Flexible Furniture Transforms Learning Spaces
Creating a Standardized, Flexible Furniture Program for Hamilton STEM Academy and Beyond
PROJECT OVERVIEW
In an effort to revitalize its learning environments, Columbus City Schools initiated a comprehensive project to transform schools throughout the district. Beyond renovating the school buildings, the district sought to establish a standardized furniture program that provided flexible furniture solutions across a range of grade levels. The district designated Hamilton STEM Academy as the prototype school to kickstart this initiative and turned to Virco PlanSCAPE® to help create their ideal learning spaces.
VIRCO SOLUTION
With Hamilton STEM Academy chosen as the model school, the district set its sights on creating a standardized, but adaptable furniture program. Their objective was to introduce durable, flexible furniture capable of accommodating a range of grade levels, accompanied by a color scheme that could be easily interchangeable amongst classrooms and schools.
Virco PlanSCAPE presented a comprehensive guide to standardize furniture district-wide. The designs covered a spectrum of flexible furniture solutions, seamlessly blending modern and traditional styles, as well as coordinated colors. The vision was to create spaces that could easily transition between collaborative group work and individual learning or testing scenarios. The furniture lineup included ergonomic seating, such as ZUMA Series 4-Leg Chairs and ZUMA Series Choose-to-Move Chairs, and desks and activity tables with adjustable heights for sitting or standing. Soft seating options were incorporated to create additional learning zones within the classrooms.
Hamilton STEM Academy now stands as a flagship school in the district, showcasing not only innovative furniture solutions but also renovations to the school building. It reflects a strategic and cost-effective collaboration between the district and Virco®, ensuring a lasting impact on the educational experiences of students and educators throughout the district. Following the success of this project, this initiative is set to expand further across Columbus City Schools.
BEFORE
AFTER
In the primary grades, furniture upgrades included ZUMA Series Hexagon Desks, ZUMA Series 4-Leg Chairs and ZUMA Series C2M Chairs. These furnishings allow for a seamless transition from group arrangements of four or six students into neat rows. Soft Seating and ZUMA Series Floor Rockers created additional flexible work zones.
For the upper grades, classrooms underwent a transformation to flexible environments with the integration of ZUMA Series Desks and 5000 Series Activity Tables in tiered heights. The furniture can be easily reconfigured to create a customizable learning environment from group work to independent tasks.
