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Smart furniture, sustainable future: education that works for tomorrow
Read in this blog how Gispen supports schools with circular furniture, refurbishing and sustainable learning environments. Discover the Whole School Approach.
At Gispen, we don't think in terms of new. We think about the future. And we do this together with our customers. With organizations, educational institutions and hospitals, who care about future generations just like us. We have been doing this for more than 100 years. We invite you to walk the circular path with us. We learn. We inspire. We go for sustainable design.
Lisanne Huizing, Sustainability Manager Gispen
Whole School Approach
'We are increasingly seeing that sustainability is also becoming embedded in primary education. From curriculum to school furniture. The National Circular Economy Programme 2023-2030 therefore describes how sectors such as education should be involved in circular procurement to drive more sustainable innovation.'
The instrument used for this is the Whole School Approach (WSA). The WSA is an integrated approach that supports schools in shaping their sustainability tasks in a broad sense. A connection is made between the educational vision, the way of business operations, the curriculum, the craftsmanship and the environment of the school. Where people often think that sustainability can only be treated top down, the Whole School Approach is a good example of how sustainability can indeed be driven bottom up. Only 15% of schools have embedded learning for sustainable development school-wide (as shown by the Primary and Secondary Education - Learning for Tomorrow Survey).
Circular educational environment
In addition to making the curriculum more sustainable, schools can also drastically reduce their footprint by making the environment of the school and the buildings more sustainable. This goes beyond taking energy-saving measures. At Gispen, it starts with the furniture. You can come to us for smart reuse of existing or outdated furniture and for new, fully circularly designed furniture. Does your current furniture no longer meet your expectations? Then we can refurbish it, or revitalize it. Think of reupholstering chairs, replacing damaged table tops or giving furniture another improvement. We have brought all facilities, professionals and storage space together in our Circular Hub. This allows us to provide you with an even faster and more targeted service in the circular field.
The Gispen WIZZ
We develop new products according to the latest insights in the field of sustainability and the principles of the Circular Economy. It all starts on the drawing board, with a good and well thought-out design. From teducational chairs for students to ergonomic office chairs for teachers. Take the Gispen WIZZ as an example. Produced in the Netherlands from recycled fruit crates. This ergonomic line of educational chairs is made to move with pupils and students: whether they are upright, slouching or even reversed. Thanks to the different seat shell and frame sizes, the chair grows with students from the beginning to the end of school.
Enjoyable learning requires a flexible learning environment that inspires and allows everyone to reach their full potential. An environment that adapts smoothly to the activities. And supports those students in their growth: from the first year to the leap to higher education or the job market. As the Coöperatie Leren voor Morgen beautifully put it: 'Because sustainable education gives young people confidence in the future, provides teachers with meaningful work, and contributes to solutions for societal challenges.
Circulair Purchasing
A Circular Procurement Tool has now been developed for school procurement professionals, featuring a wide range of sustainability criteria for suppliers and products. As an educational institution, do you want to systematically focus on sustainability and cost control? Gispen is happy to help you set up an effective Furniture Management System. This system gives you control over the inventory, maintenance, and replacement of furniture - and allows you to actively contribute to a circular future. We can also provide you with a clear overview of how much COâ‚‚ and costs can be saved.
By making an inventory of educational furniture at an early stage, insight is gained into the condition, occupancy and expected lifespan of the current furniture. By linking this information to smart maintenance and the use of sustainable and circularly designed furniture, educational institutions can make targeted investments in extending the lifespan, reuse and maintaining quality. This not only contributes to sustainability, but also prevents unnecessary replacement costs.
Annemieke Los, Segment Manager Education
a collaborative process
'For us, sustainability is not an end point, but a collaborative process. We invite schools to talk to us about the design of their learning environments. By looking together at the existing furniture – which can be reused or refurbished – and making conscious choices for sustainable resources, we can make a big impact with small steps.'
Interested? Please contact Annemieke Los, Segment Manager Education Gispen for an exploratory consultation via Annemieke.los@gispen.nl
Shape the future together with Gispen.
Annemieke Los, Segment Manager Education Gispen
WE ARE HAPPY TO SHARE OUR EXPERTISE
'It is always very fascinating to translate the goals that an educational institution has into an inspiring and effective design. We want to create optimal learning environments that do justice to the types of employees and the students or pupils who use them. Environments that also support the desired activities. We list the most important activities that take place within your educational institution together. We are also happy to share our knowledge about current developments within your sector. In close consultation with you, we will create your ideal learning environment together. Feel free to contact us for a no-obligation advice!'
Want to read more?
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![Gispen IC bench in blue with beech tabletop and Triennical Classic with yellow Asido pouf and 2 models and backpanels front left view]( "IC, Triennial Classic, Asido, Dombo, S50")
The learning environment
Everyone gets the best out of themselves in a stimulating and inspiring learning environment.
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![Gispen education project interior view of Fontys in Eindhoven DZK1973]( "Fontys")
Our sustainable strategy
As a pioneer with a circular business model, we have been putting the circular economy into practice for a long time with our furniture and services. This reduces the environmental impact of our own business activities and those of your working environment. You can read how we complete the circle in our sustainable strategy.
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![Gispen WIZZ 4 leg frame in yellow chairs with a blue cantilever chair and models reading in a blue pink primary education setting front view]( "WIZZ, Frameworks Desk")
Gispen WIZZ Primary education
