THE DESIGN OF SCHOOL FURNITURE FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN

摘要

This paper outlines the research and design process involved in the development of “Perch -A school chair and desk for primary school children”, and documents the implementation of a new and innovative solution. School children experience a surprisingly high level of discomfort, pain, injury and musculoskeletal disorder, due to the prolonged use of unsuitable seating and desks. “Statistics show that half of all children... have back problems at some time and that in 8% of cases it is serious enough to affect their attendance at school” (ELLIOTT, J. 2006). This is not unique to the Irish education system; numerous studies have shown that this is a global problem. Primary school children require carefully designed furniture in the classroom, where they regularly maintain static postures for long periods of time. More importantly, primary schools prepare children for a sedentary way of life. The project centres on the investigation of ergonomics and usability, the exploration of this research in a series of user tests and the creative implementation of the results in a new design. The solution proposed incorporates a new, patented, flexible seat pan, with a unique height adjustment feature and adjustable desk with sloped worksurface. The improved posture and the practical resolution of storage facilities offer students and teachers improved flexibility in the classroom and overall enhanced modern learning environments.