If you work in an educational establishment or you are an architect or Quantity Surveyor working on new build projects in the education sector, you may have the responsibility of specifying lecture chairs.
UK manufacturer Evertaut has
been manufacturing seating in the UK since the 1930s and has been supplying
lecture chairs to universities and other educational establishments since the
early 2000’s.
Here, the company offers some
advice and key points to consider to help you prepare for the specification
process and ultimately choose the correct seating suitable for the space and
purpose.
Whether you’re replacing seats
in an existing lecture theatre or furnishing a brand-new facility, before
researching products and suppliers, you need to clarify some basic information
which will help you in the sourcing process:
1.
Dimensions
of the lecture room
2.
Maximum
number of students that need to be accommodated
3.
Access and
space for wheelchair positions
4.
Work
surface requirements
5.
Any special
layout requirements for teaching/student collaboration
6.
Type of
upholstery
7.
Proposed
colour scheme
8.
Available
budget
9.
Deadline
for fitting
10.
Any other
special requirements
1.
Dimensions Of
The Lecture Room
Even if you’re replacing
existing seats, suppliers will need to know the dimensions of the space and
length of existing rows to assess how many seats can fit. Many manufacturers
custom make seats to order so they can be tailored to fit your space. If you
want to add extra seats whether it be an additional row or an extra seat on the
end of each existing row, suppliers will be able to advise if this is possible
whilst still keeping within current safety regulations.
For new build projects, if you
require a tiered floor installing, many lecture chair manufacturers are also
experienced in doing this. Generally, an architect will provide drawings for
the tiering but where clients choose to manage this part of the build
themselves, seating manufacturers who also manufacture and install tiering will
be able to do this. When providing measurements of the space you will also need
to confirm the ceiling height.
2.
Maximum Number
Of Students That Need To Be Accommodated
This is obviously basic information,
but it can be a critical factor in determining the type of lecture chairs you
choose. If space is at a premium then you will need to look for a seat with a
smaller footprint or at seats without any arms which will take up less space.
3.
Access And
Space For Wheelchair Positions
In any lecture theatre you
will need to ensure there is sufficient access for wheelchairs and those with a
disability, and provide space for wheelchair positions. You have the option of
leaving space permanently free to accommodate wheelchairs when required, or you
can have a section of removable seating which can be moved when wheelchair
users need to frequent the lecture theatre. The latter option allows you to
provide additional seating when no wheelchair users are present. You need to
decide which option is most suitable and how many wheelchair spaces you are
going to provide.
4.
Work
surface requirements
You need to consider the
requirements of the subjects to be taught in the lecture theatre to help you
determine what type of desks (if any) are required.
Lecture chairs can be supplied
without any desk or with a range of different desk options from writing tablets
which fold-away into the arm to long rows of fixed desking. If students will be
required to use books, tech or other equipment during lectures then individual
writing tablets may not provide sufficient workspace. If the space is
multi-purpose (eg also used for theatre performances or hired out to businesses
for corporate presentations), then fold-away writing tablets could be an ideal
solution as they can be folded away when not required.
5.
Any Special
Layout Requirements For Teaching/Student Collaboration
This is most relevant in new
build spaces where you are designing the layout from scratch. If a lot of
collaboration is required between students and teachers then straight rows of
lecture chairs may not be the ideal configuration. Many lecture theatres have
seats positioned on a curve or in the round which allows lecturers to more
easily interact with students, and lets students be able to see each other more
clearly. You need to consider what is the most appropriate solution for the
space. The layout also impacts the number of seats that will be able to fit so
you will also need to take this into consideration.
6.
Type Of
Upholstery
This is something which will
have a key bearing on the cost of your seats. Most suppliers will have a
standard contract fabric which they recommend but if you have a specific fabric
in mind then this can add additional cost. Since the arrival of COVID-19
antimicrobial vinyl upholstery is also becoming more popular for lecture
chairs.
7.
Proposed
Colour Scheme
The fabric colour will
probably be one of the final decisions you make and you don’t necessarily need
to confirm this before starting the procurement process but it’s good to know
the colour scheme you have to work with. Many designers now specify multiple
fabric colours for lecture theatre seating where different coloured seats are
installed in a uniform or random pattern. This can dramatically affect the look
and feel of a space so it’s important to get it right if you want students to feel
inspired when they walk into the lecture room. Whilst you can view fabric
colour swatches online, it’s always preferable to request sample cards as
colours can look different in reality.
8.
Available Budget
Usually the critical factor
when specifying seating, you obviously need to know what funds are available
for the lecture chairs so you can calculate a cost per seat to work with. When
obtaining quotes, check that delivery and fitting (where required) is included.
9.
Deadline For
Fitting
As most lecture chairs
supplied by UK manufacturers are made to order, the leadtime can be anything
from 4-8 weeks so you need to take this into consideration when getting quotes
and check availability with potential suppliers. The Easter and Summer holidays
are key times when demand for fitting is high, so manufacturing capacity is
often full in the weeks leading up to this. If you need to get seats manufactured
and fitted during these times you may need to book well in advance.
10.
Any Other
Special Requirements
Finally, are there any other
specific requirements for the lecture chairs/desks? This could include things
like power and cable management. Whilst you will need an electrician to install
USB charging points or plug sockets, your manufacturer can make provision for
these by machining the required sized holes in desks. There are also options
such as embroidered logos, cup holders, seat numbers, row letters, storage
pockets etc.
Taking the time to clarify all
of this information will give you more focus when researching lecture chair
options and help ensure you source the most fit for purpose seating solutions.
It will also help speed up the procurement process, allowing you to obtain
accurate quotes from the outset.
