When Elmwood Normal School developed a new learning block for its Year 3 and Year 4 classrooms, the teaching team wanted flexible furniture students could move themselves. Furnware worked with the school to plan learning spaces around how teachers and students would use them.
He Māpara Mātauranga Elmwood Normal School, Christchurch, New Zealand
Furnish a new learning block for Year 3 and Year 4 students, replacing furniture that had been used since the Canterbury earthquakes. Teachers wanted furniture students could move themselves, in colours and a style that complemented the new building.
The new block gave Elmwood Normal School the opportunity to replace classroom furniture that had been in use since the Canterbury earthquakes. Year 4 teacher Cam Ryan described the project as a chance to start again with the fit-out.
The two-level block houses Year 3 and Year 4 classrooms, along with two breakout spaces. Paired classrooms sit on either side of sliding glass partitions, allowing teachers to open two rooms into one larger learning space or keep them separate.
The teaching team’s brief focused on flexibility, ease of movement and a contemporary look. Cam Ryan said they wanted furniture students could move themselves, with colours and a style that suited the new building.
Furnware Learning Design Specialist Ian Johnstone spent time understanding how Elmwood’s teachers planned to use the new spaces. He then worked with the teaching team to develop layouts for each classroom and breakout space using Furnware’s 3D planning app, allowing staff to see how the furniture would work within the rooms before the fit-out.
“What we were primarily looking for was easy for the kids to move around the furniture, nice colours, modern look.”
The furniture selections gave teachers and students different ways to configure the classrooms. D Tables were paired with Rectangular Tables so they could be used together in groups or rearranged as activities changed.
Bodyfurn® ergonomic sled chairs and lab stools provided seating for tables at different heights, while a whiteboard-top Paparoa Table created an additional surface for collaborative work. Seating Tote Trolleys, Wave Book Displays and Double Bay Shelving provided practical storage and display throughout the learning spaces.
Colours and finishes were selected to complement the new building, creating a consistent look across the classrooms and breakout spaces.
The furniture was installed in June 2024, with students moving into the new block at the start of Term 3. Once the classrooms were in use, teachers began to notice how students were interacting with the furniture and using the spaces.
Year 4 teacher Cam Ryan observed students choosing to sit at the tables more often, moving the furniture themselves and swinging on chairs less.
“The children are finding them very comfortable. Tend to see them sitting at the table a lot more, and sometimes we’ll move the desks around, which they love doing themselves. Less swinging on chairs. They’re quite happy to sit at the table and get the work done.”
Students also commented on how the Bodyfurn seating felt to use during the school day.
“It helps me with my back because I kind of bend a lot, so it helps me to sit up straight.”
Planning a classroom, breakout space or wider school fit-out? Talk with the Furnware team about furniture and layouts suited to your students, teaching approach and learning spaces.
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