Although the design of lecture theatres in new university buildings will involve architects and interior designers, once existing facilities require updating it is often down to Estates Managers to specify requirements and commission replacement seating installations.
As a key feature in any auditorium teaching space, the specification of lecture seating is crucial to facilitate a positive learning experience for students.
Use the Right Colours to Create a Positive Ambience
As lecture seating is a long-term investment which provides many years of service, replacement or refurbishment provides an opportunity to update the colour scheme and refresh the space. It could be that the current fabric colours now look dated or that you want to brighten things up with bolder colours to bring more energy to the room.
Some designers inject colour in a lecture room through the seating, opting to keep walls fairly neutral. Others go bold with colourful décor and seats for a really vibrant ambience. In contrast, darker coloured seats are frequently commissioned where a more serious, corporate look is required. Generally, pale and pastel colours help create a relaxed and calm atmosphere whilst bold or multi-coloured seats give a livelier look and feel.
The image below shows how the same design lecture seat in different fabric colours can be used to create different looks. Additional options for customisation include under-seat boards, desks and modesty panels which are available in a wide range of colours and finishes.
Ensure Seats are Comfortable and Sightlines are Clear to Allow Focus on Teaching
Whilst the colour scheme and ambience in a lecture theatre help facilitate a positive learning environment, this is only one of several elements required. If students are to focus on what is being taught, a comfortable seat and a clear view go hand in hand. Seat shuffling is an inevitable consequence if one or both of these are not provided. This ultimately leads to distraction and a lack of focus.
If you’re looking to work with a new supplier or manufacturer who’s seats you haven’t seen or used before, you can request a sample seat to trial. Alternatively, it may be possible for you to visit another establishment where the same seats are already fitted. When testing out any potential new seats, it’s important to remember that sitting for a few minutes is very different to sitting for several hours and you need to consider the long-term comfort factor.
You will already be able to determine if your existing seats provide a clear view and where there are issues with this your seating supplier can advise how to rectify it.
Choose the Most Appropriate Desk Type
When updating lecture spaces it’s important to ensure that students will have sufficient workspace for any devices or equipment they may need to use during lectures.
Desk options include rows of fixed desks, individual folding desks and anti-panic writing tablets. The latter two are useful in multi-purpose spaces or those where a desk isn’t always needed as they can be folded out of the way when not required, giving the user more space.
Most new lecture seating installations now incorporate power and charging sockets and this is something that could be added during the upgrade or refurbishment if required.
Ensure Compliance with the Equality Act
In addition to all the aforementioned factors, for students with a disability there also needs to be ease of access into the lecture room and provision for them to sit alongside fellow students, rather than be separated or isolated from the group. This can be a problem in many older buildings where disability access was not necessarily considered at the time of construction. Whilst universities have since been adapted to facilitate access for wheelchair users, there are still issues in some lecture theatres which need to be addressed in order to provide a fully inclusive learning facility.
Consider the Option of Refurbishment
When it’s time to give lecture spaces a refresh, there is also an option to refurbish seating. This provides the opportunity to change the colour scheme without going to the expense of a complete seating replacement. Seats can be reupholstered with new fabric whilst foams can be replaced where required. Where under-seat boards are present, they can either be removed completely or repainted/varnished. Desks can also be replaced if necessary.
Find a Reliable Lecture Seating Manufacturer
For those unfamiliar with commissioning new lecture seating, finding a reliable manufacturer to work with is key. They can offer advice on seat and desk specifications and manage the project from design to installation. If you need to increase or reduce capacity in the lecture theatre they can also draw up a new seating plan which complies with all necessary regulations. Many seating manufacturers also offer refurbishment services and will be able to advise on the options available to you based on the condition of your existing seats.
Evertaut Limited 