Chairs of UniHigh
By nhien Nguyen & justin nguyen
It is no surprise that a student’s access to proper school equipment and materials can largely dictate their success as a learner. Anything ranging from extra learning materials, afterschool tuition, to even a quiet study space, can make a positive impact on a student’s learning However, a student privilege that has been forgotten by most UHS members is the chairs.
UniHigh offers an assortment of different chair designs catered to different learning environments, from the food tech kitchens, and the woodwork areas to a typical classroom. They come in a variety of styles, sizes, and materials, and can be used for a variety of purposes, including dining, working, and relaxing. Chairs embody the human capacity for innovation, as they come in a variety of styles, reflecting the diversity of the human imagination. A chair that offers comfort and good support can promote relaxation and good posture which can be an asset to a person’s learning. Now you know what defines a good chair, let’s dive into the many chairs UniHigh has for us to sit on!
Default chairs
Ubiquitous across the school are what are loosely referred to as the ‘default chairs’ as they dominate most of the classrooms in the school. These chairs can be found in most of the 300s, 200s, 140 and most of the classrooms in the art building. With its classic steel framing and its prominent grey shell of plastic, the default chairs are designed to be sturdy and durable, able to withstand the wear and tear of everyday classroom use. Their simple and minimalist design is intended to blend in with any classroom decor and provide a comfortable seating option for students and teachers alike. The default chairs continue to be the go-to seating option for many classrooms in the school. Their affordability and durability make them a practical choice for school administrators, who are always looking for ways to stretch their budgets while still providing quality furnishings for their students.
Ergonomic chairs (purple chair + variants)
The purple chairs are notorious for their reputation of being the least-favoured chairs at UniHigh and it's for a good reason! With its mediocre colour palette and the fact that a lot of the chairs are broken which causes the user to undergo an unpleasant experience, making the purple chairs disliked at UniHigh.
Being one of the newer arrivals to school, the grey cousins of the purple chairs are found in the 600s, the portables, certain EBS rooms and the western parts of the front building (159 and 160s, 259 and 260s). These chairs frequently come in ash grey colour (however it is possible to find blue and red variants) and follow a minimalistic, abstract design. With one main body that includes the backrest and seat and two protruding legs. The chair’s body is hollow which can act as cushioning, however, many students and teachers find the chair uncomfortable due to its shape. Furthermore, the design of the legs makes users susceptible to falling over and the shape makes it inconvenient to stack them. In the end, although the newer models greatly exceed its purple counterparts, it still falls off to be the best chair in UniHigh.
Rare cushioned chair
Every once in a while, there will be a chair with upholstered seats, a cushioned backrest and metal framing. These chairs surpass any chair in comfort, though almost impossible to find around the school, being found in mainly the 800s in the art building and some miscellaneous rooms around the school. These chairs are considered rare, only appearing in only a handful of classrooms at a time, usually in quantities of one per classroom. The origins of these remarkably comfortable chairs remain a mystery, though it is suspected that they come from the VCE floor.
Canteen Chairs
Coming in an abundance of vibrant colours, these chairs are dispersed throughout the school’s cafeteria. Not only are the canteen chairs visually appealing with their bright colours, but the chairs are also lightweight, which makes them easy to move around and rearrange in the cafeteria as needed. This feature is especially beneficial for school staff who need to reconfigure the seating arrangement for events or special occasions. The chairs are made out of polypropylene plastic, following a modern yet abstract design with patterns of oval-shaped holes in their backrest, emphasising its organic design. The chairs themselves are fairly comfortable, although they can feel stiff, due to the hard plastic, after prolonged sitting. One thing that should be noted is that many of the chairs aren’t in the cleanest condition and are typically in need of a wash. However, that does not interfere with the many people who still use the chairs to sit in the canteen everyday!
VCE chairs
Up where the VCE students spend most of their time, the chairs they get to use are without a doubt superior to the chairs you usually see. Just like the default chairs, it follows the same sturdy steel as its frames, but the big key difference is the use of cushioning for the seating and backrest. This makes the VCE chairs one of the most deluxe chairs at UniHigh although it doesn’t have its charm like the others. Many might argue that the cushioning will be hard to clean if got dirty, and while yes that may be true, think to yourself. Would VCE students ruin their luxurious chairs?
Front Entrance Seating
One of the newer chairs in UniHigh, the Front Entrance seatings have lots to offer! With the simple cushioned armrest chair accompanied by the couches, these seatings are perfect for guests that are simply waiting as it gives the user a welcoming experience. The armrest itself looms over most chairs simply for its aesthetic appeal but to have these chairs used in classrooms would be a nightmare! Due to its cotton material, the chairs will easily get stained and would be nearly impossible to clean. Furthermore, the weight of the chairs makes it a struggle to maneuver around the classroom and its incapability to stack well as the others.
Benches
The benches or picnic tables can be found across the school’s exterior, from the oval, outside the library, to even in front of the school’s main entrance. These chairs adopt a picnic table design with two rows of seating and a table in between, making them suitable for dining during breaks. The benches have been in the school for a fairly long time and have dealt with slight wear and tear, including scratches, gum under the table and some minor graffiti. Being placed outside, students are able to eat comfortably while enjoying the weather, however, it can be an inconvenience on hot and rainy days.
Plastic Chairs
Typically locked away in the Sharman Hall storage room or could be found randomly across classrooms, these chairs are generally neglected and are only used when a large number of chairs are needed, especially during exams. With its cheap plastic making it light and its ability to stack on one another, these chairs are a bang for your buck! On the other hand, its looks aren’t pleasing compared to the others, with no real defining features for looks. Due to the cheap plastic, it is not difficult for the students to break these chairs, making it rank lower amongst the chairs UniHigh has.
Library Chairs
Introduced to the school in 2021, these chairs are new and comfortable. For many students, the library is a safe haven; a place to relax in breaks, before and after school, a place to study and even a place to get away from Melbourne’s chaotic weather. The chairs within the library are heavily cushioned, perfectly catering for students to lounge, relax and/or study! Although the chairs follow a common style, the designs are unique, ranging from booths, ottomans, stools, and chairs reminiscent of mainstream classroom chairs.
The booth is crafted for group studies and with its heavy cushioning, it is almost impossible to find a free spot! The stools are perfectly designed for simplicity and efficiency. Built with black framing steel and polished wood for its base. The ottomans follow a straightforward design, with no legs, it is really just a round block of cushion. The cushioned armrest chairs follow a similar design to the classroom chairs in terms of shape, however, the seating and backrest are largely cushioned and follow a muted colour scheme.
Piano Stool
Within the library resides an upright piano, accompanied by a stool. Wide and cushioned, this chair is quite comfortable, perfect for performing beautiful songs on the school’s piano during recess and lunch. Furthermore, the stool also contains a storage compartment under its seating as an added bonus!
