Elm co-develops innovative furniture with London South Bank University
Lynda Bradish, Head of Facilities at London South Bank University (LSBU), came to Elm Workspace with her initial problem, ‘The classrooms are set-up in a traditional teaching layout with the furniture set in rows facing to the front. The feedback from the Lecturers was that they found the existing furniture to be too cumbersome and inflexible to enable different layouts to be arranged to suit different styles of teaching and learning.
Working with Lynda’s classroom experience and knowledge within the field and Elm’s suppliers, Managing Director, Daren Spencer was able to begin the design and manufacturing process, ‘I spoke to Elm and asked them what furniture was available on the market that could deliver the flexible working options that the lecturers required? It needed to be aesthetically pleasing, operationally robust and at an affordable price. Working with Elm we developed the table to what it is today and last year we set up four pilot classrooms to trial the new tables which have been well received by the lecturers who have provided very positive feedback.’ Commented Lynda.
The Telford Segment product that was designed and built in partnership with Gresham, offered several key factors that ultimately improved the classroom experience, which Lynda felt suitable to pursue, ‘Having flexibility to rearrange room furniture layouts easily and quickly without fuss enhances the teaching and learning experience. It’s a process of continuous change, the needs of the business changes and evolves, what we need from our suppliers is someone that can support us with those evolving changes.’
As with all office furniture design and development the build process and client communication was a challenging process, but not one that phased the confidence of Daren, ‘When Lynda first approached Elm, we knew that we had to utilize not only our design skills and experience but also our manufacturing expertise. The product has proved a huge success and we are delighted that we have met those needs within the learning environment’.
Elm Workspace provides a number of products and services covering office furniture, refurbishment, design and space planning.
Overall, Elm Workspace have continued to provide a service that prioritizes the direct needs of the client and a service that leaves a lasting positive impression, ‘Elm have always been really helpful and do their best to understand what we are trying to achieve and work with us to enable us to get there. I’m very pleased with the end product.’ Concluded Lynda.