Line’s for many years. We are proud of the work we have done on learning area designs and layouts, and the manufacture of the educational furniture within the school. We have witnessed the growth of Salvado Catholic College from it’s opening in 2016 until now and feel privileged to be part of their journey.

 

The power of flexible learning spaces

In recent years, more schools are beginning to adopt learning spaces that allow students to work in different spaces that facilitate more open-ended learning and collaboration. Students and teachers alike have been celebrating these new types of learning environments that encourage students to take ownership over their own learning and be accountable for their own education.

The idea of letting children play and learn without the constraints of a formal classroom is not new; both Montessori and Waldorf schools, for example, are based on this idea. But it has been difficult to measure the effect these environments have comparing with a traditional classroom setting.

Student chairs, students desks, tables, classroom, learning space

A study performed by the Gensler Research Institute measured the impact on students' attention and engagement in an enhanced learning environment, one that was flexible and mobile enough to provide students with opportunities to choose their own activities, learn from one another, and engage in hands-on work. The results found that students in the enhanced space spent less time learning from the teacher and more from one another and by themselves, reporting an increase in the efficacy across all learning modes—that is, an improvement in their ability to focus, collaborate, acquire, and convey information in the learning space.

The research also showed a higher productivity and commitment, thanks to the feeling of support by having the chance to work collaboratively with one another in a social setting and experiencing greater feelings of connectedness, which further create a positive association toward the school itself.

Colourful classroom, Students chairs, desks, flexible classroom, Learning spaces

In addition to this, the role of presenter seamlessly shifts between teacher and student; as such, they were able to interact with the material at a deeper level than they could have when they were passive receptacles for information.

If you're interested in creating your own flexible learning space, there are some simple changes you can make. Many people are surprised to find that there is a huge difference between an ordinary classroom and a classroom designed to allow for flexibility in learning.

At Office Line, we believe education can be transformed by design, which is why our goal is to create spaces that support collaboration, bring students and teachers together and encourage creativity, our expertise can help you create the perfect space for your school.

ottoman, chairs, tables with coasters, furniture, classroom

 

Our experts are ready to assist you on the journey. give us a call 1800 762 460 or email us: info@officeline.com.au

Newman College Case Study

Newman College embraces creativity and innovation in their learning spaces and knows how important these environments are to the education, wellbeing and interactions of their students. That is why we, at Office Line, felt privileged to be able to support them in refurbishing their main learning Hub.

The St John Henry Newman Learning Hub is a key facility at Newman College, featuring a main open plan learning space, with breakout rooms, meeting areas and lecture theatre branching off. The three-story building provides modern collaboration spaces, and state of the art learning resources for students to work together and individually.