In the realm of interior design and architecture, particularly within Australia’s healthcare and education sectors, the selection of commercial seating plays a pivotal role in shaping functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing environments. As professionals in these fields, understanding the nuanced requirements of these spaces is crucial for creating designs that not only meet regulatory standards but also enhance user experience and support the core functions of these institutions. At Advanta we keep the below principles top of mind when designing our collections, so our partners can feel confident when specifying our products.
Versatility: The Cornerstone of Modern Design
The dynamic nature of healthcare and educational environments demands seating solutions that are as adaptable as the spaces themselves. In designing chairs for these sectors, at Advanta we consider the following requirements when designing our collections:
- Multifunctionality: We design seating that serves multiple purposes. In healthcare, this might mean chairs that transition seamlessly from waiting areas to consultation rooms. In education, our designs support both individual study and collaborative work.
- Adaptability: We incorporate chairs with adjustable features or modular designs that can be easily reconfigured to accommodate changing needs or room layouts.
- Material Selection: We choose materials that balance durability, ease of maintenance, and comfort. Anti-microbial fabrics and easily sanitised surfaces are particularly crucial in healthcare settings. We test our chairs to ensure they can be upholstered in specific fabric ranges specified for the application, and if we haven’t, we are always keen to test them.
Integrating Health and Safety into Design
When selecting seating for healthcare and educational spaces, safety and ergonomics are at the forefront of our design considerations:
- Ergonomic Excellence: We prioritise designs that promote proper posture and reduce physical strain, especially in educational settings where students spend extended periods seated.
- Mobility Support: In healthcare environments, we include seating options that cater to individuals with varying mobility needs, ensuring accessibility and comfort for all users. We introduced a Bariatric chair range designed as part of an existing collection, with specific bariatric modifications to ensure patients felt inclusive within the healthcare setting.
- Compliance: We constantly familiarise ourselves with Australian standards for commercial furniture in these sectors, ensuring our designs meet or exceed these requirements.
The Aesthetic Imperative
While functionality is paramount, the visual appeal of seating can significantly impact the overall ambiance of a space:
- Colour Psychology: Over time we have considered colour selections to create shells and bases to blend with environments that calm patients in healthcare settings or stimulate learning in educational spaces. Bright colours for education to spark innovation and creativity and more subtle tones for relaxation and to lower stress levels for healthcare.
- Form and Function: We also seek out designs that offer many variations to ensure our partners can marry aesthetic appeal with practical features, creating spaces that are both beautiful and functional.
- Brand Integration: We are asked more and more about brand colour integration, so having the flexibility to offer custom upholstery, powder coating and different bases ensures our range considers how seating choices can reflect and reinforce a companies’ brand identity or the overall design concept of the space.
Innovative Materials and Sustainability
As leaders in design, it’s crucial to stay ahead of trends in materials and sustainability as we grow our offering we tend to ensure we capture two things:
- Eco-friendly Options: We explore seating designs that can be made from recycled or sustainable materials, aligning with the growing emphasis on environmental responsibility in design.
- Smart Materials: We are improving our designs and are now considering integrating seating with built-in technology or materials that enhance functionality, such as chairs with charging capabilities as we grow our offering.
A Holistic Approach to Seating Design
In crafting spaces for healthcare and education in Australia, the selection of commercial seating transcends mere functionality. It becomes an integral part of the user experience, supporting the core mission of these institutions. By approaching commercial seating design with a holistic perspective—balancing versatility, safety, aesthetics, and innovation— we can enable interior designers and architects to create environments that not only meet the rigorous demands of these sectors but also inspire, comfort, and enhance the daily experiences of all who inhabit these spaces.
As you embark on your next healthcare or education project, remember that the right seating choices can elevate your design from functional to transformative, creating lasting positive impacts on patients, students, staff, and visitors alike.
