Kimball International recently opened a new facility at its corporate headquarters in Jasper, Ind., that will act as a hands-on showroom for a variety of its furniture products and solutions, according to a news release. The 13,000-square-foot Health & Education Experience Center was originally designed by Gensler as the headquarters for Kimball International’s National brand.
On this episode of Schools in Focus, we'll talk about the role that classroom furniture plays in creating adaptive, flexible learning spaces. Our guest is Wesley Edmonds, the Director of Workplace, Adaptive Solutions at OFS.
Fellowes Contract Interiors recently partnered with Momentum Textiles & Wallcoverings to launch a new line of high-end-design, cost-effective textiles, according to a news release. Part of Momentum Textiles’ Kickstart collection, the new selection offers high-quality and versatile textiles for both smaller budgets and the early design phase of larger projects.
Furnishings manufacturer Kimball International recently announced a series of new and enhanced products for use in education, office, and healthcare spaces, according to a news release.
Recently, several school visits early in the academic year highlighted how many first-year teachers struggle to set up their classrooms effectively. It's evident that more can be done to better support them from the start, particularly in the area of classroom design.
Case Systems recently announced the launch of SALTO, a line of classroom fixtures and installations for K–12 learning spaces like STEM labs, art rooms, and makerspaces, according to a news release. The product line is designed to provide teachers with flexibility and adaptability, enabling them to shift between collaborative and individual learning environments.
Furniture solutions manufacturer KI recently announced alongside the Center for Advanced Design Research and Evaluation (CADRE) that it will become a founding sponsor for the Coalition for the Advanced Understanding of School Environments (CAUSE). A news release reports that the coalition’s research will focus on the relationship between K–12 physical environments and educational outcomes.
Commercial plumbing systems manufacturer Sloan recently announced the launch of Sloan DropSpot, the company’s first line of bottle fillers and water coolers, according to a news release. The fillers come in a stainless steel or black powder-coated finish for placement in commercial or educational environments and also include an easy-access filter for maintenance purposes.
The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) recently granted accreditation to the Kolo Pod, a product from commercial furnishings manufacturer Kimball International, as a Certified Autism Resource (CAR), according to a news release. IBCCES’s evaluation determined that the pods can help improve communication and positive outcomes for students with autism or other sensory sensitivities.
Zurn Elkay Water Solutions recently announced that the Elkay brand has expanded its certified filter capabilities to include the reduction of microplastics, as well as lead and PFOA/PFOS, according to a news release. The filters can be integrated into Elkay bottle-filling stations, water coolers, water faucets, and water fountains installed in public locations like schools, universities, hospitals, and airports.
Seating and table solutions provider Encore recently announced the expansion of its Mayland seating collection to include wood frame options, according to a news release. The collection’s guest and lounge models were intended for use in higher-education, healthcare, corporate, and hospitality environments.
Comprehensive K–12 learning environment solutions provider School Specialty recently launched its first-ever $50,000 School Makeover Sweepstakes, according to a news release. One grand-prize winner will receive a school makeover, while ten first-prize winners will get professional development packages worth up to $6,500.
Zurn Elkay Water Solutions recently announced the launch of Smart Filling Bottle Stations, the latest addition to its ezH20 Bottle Filling Station line of products. In addition to providing fresh and filtered water, the units allow facility managers to track a variety of use statistics across each one.
Workplace solutions company Fellowes recently announced that it has been awarded a cooperative purchasing agreement with government organization Sourcewell. A news release reports that Fellowes was presented with the contract in the “Furniture Solutions with Related Accessories and Services” category after a rigorous submission process that resulted in contracts meeting or exceeding local procurement requirements.
Children’s furniture manufacturer Whitney Brothers recently announced the release of a new play vehicle for young children. The Imagination Truck can be reconfigured as a food truck, an ice cream van, a mail delivery truck, and more to provide options for imaginative role play, according to a news release.
Commercial furnishings company Kimball International recently released the fourth season of its Alternative Design podcast, according to a news release. Host Kaelynn Reid, design futurist at Kimball International, will interview industry experts about the future of education through the lens of design and architecture. Episodes are available via Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, and more.
Here at Spaces4Learning, we recently launched a new resource on our website—the Glossary of School Facility Planning and Maintenance. It offers clear and concise definitions of key terms and concepts used in the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of K–12 and higher-education facilities.
As someone with ADHD, I struggled quite a bit when I was in school. I was the kid who would always get reprimanded by teachers for moving around—or, anytime I really needed to stand up or go for a walk. When I started teaching, I knew firsthand that the rigid rows of desks and chairs in the typical classroom were an antiquated approach not only for traditional students, but definitely for anyone who couldn’t “conform” to this structure.
Teknion has launched a new addition to its Kupp furniture collection: the Kupp Flip-Top table. Featuring angled legs that enable straight-line nesting and integration with the Kupp horizontal nesting chair, the tables are designed for flexibility and efficient storage, the company said in a news announcement.
Commercial furnishings manufacturer Kimball International recently announced that it has received three Best of Year (BoY) Awards from Interior Magazine. The awards recognize designers, manufacturers, and architects around the world to both showcase modern design and indicate the direction of future trends.
Airtame, developer of a hardware-enabled SaaS platform allowing collaboration in schools, and furniture designer and manufacturer Orangebox recently announced a partnership to demo their solutions in Orangebox’s showroom in New York City, according to a news release.
Interior design is often considered an art, but it’s also very much a science—especially when it comes to designing for neurodiverse populations.
OM Seating, based in Ontario, Calif., recently announced a variety of educational seating solutions via a press release.
Furniture provider KI recently announced the winners of its first-ever K–12 classroom furniture giveaway, according to a press release.
Furniture manufacturer Kimball International recently announced the launch of its “Creating Places to Belong” initiative with the goal of making employees feel valued and connected to their workplace, according to a news release.
When building our new facility, we wanted our classrooms and common areas to be very comfortable, safe, and inviting for students. We wanted furniture that promoted that atmosphere and culture.
Children’s furniture solutions company Whitney Brothers recently introduced a new product that combines a play house cube and a light table.
From students to faculty, any school’s first priority should be the safety of people on campus. By now, you’ve probably learned that safety signage plays a vital role in keeping people safe at your school. From the parking lot to the playground, having the proper school safety signs not only keeps your students and faculty safe but also helps you avoid costly lawsuits or OSHA fines.
The classrooms of today are spacing students farther apart and emphasizing other aspects of health and wellness. That's what a survey of 140 teachers by National Business Furniture found.
Furnishings company Kimball International recently received the Outstanding Organization Award from Women in Healthcare.