Contract - March 2012 - (Page 24)

product focus User Friendly The Learn2 seating collection by KI offers mobility and comfort It’s only natural that technological advances would lead to changes in educational environments and, therefore, furniture. This means enhanced mobility and configurability, both of which are strengths of KI’s Learn2 series. Winner of Best of NeoCon® Gold in 2011 in the Education Solutions category, Learn2 is an all-in-one chair and shelf unit, with optional desk, that easily adapts to different settings. Instead of a clunky lateral shelf under the seat that limits foot placement and visually weighs down the chair, Learn2 sports angled mesh racks that stash books and more without getting in the way of the person’s legs. Casters or glides allow the chairs to easily be moved to accommodate traditional instruction, collaboration, or round-table discussion. And the company’s gently curving Wave (left) or slim-profile, flex-back Strive (right) seat shells round out the modern styling of the product. Both are polypropylene and can be specified with upholstered seats. 24 What sets Learn2 apart even more, however, is its user comfort and adaptability—an area where educational desking and seating seriously lags behind office furniture design. “Students overcome the comfort and application limitations of products by finding ‘workarounds’ that better conform to their individual needs,” explains Shawn Green, vice president of design and product marketing for KI. Learn2 addresses these issues with features such as a swiveling seat that eases entry into the chair and a work surface that adjusts for different postures. Its support arm also rotates up to 220 degrees toward either side, eliminating the old righty/lefty desk issue. And many other options enhance comfort. “There are strong corollaries between student comfort and learning retention. The thought process was simple: If you deliver high user comfort, students will focus more.” —Sheila Kim ki.com reader service No. 211 contractdesign.com MArcH 2012 http://www.ki.com http://www.contractdesign.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Contract - March 2012

Contract - March 2012
Table of Contents
Editorial
Industry News
Product Focus: Cool for School
Product Focus: User Friendly
Product Briefs: Head of the Class
Design Shaping the 21st Century College Campus
Interior Space as Commodity on Campus: An Opportunity for Designers
PACCAR Hall University of Washington
Umeå School of Architecture
Coventry University Hub
Centennial College Library and Academic Facility
Practice: Economy Fuels Design Reinvention
Designers Select: Resilient and Tile Flooring
Sources
Ad Index
Perspectives

Contract - March 2012