Lee Stanier

Puplis Workstation - RSA competition: Furniture for real environments Teaching methods in the last fifty years have changed an appreciable amount, but classroom furniture has not moved beyond tradition. We propose to change the stereotype of the desk and chair, and design a workstation which children can use to work and play. Our workstation is built around group experience and participation. Two children can be at a desk at any given time, and can use their ‘pets’ to sit on or alternately place them back in their ‘homes.’ Inspired by the sculptural elements of Henry Moore, the fluid lines of an organic abstraction and pastel colours of the stool and the ‘home’ can appeal to the inquisitive children of the 21st century, and can let their imaginations run wild. The pupil saddle complete with prints, kennel form and subtle sculptural shape of the ‘pet’, portrays animalistic qualities, which the child will recognise. Both the stool and the workstation consist of rotational moulded polypropylene, which can be wiped clean. It also has a 4mm thick wall thickness, but is reinforced in areas where pressure may be applied with ribs. This will not only make the stool lighter, but save on material costs. ‘Pets’ can be taken away from the workstation for role-playing or can be used for seating during story time. The child can place a pupil saddle over the stool, which not only aids comfort, but can organize their stationary whilst they work, with the strategically positioned pencil holders. The saddle comes in a variety of styles of animal skins, and is a top layer of canvas. The underside layer is thin neoprene and will grip the stool but also acts as a protective layer when the saddle is folded in half and can be used as a bag when the school day is ended.