Auditorium Seating for Learning Environments

Lessons in higher education establishments are commonly taught in auditorium style teaching spaces. From large lecture theatres which can accommodate many hundreds of students to smaller classrooms set up auditorium style with a tiered floor.

Auditorium seating is robust and hard wearing, often giving many decades of service as it can withstand rigorous wear and tear. With a wide choice of seating styles and fabric colours, commercial interior designers use auditorium seating to help create modern and vibrant teaching spaces.

The majority of lecture theatres in universities and colleges will need either desks or some kind of writing surface. Most lecture theatre seating designed for auditorium use will come with the option of integral desks, whether that be individual folding writing tablets or long continuous rows of desking. It’s also possible to get standalone seats without any desks attached, similar to those found in theatres or independent cinemas.

Auditorium seating without desks

Large lecture theatre with rows of blue auditorium seating 

For classes where students or delegates are just watching and listening it may be that only seats are needed and there is no requirement for desks, as shown in the lecture theatre above. These bold blue seats create a professional image in this smart lecture theatre.

Auditorium Seating with rows of fixed desks

Large lecture theatre with rows of auditorium seating incorporating integral rows of desking

Where desks are needed, continuous rows as shown above are usually the most economical option. They are often attached to the top edge of seat backs with only a standalone desk and integral modesty panel required on the front row. This type of desking is usually fixed and can incorporate power and data sockets.

This is a good option where students may need to use lots of equipment and/or work collaboratively.

Auditorium seating with rows of folding desks

Small lecture theatre with rows of orange auditorium seating incorporating individual folding desks

A similar option to the above is where each seat has its own folding desk which can simply be ‘folded’ up out of the way when not required. This makes for easier access along the rows but gives less desktop space to each student. This style of desk is not ideal if power and data sockets are needed due to the fact that desktops are not stationary.

Auditorium seating with individual writing tablets

Large lecture theatre with rows of auditorium seating incorporating individual anti-panic writing tablets

This style of auditorium seating incorporates writing tablets which simply fold-away into the seat arm when not in use. This allows easy access along rows and prevents the writing surface being an obstruction when not required. Writing tablets such as these are usually ‘anti-panic,’ meaning they will automatically flip-up and fold back into the arm if someone stands quickly when the tablet is still in use (ie if there is a fire alarm or other emergency causing the user to potentially panic and try to exit their seat quickly).

This is a just a basic overview of the different types of seat and desk combinations on the market today. All of these auditorium seats can be used in small or large teaching spaces and are suitable for use on tiered, raked or flat floors.