Whether you’re a small college or a big university, ensuring your teaching rooms are engaging places is vitally important. If students are to be effective learners, it goes without saying that they need to clearly see and hear the teacher or lecturer and be able to sit comfortably without distraction. Whilst tiered seating is often found in large lecture theatres where it wouldn’t be practical to have hundreds of students sat on one level, it can also be used in much smaller spaces. Better sightlines help improve focus and reduce distraction On a tiered floor each row of seating is higher than the one in front, providing students with a much clearer view towards the front of the room where the teacher or lecturer will stand. Whilst this may not seem necessary in smaller spaces, you have to consider that someone sat only a few rows from the front on a level floor may struggle to see if there are taller people sat in front of them – this immediately causes distraction which can result in loss of focus. Tiered seating improves sightlines, allowing students to clearly see the teacher and any information being presented to them. It means they don’t need to shuffle around to get a good view and don’t miss out on important details. It also helps improve audibility for students. Maximise capacity without reducing individual workspace If you’re tight on space to accommodate the required number of students, seating in uniform rows allows you to maximise capacity whereas individual chairs positioned around tables take up significantly more space. Tiered seating can be supplied with rows of fixed desks which provide students with ample workspace for learning materials and tech. This option is also best for collaboration when students may need to work together or share information. An alternative to this are individual writing tablets which fold away into the chair arms. These are best for simple note taking and for spaces where a desktop is not always required. Teaching spaces remain presentable and organised Another benefit of tiered seating which is fixed to the floor is that the room remains presentable at all times. Seats and desks cannot be moved around by students so the space will always remain tidy and rows will remain clear and accessible for cleaning. Tiered structures can be custom made for any space Whatever the size of your room and whether you want seats positioned in straight, curved or angled rows, a tiered structure can be custom made to accommodate your requirements. Tiers don’t have to incorporate huge steps as even a small increase in height on each row makes a big difference to sightlines and acoustics. For larger spaces with high ceilings where tiers can be deeper, intersteps will be fitted for safety so that each row of tiering has several steps up to it (as can be seen below right), rather than one very tall step. Tiered structures can accommodate all underfloor services and include ventilation and cable management for power and data. Tiered structures in the UK should comply with British Standards codes of practice.
Fixed lecture theatre seating is strong and durable Seats that are specially designed for lecture theatres are manufactured to be hard-wearing and durable, and to withstand the daily demands of education environments. Good quality fixed lecture seating is usually manufactured with a steel frame for strength and stability, and deeply cushioned seats and backs for comfort.
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As stadium seating continues to evolve, more UK football clubs are upgrading sections of their stadia to offer enhanced comfort and luxury beyond the executive boxes. Deeply cushioned, high backed stadium seats can now be found at most top level clubs and even the lower leagues are starting to introduce areas of premium seating. For those accustomed to sitting in executive boxes this type of comfortable stadium seating is expected as standard, however when it comes to executive stadium seats the UK still has a long way to go to catch up with its counterparts in the US in terms of luxury. Back in 2008 the University of Kansas Memorial Stadium introduced luxury reclining stadium seating as a way to raise revenues whilst adding excitement to the open end zone of the stadium. At the time the plush seating was seven times more expensive than what had previously been the most expensive non-suite season tickets. At $2,500 for a season ticket, free food and drinks along with flat screen TVs were included in the price. More recently, the billionaire owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars took premium seating to the next level when he added swimming pools to new private cabanas suspended above the stadium, introduced as part of a $63 million stadium renovation in 2015. For $3,000 guests can rent one of these private cabanas and relax in the pool whilst watching the game. Back to a more conventional style of seating, at The Miami Dolphins’ Hard Rock Stadium wealthy fans can book four seats in The Living Room suite at a cost of $75,000. This exclusive VIP suite includes 32 luxury reclining armchairs with iPads, and TVs. Time will tell if UK stadiums eventually adopt this level of luxury but the weather in this country certainly has a bearing on what can be exposed to the elements. Heated seat and back pads within stadium seats are a welcome luxury on cold UK match days so the idea of watching the match from a roof top swimming pool may not be so popular over here!
Whilst waiting rooms are not usually a place people want to spend much time in, the reality is that in many establishments patrons may have to wait for significant periods of time. Whether it’s waiting for a hospital or dental appointment, or waiting for a job interview or meeting, waiting rooms can often be locations where people feel uncomfortable or apprehensive about what’s to come. As the owner or manager of an establishment with a waiting room there are several things you can do to build a more positive environment and make the waiting experience more comfortable. Whilst the waiting room décor may be the first thing you think about changing, the waiting room chairs and their layout are also key factors perhaps of even more importance. Planning the Layout of Waiting Room Chairs When it comes to the seating in a waiting room it’s equally important to consider the layout as it is the type of seating itself. How the waiting room chairs should best be configured will depend on the type of establishment, the number and type of visitors you have and how long they may have to wait on average. You also need to ensure the area is accessible for wheelchair users and if relevant, pushchairs and prams. If your waiting room gets very busy and your seating is positioned in rows you need to ensure there is both sufficient leg room and space for people to comfortably pass each other so that patrons are not having to squeeze past others to get to a seat. You also need to take into account fire regulations. If you plan to position your seats facing each other it’s important they aren’t too close together as this could make people feel uncomfortable if sat opposite strangers in close proximity. If you often have children in your waiting room, think about whether you want to create a separate play area or corner for them where there are distractions to keep them entertained whilst they wait. Many hospitals even have separate family waiting rooms where there are toys and activities to keep children occupied without disturbing others. If your visitors tend to be groups of people rather than individuals then a more relaxed seating layout may be preferred where they can engage with each other whilst waiting. Even if this is not the case, a more relaxed and informal style of seating is usually a lot more comfortable than a row of chairs and can help to put patrons more at ease whilst they wait. Choosing Waiting Room Chairs For waiting rooms which are effectively in a corridor then bench or beam seating is probably the most suitable option where it can sit against the wall in a single row. This type of seating can usually incorporate tables if required. The other benefit of beam seating is that it can include flip-up seats which are also a space saving solution in narrow areas. If you often need to change the configuration of the seating in your waiting room or have different volumes of people visiting at different times then stackable seating could be a good option. This type of waiting room chairs can often be supplied with a storage trolley, allowing you to put out the quantity of seats you need and easily transport any spare chairs around a building or store away in a separate area. There are a variety of different stacking chairs on the market and many can incorporate padded seats making them much more comfortable than traditional plastic stacking chairs. In medical establishments where many patrons may be elderly or have mobility issues, a more spacious and padded type of chair may be required. Chair arms can be an aid to helping people sit down and get up and it’s important that seats are not too low down as this could cause problems for those who cannot easily get up and down unassisted. In offices and corporate buildings your reception area helps set the first impression of your business when visitors first walk through the door so it’s important that the style of seating reflects the image you want to portray. Whether this is modern, traditional, relaxed or formal you need to consider how the seating you choose fits in with this. Whatever type of establishment you have, low, padded seating is generally more relaxed whilst standard height chairs usually present a more formal image. If your visitors are often required to wait for long periods of time then it’s important you provide seating that will offer long-term comfort as this can have a big impact on their impression of the environment you create. A lightly padded chair may be comfortable for 5 minutes but after 40 minutes it may start to feel a lot less so. Checklist of considerations when choosing waiting room chairs:
Plain white walls may be a simple and clean solution but they don’t offer much stimulation for the visitor sat looking at them! Green is well-known to be a calming colour and is also currently on trend with ‘Greenery’ being named the Pantone Colour of the Year 2017. Of course you can choose any colour, but a splash of colour does brighten things up and makes the area more stimulating to be in. Dependent on the type of establishment you may want to incorporate a feature wall decorated with wallpaper, a mural or a selection of images. If this seems a step too far then simply painting walls in 2 different colours can help make the room more interesting. Adding pictures or posters is a simple and cost-effective way to break up a blank wall and make the room more visually appealing. A noticeboard is a common feature in the waiting rooms of many medical establishments and can offer a distraction to patrons if there’s something of interest for them to look at or read. Think about how you display information on the board and keep it up to date so that the information remains relevant and current. In corporate offices a waiting room is usually also the reception area so could include images on the walls showing the company history, or the company’s products and people at work. If the company is a manufacturer or supplier of products then a reception or waiting area is also a good place to showcase the company’s product range to visitors. Once you’ve planned the décor, seating layout and choice of waiting room chairs you can add the final touches to keep patrons occupied or distracted whilst they wait. This could include magazines, books, information or advice leaflets, corporate brochures, a television or radio, and childrens’ toys. Considering all the elements discussed will help ensure your waiting room is a more pleasant place to be and will help you build a positive environment. About Evertaut Evertaut is a leading UK manufacturer and supplier of waiting room chairs. The company’s seats can be found in offices,hospitals, educational establishments, and a range of other public buildings across the country. The Evolution of the Football Stadium The popularity of organised sports in late Victorian times prompted the building of some of the first stadiums in the UK. A far cry from the modern facilities of today, early stadiums were designed to fit in as many spectators as possible and were all standing room only. In 1892, Everton’s Goodison Park was one of the first purpose built football stadiums in the world, whilst in 1910 Old Trafford in Manchester was the first UK stadium to feature continuous seating. In 1965 Manchester United was also the first UK club to introduce bespoke executive boxes. Over the years more football clubs started to introduce seated stands and in more recent times as clubs started to convert to all seater stadiums, so the standard and quality of stadium seating began to improve. Whilst plastic seats are still the norm for the majority of spectator stands, the seats in Directors’ boxes, VIP and executive areas have been vastly upgraded. Executive Stadium Seating in the 21st Century Executive seating is now fully upholstered and deeply cushioned, offering high levels of comfort to VIP spectators. Wide seats and high backs enhance the luxury whilst button controlled heated seats and backs help warm up cold match days. Club’s often have their crest or badge embroidered onto seat backs as this enhances the premium look of the seating and acts as an extension of the club’s branding. Seats can be further personalised with job titles, names, or sponsors’ branding or messages. Specifying Luxury Stadium Seating When specifying this type of seating it’s important to ensure it will be upholstered in a UV resistant vinyl which is fire retardant and treated with anti-fungicide – this will help ensure it remains looking clean and stylish throughout every season. Below are some of the basic features of modern, luxury stadium seating as a starting point for specifiers.
About Evertaut Evertaut is aleading UK manufacturer of premium stadium seating. The companyis an established supplier to major football clubs across the country where its luxury seats can be found in directors’ boxes and VIP areas. With today’s cinema goers used to the plush seating experience found in large multiplexes, smaller independent venues have been upgrading their facilities to enhance the cinema experience and encourage a new audience. Many independent cinemas can be found in old buildings, but where the audiences in these venues were once dwindling they are now seeing resurgence in popularity. Many independent cinemas now have the latest screen and sound technology to rival the multiplexes whilst offering a more intimate setting and a much cheaper ticket price than the large chains. As an increasing number of smaller cinemas look to refurbish and upgrade their facilities, seating is obviously a major element in this. Seating is such a key part of the cinema experience as its where your audience will spend the majority of their time. They obviously want to feel relaxed and comfortable whist watching a film and have optimal sightlines so they can enjoy a clear view of the screen. Whether you want to maintain a traditional look in keeping with the heritage of an old building, or create a modern auditorium, there is a wide range of cinema seats on the market which can be tailored to the requirements of your venue. For listed buildings, seating refurbishment may be the only option and there are specialist seating suppliers who can totally revive your seating to bring it back to its former glory whilst adhering to listed building regulations. When choosing new seats for a cinema here are a few key points to consider: Space Planning - any reputable seating supplier will also be able to assist with space planning, ensuring the layout and spacing of your seating plus the number and location of walkways complies with current regulations. You may not simply be able to replace your seating like for like and so it’s important to check this. You also need to allow for disability access and wheelchair users. Capacity – if you want to offer plusher seating you may not be able to fit as many seats on each row as you currently have. You need to consider how this impacts on your potential capacity in order to establish the correct balance between individual space and demand for tickets. Comfort – a seat with a higher back will offer a greater level of comfort allowing the audience members to lean back in their seat and rest their head. You need to assess how this impacts on viewing angles, particularly if your floor only has a low gradient. Many cinema seat manufacturers will also be able to design and install new tiered flooring which will take into account sightlines and viewing angles so you should consider if this is necessary. The plusher the seat, the higher the cost so you need to find the right seating that offers a high level of comfort at a price which fits in with your budget. Accessories – cup holders, row letters and seat numbers are usually offered as standard by seating suppliers. If you have any bespoke requirements then most UK manufacturers should be able to accommodate these. Finish – the cover material on your seating needs to be robust and easy to clean. There are a wide range of stain-resistant fabrics on the market and whilst this may be a slightly more expensive option it’s often a wise choice if you want to keep your seating looking pristine for longer. Most seating suppliers will offer a good selection of fabrics and vinyl in a variety of colours. Evertaut designs and manufactures a range of high quality cinema seats with an extensive range of options. We can also create bespoke seating solutions unique to your venue. As a leading UK manufacturer we have supplied our cinema seats to a wide range of cinema venues across the country. If you are looking for new cinema seating or refurbishment, contact us today to discuss your requirements. |
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