This blog is from one of COBIS' Supporting Associates.

Written by Mike Serridge, Director of S+B UK Limited

Building or carrying out a refurbishment of a STEM Learning Space is a complex undertaking that will require collaborative input from a number of different stakeholders each with different areas of expertise.

New Build Projects

A new building will need an architect, a surveyor, and a main contractor. These professional services are necessary for several reasons such as securing planning permission, designing & costing the project, erecting the building and ensuring that results are effective in providing a safe, secure and motivational learning space.

Science Laboratory featuring SpaceStation Furniture System

Refurbishment Projects

Where refurbishment projects involve structural alterations, an architect and main contractor are needed. This team of professionals provide project management and coordination of all the necessary elements. The cost of such services must be factored into the overall budget for the project.

Where an area is suitable for upgrade or change of use and does not require alterations to load-bearing structures, the main costs will be as follows: strip out of the existing facility, renewal of services (gas/water/electricity/drainage) and new ceilings/flooring/air conditioning/heating/lighting/decoration. Once the room is upgraded the furnishings will need to be installed which include worktops, storage cabinets, seating, media facilities, whiteboards, notice boards, safety showers and hand wash facilities. The cost will depend on the extent to which each element is needed. For example, you may require new flooring, but not a new ceiling.

Design Tech Room featuring Realisation and Stemline workstations

Initial interior design and fit-out budget costing

Some leading STEM furniture suppliers may be able to provide free of charge design and budget costing advice for all non-structural elements. Circumstances may be such that it would still be advantageous for the school to employ a local building contractor familiar with local regulations and who can provide all the general strip out and preparation works as well as a project management service. The specialist STEM furniture supplier working closely with the school can provide the interior layout design and installation of the furniture.

Food Tech featuring Propeller Furniture design 

Starting point for design

The starting point for developing the interior design should consider the size and shape of space, any existing utilities (gas, water, etc), number and age range of students, curriculum, pedagogy and school philosophy. These considerations will help quantify requisite worktops, sinks, taps, electrical socket outlets, specialist equipment and storage, etc.

Higher Design Objectives

There is growing importance in factoring in higher objectives in the design process such as to widen the appeal of STEM, to remove subject gender bias and to promote and facilitate different teaching styles.

“Hot Labbing” I.e. designing around the preference of an individual teacher, is to be avoided in order to future proof the space and to avoid prohibiting different teaching styles.

                                         Saturn Light Furniture System 


Options for room design and furniture system

There are many different room layouts and furniture system designs available on the market, each with different pros and cons depending on individual circumstances and each with different price points. Consideration must be given to very particular STEM needs e.g. fume cupboards for science, ovens for food tech and machine tools for technology.

A reputable specialist STEM furniture supplier should consult with the school, with due consideration to budget (and all of the above-mentioned factors) and should be able to present a range of suitable options.

Mobiline Fume Cupboard 

Choosing the furniture system

The choice should be made to meet the educational needs/aspirations of the school and to maximise student motivation. Quality should never be compromised, the lowest initial cost options rarely represent the best value for money, specifications should be developed to give best full life-cycle value.

Choice of furniture systems can be traditional forward-facing fixed bench rows, semi - mobile systems to provide some flexibility, overhead utility delivery systems with moveable tables and more contemporary pupil - centric serviced island arrangements.

A combination of un-serviced mobile tables and fixed serviced benches is preferred by some to combine a degree of flexibility with the necessary safety considerations for practical activities involving naked flames, boiling liquids, material cutting/fabrication and chemicals.

Xenium Service Towers and tables 

Current Trends in International Schools

Recent years have seen a significant movement towards more contemporary, less formal designs. This is due to the need to widen appeal amongst students for STEM and to facilitate pupil centred learning without prohibiting traditional teaching.

Useful links

COBIS Webinar: The Design of School Science Laboratories 

COBIS Blog: Science labs – loose or fitted furniture – or both?

COBIS Blog: Fume Cupboards for Science: Re - circulatory versus extracted to

COBIS Blog: What is a “Makerspace”?  

COBIS Blog: How to boost STEM appeal  

COBIS Blog: Food Technology Trends in Schools  

COBIS Blog:  Modern Classroom Environments - 5 Key Points to Consider

S+B YouTube Page 

Author Details

Mike Serridge is a Director of S+B UK Limited who specialise in the design, manufacture and installation of inspirational STEAM learning environments.

Mike is a full member of the British Standards Committee LBI/1/1 and is one of the UK's expert representatives to The European Standards Committee CEN332 Laboratory Furniture and Fittings.

S+B has been awarded The Queens Award for Enterprise in International trade for its innovative design and installation of STEAM facilities in International School`s Worldwide.