The Directive…
Create a new series of student chairs and desks that provide the following:
1.) Meet the requirements of the 3 major Global Markets.
2.) Maintain and improve versatility and flexibility for classroom use.
3.) An appearance that is subtle and aesthetically pleasing.
4.) Comfortable usability.
5.) Unparalleled performance and durability.
6.) Sustainability and an environmentally-conscious footprint.
7.) An attractive, budget-friendly price point.
With these ambitious goals that Smith System presented to the European design firm, Radar Design, it’s no wonder that designers Roger Carr and David Williams have described this project as a “new benchmark.” Let’s take a look at how Carr and Williams went about meeting these objectives:
1.) Meet the requirements of the 3 major Global Markets.
Although similar, the specific sizing, safety, and durability requirements for classroom furniture vary across the globe. Originally called the “World” chair, Smith System’s goal was to create one simple line that would meet the requirements for all major global markets – the Americas, Asia-Pacific (APAC), and Europe-Middle East-Africa (EMEA). The Numbers™ chair – and now the desk too – does just that.
2.) Maintain and improve versatility and flexibility for classroom use.
Since the pandemic, many changes have taken place in classrooms around the world. According to Carr and Williams, the pandemic has “sped up the transition to more multi-functional spaces and more flexible teaching methods to accommodate hybrid learning… areas will need to adapt for flexible student numbers and a wider range of activities.”
In response to these trends, Numbers™, though a relatively simple line, was created with maximum flexibility in mind.
The chair comes in sizes appropriate for early childhood through adult learning (10”-18” seat height), with casters or a choice of glides, plenty of colors, and its shape is designed for a comfortable sit and also the ability to move, fidget, and sit in alternative postures (360° sitting). The chairs are lightweight and easily stackable, with a built-in carry handle. The frame is actually recessed within the seat pan. This not only improves aesthetics but, combined with the cover plate, also helps prevent pencils, pens, hair, and little fingers from getting stuck. (Remind me sometime to tell you about when one of my classmates got his finger stuck in the bottom of his desk in 1st grade!)
And let’s talk about the desk… FINALLY, a light-scale, stacking desk that is substantial enough for daily use. No more flimsy wire legs – Numbers™ has 4 sturdy feet on the floor (or 3, depending on the desk shape), and the stacking bumpers on the Numbers™ desk double as convenient hooks for backpacks, purses, lunchboxes, headphones, or whatever else the kids are carrying these days!
The desk comes in a wide variety of shapes to meet classroom needs, and, similar to the chair, with height adjustment ranging from 19”-30” thanks to two interchangeable leg inserts. The leg inserts are reversible. One side has the glide, and, if turned around, the other side can receive a caster. The most amazing part? The glides and casters are designed to be the same height, so you can swap out 1, 2, 3, or all 4 glides for casters and still have a level surface. This allows for customizable mobility and easy wheelbarrowing. So simple, yet so innovative!
Oh, and the book box! … The book box does NOT affect the stacking of the desks. That’s right – a stacking desk WITH a book box! Mind blown.
3.) An appearance that is subtle and aesthetically pleasing.
Carr and Williams also took aesthetics into account during the design process. They designed the Numbers™ chair and desk to complement each other, with a modern, balanced aesthetic – not too clunky and not too slight. Graceful curves convey an organic feel and calculated quality. Thoughtful consideration was given to simplicity and discreet height adjustability so as not to distract from the light and airy feel of the furniture.
4.) Comfortable usability.
Like many student chairs, care was taken to design a seat and back that provide ergonomic support to the user, no matter how they sit. A flatter seat, softened edges, waterfall front, and a thoughtful shape to encourage comfortable 360° seating are evidence of this process. Additionally, the subtle pattern on the seating surface adds some interest and also helps to reduce both slippage (when there’s cloth involved) and “stickage” (when there’s not). – The back of my legs during summer school salute you, gentlemen!
So then, what’s NEW about Numbers™? – Blow molding! Yes, the same technology used to make your plastic water bottle – but how does that help with a chair?
Traditionally, student chairs have been made from solid pieces of hard plastic or polypropylene, injection-molded into the desired shape and then screwed to a steel frame. By using blow-molded polypropylene, this allows Smith System to accomplish the following:
Different features on the front and back.
- Blow molding allowed Carr and Williams to independently design the features of the front of the chair (where the student’s body touches) from the back of the chair. The front is designed to provide ergonomic comfort and support for the user, while the back is about structure, durability, and easy usability. A gripping ridge along the top back makes quick classroom movements easier, and an intentionally designed carry handle lower in the back makes stacking and carrying easier and more comfortable than traditional chair construction. The underside of the seat pan is designed to nestle the frame into the chair, providing a sleek look and added protection from damage during stacking and handling.
Increased comfort
- The softer polypropylene material allows for more flex than a hard plastic chair. In addition, the blow-molded shell can have a softer feel than a traditionally built polypropylene shell chair because the air gap between the front and back layers offers a cushioning effect for the user.
More bulk, less material
- In general, hard plastic chair seats and backs are uniformly thick to prevent the hard material from cracking. This makes them inflexible, heavy, and… hard…. Polypropylene chairs are softer, lighter, and more flexible. They are usually made from a solid, injection-molded shell of material about ¼” thick. This can create some weak spots that need to be reinforced by ridges along the exterior of the chair and/or support wings, similar to the flying buttresses of Gothic cathedrals. These two features can affect both the aesthetics and cleanability of the chair, and the edges can also cut into your hands when you need to grab, pick up, and move the chair. The blow-molded Numbers™ chair can take advantage of the benefit of a thicker shell to integrate the frame, while maintaining the softer flex and lighter weight of the polypropylene material and avoiding the edges and nooks and crannies by using the double-walled structure to support itself where extra reinforcement is needed.
5.) Unparalleled performance and durability.
Since Smith System joined up with Steelcase several years ago, the partners have been working continuously to step up their game. With Steelcase’s enhanced product testing capabilities, Numbers™ is built tough! Robust steel framing ensures long-lasting strength while Carr and Williams painstakingly designed both the chair and desk to meet student needs for comfort and educators’ needs for flexibility.
By working together with Steelcase, Smith System has been able to increase its warranty period to a full Limited-Lifetime Warranty – Nearly unmatched in the education furniture world!
6.) Sustainability and an environmentally-conscious footprint.
With an eye on the future, Smith System and Radar Design created Numbers™ to reduce its environmental footprint both during and after its usable life. The product includes all mechanical fastenings to make part replacement and maintenance a breeze.
At the end of the product’s life, this furniture can be dealt with in an environmentally-conscious manner. Both the polypropylene chair shell and the steel desk and chair framing are 100% recyclable!
7.) An attractive, budget-friendly price point.
Despite all of the thought, design, and innovation that has gone into the Numbers™ line, it actually comes in at a price point lower than many of Smith System’s previous lines. Quality on a budget!
At first glance, Numbers™ doesn’t look particularly new or innovative. It’s just a desk and chair, after all. When you take a closer look, however, a clearer picture comes into focus. Close attention to changing classroom needs; thoughtful consideration of design, function, and economy; and unique and creative applications of existing technology have come together to create a beautiful symphony in Smith System’s new classroom furniture line.
Numbers™. Deceptively simple.
