Description:

The Bodyfurn® Flex range is an ergonomic seating solution designed to transform the learning experience for students and educators. Conventional rigid chairs with limited comfort reduce focus and negatively affect wellbeing, especially for users with heightened sensory needs. This project set out to reimagine classroom furniture as a dynamic tool that supports health, engagement and inclusion.

Developed through a research-led, user-centred process, the design incorporates a fully flexible seat and backrest that pivot with the user to encourage natural movement and reduce fatigue. Contours were shaped using body pressure mapping and comfort trials to support a range of postures, including upright, reclined, forward-leaning and side-facing positions. This allows students to move freely and collaborate without needing to reposition the chair, improving time on task and participation.

Sustainability is embedded at every stage. Each chair is made from over 90% post-consumer recycled polypropylene and recyclable steel, produced using gas-injection moulding to reduce material volume without compromising strength. The design is adhesive-free, modular and built for disassembly and repair, supporting circular resource use. A take-back program ensures end-of-life products can be granulated and reprocessed, with each chair diverting up to 2 kilograms of plastic waste from landfill.

Tested to AS/NZS 4610.2:2020 at the highest level for strength and durability and certified with both AFRDI Blue Tick and AFRDI Green Tick, the product is built for a lifecycle exceeding 10 years in demanding environments. Features such as a built-in backrest handle, reverse cantilever legs and anti-slip stoppers make it easy to move, clean and store.

A biophilic design language guided the use of soft geometry, organic patterning and calming colours to create a more inviting and emotionally supportive classroom atmosphere. The visual language was deliberately developed to enhance student wellbeing and make the chair feel approachable and intuitive. The overall aesthetic breaks away from the industrial feel of conventional school furniture, instead promoting a sense of calm and connection with the environment.

The Bodyfurn® Flex platform has been intentionally developed for future scalability. While initially launched in Size 6 to support senior learners, the design is engineered to expand into additional sizes and learning contexts. Its success across schools in Australasia and Southeast Asia demonstrates both market relevance and commercial viability.

More than a piece of furniture, Bodyfurn® Flex represents a shift towards design that prioritises wellbeing, sustainability and long-term value. It shows how evidence-led innovation and thoughtful design can create products that support people, the environment and the evolving needs of education.