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.

Guide to Sourcing New Lecture Theatre Seating

Refurbishing a lecture theatre can seem like a daunting task to those not experienced in handling this type of project. The cost of new lecture theatre seating is a big outlay and you want to ensure you choose the best seats for your budget that will withstand the wear and tear they will be subjected to in a busy educational establishment. 

Getting the right supplier on board is critical to the success of any lecture theatre refurbishment project as they can guide you through the process and help with all those elements you will be unfamiliar with. 

Below follows a summary of the points you will need to consider when sourcing new lecture theatre seating to help you prepare for conversations with potential suppliers and to ensure everything is covered.

Aesthetics & Comfort 

When looking at potential new lecture theatre seats it’s probably the aesthetics that will attract you to a particular style but it’s vital to ensure that style and comfort go hand in hand. With lectures usually lasting a minimum of 2 hours you need to ensure that your students will be comfortable so they can concentrate on the lecture and not be distracted by shuffling around due to a hard, lumpy or generally uncomfortable seat. 

Seats need to offer sufficient personal space so students don’t feel too enclosed, seat backs need to provide support and comfort whilst the seats themselves should be supportive and sufficiently cushioned to ensure long term comfort. 

It’s a good idea to try out your preferred seats before making a final purchase decision as the only way to truly asses the suitability of a lecture theatre seat is to sit in it yourself for a few hours. Most suppliers should be able to loan you a sample seat so you can do this. 

Upholstery Fabric 

The colour of your seating is key to the ambience you create in the lecture theatre. If you don’t have a set brief in terms of the look then consider how different colours can impact mood and how you want students to feel when they enter the room. If your current seats are dark and dull, you could take this opportunity to re-energise the space with bright or bold colours or create interest by choosing several different colours which can be fitted in a uniform or random pattern. 

Whilst you can view fabric swatch cards online, it’s important to remember that colours in reality can look quite different to on screen so if you are very specific about the shade you want then ask your supplier to send you a physical swatch card or request swatches of the colours you like.

Work Space 

Lecture theatre seats are usually accompanied by either rows of fixed desks or individual writing tablets. Fixed desks obviously offer the most generous work space and if students need to use tech or work in collaboration with each other then these are usually the preferred option. Writing tablets can usually be folded away into the seat arm and these are ideal where students may just need to make notes or don’t need any equipment. 

Whichever style of desk you choose you’ll have the option of several different finishes from solid colour laminates, to wood effect or real wood. Laminates are a more robust choice in lecture theatres as real wood can easily be damaged and dented. 

Technology 

It’s likely your existing seats will have been in place for at least 5-10 years and so there may now be a need for tech elements to be incorporated which may not have been a requirement when the seats were first fitted. Desktop charging points and plug sockets are now a common feature in lecture theatres and so any new seats and desks will need to allow for the electricals to be fitted with wiring running within the seat frames and under the floor. Whilst most seating suppliers won’t get involved with the electrics, they can prepare the seats and desks ready to accept sockets and wires by drilling holes in the appropriate places and machining holes for sockets in the desks during the manufacturing process.

Flooring 

As it’s unlikely that any new seats you choose will have exactly the same footprint as the old ones you need to consider how this impacts the flooring and any repairs that may need to be carried out once the existing seats are ripped out. 

If your lecture theatre already has a tiered floor then the seats you choose will need to fit on the existing tiers whilst still providing sufficient walkways to comply with fire regulations. Experienced seating suppliers will be fully au fait with the regulations and can advise on this. 

If you’re going to the expense of purchasing new seating it’s advisable to also have a new carpet fitted. An old, worn carpet is not a great backdrop for smart new seats and will devalue what you have done to improve the seats. Some seating suppliers will source and fit the carpeting for you whilst others will not get involved with this element. If you need to organise new carpet yourself then you will need to co-ordinate timings with both suppliers to ensure the job runs smoothly and is completed in a timely manner.

Removal and Disposal of Existing Lecture Theatre Seats 

Lecture theatre chairs are usually large, bulky items and if you’ve got hundreds of them it’s not always an easy task to dispose of them. Not only will you need to find somewhere that will take them off your hands, you will also need to pay them to do so. It’s also important to ensure they are disposed of responsibly and that components are recycled wherever possible. Again, many seating suppliers can handle this for you and will remove the old seats and take them away, prior to fitting the new ones so you don’t have to store them on-site. 

Fitting New Lecture Theatre Seating 

It’s usually preferable to find a manufacturer who can also fit the seats for you to give a complete and seamless service.They know their own seats and can easily rectify any problems that may arise during the installation process. 

Warranty & After Sales Service 

As lecture theatre seating is subjected to high frequency usage, always check what warranty is supplied with any seats you are considering. Note that a warranty will not cover general wear and tear or damage inflicted by students but it should cover the seat structure which should be suitable to withstand daily repeated usage in an educational setting. 

Good quality lecture theatre seating should not require much maintenance aside from general cleaning but it’s good to have the peace of mind that your supplier will be on hand should any problems arise post-fitting.

About Evertaut 

Evertaut has been manufacturing seating in the UK for over 80 years. As established suppliers to the education sector they have designed, manufactured and installed lecture theatre seating in universities and colleges right across the UK.

Finance Your New Theatre Seating With Leasing

Whether you’re looking to replace or refurbish your theatre seating, leasing is an option you may not have considered.

Replacing the seating in your theatre is a big investment but whilst it’s a job that may need doing urgently, a lack of funding is often the main cause of delay in going ahead with such works. Fundraising to upgrade the seating in your auditorium can sometimes take years, meanwhile audiences can be tempted away to newer venues or alternative means of entertainment. 

As a solution to this common problem, Evertaut is now offering leasing as an option to Limited Companies who don’t want to wait to replace or refurbish their seating. Replacing your seating without delay will enhance the theatre experience for your audience and attract new patrons – increasing revenue with immediate effect. Leasing can also be a surprisingly cost-effective option as it’s fully tax deductible against profits, and with fixed interest and fixed monthly payments you always know exactly what you’ll be paying with no unexpected costs.

Key Benefits of Leasing:

• Upgrade your seating without delay
• No major up-front costs
• Fixed monthly payments
• Fixed interest
• Tax deductible against profits

So if your theatre seating has seen better days you can replace or refurbish it immediately and begin to reap the rewards straight away. This allows you the flexibility to pay for it on a monthly basis over several years, meanwhile your fundraising activities can continue to help with the repayments.

To find out more about leasing, or for a no-obligation quotation, please contact our Director, Nigel Smalley on 01254 297880.

Click here to take a look at Evertaut’s range of theatre seating which can be tailored to your requirements.

Click here to find out more about our seating refurbishment service.