Award recognizes the inventive design of simulated live edge wide plank furniture for Early Learners and heralds the company’s fourth consecutive win.
Acclaimed Early Learning furniture brand Whitney Brothers® today announced its new Live Edge collection of tables and seating received a Gold 2023 Spaces4Learning New Product Award, one of the most widely recognized awards for product innovation in the educational products market.
The 2023 award also marks the fourth consecutive win by Whitney Brothers®, a distinction that only a select few brands of educational furniture have achieved.
“We congratulate all of our 2023 Spaces4Learning New Product Award winners and thank them for the work they’re doing for education,” said David Nagel, editorial director of Spaces4Learning. “Our winners are helping to make the nation’s schools safer, cleaner, more sustainable, and more conducive to fulfilling the mission of education in every way.”
The Live Edge design transforms a common table, chair or bench into an important contributor to the look, feel and appeal of an Early Learning environment and fundamentally changes how children engage their learning environment. Furniture with a live edge reveals the intrinsic history of a tree and can help teach children about its growth lines, seasonal patterns and stress points. Knots, twists, and other natural imperfections in the wood add rich visual interest that tells a story about the tree and celebrates its unique character. Live Edge tables and seating also coordinate with all other furniture pieces in the company’s broader Nature View Collection, the world’s first biophilia-inspired furniture collection for Early Learning environments.
“We’re honored to receive this important award, which reinforces the positive influence of biophilic design on our youngest learners,” said Mike Jablonski, Whitney Brothers® president. “Our Live Edge design transforms ordinary classroom furniture pieces into important contributors to the appeal of a young child’s learning environment. It’s another great example of the fresh design thinking that best distinguishes the Whitney Brothers® brand.”
Scientific studies support that biophilic design helps to reduce stress, enhance creativity, focus clarity of thought and improve well-being, benefits that can foster a child’s deep connection to their learning environment and set a positive trajectory for future learning outcomes. The Nature View Collection by Whitney Brothers® now encompasses 75 separate furniture pieces that can furnish a complete Early Learning classroom environment.
Now in its eighth year, the Spaces4Learning New Product Award honors the outstanding product development achievements of manufacturers and suppliers whose products or services are considered to be particularly noteworthy in their ability to enhance the learning environment. The contest judges are members of the publication’s Editorial Advisory Board and a panel of professionals from leading industry vendors, industry associations, and architecture firms.
About Spaces4Learning
Spaces4Learning is a leading publication for education institutions, the architectural community, service providers and others interested in creating high-quality educational facilities. The brand’s magazine, website and digital products bring together a broad array of vital resources and services that keep facilities professionals abreast of current issues, trends and research; provide professional development opportunities; and connect those sharing a common interest.
About Whitney Brothers®
Founded in 1904, Whitney Brothers® invented furniture for Early Learning and institutional childcare environments and pioneered its commercial distribution through educational distributors and dealers in schools, childcare centers, Head Start facilities, churches, libraries, museums, and residential homes throughout North America and the world. The brand’s rich 119-year heritage spans old world craftsmanship blended with state-of-the-art CNC manufacturing technology to create award-winning products of uncompromising quality, design, innovation, safety, durability and value. Each product is UL GREENGUARD® Gold certified, qualifies for LEED credits, meets or exceeds applicable CPSIA, ASTM and BIFMA requirements, supported by a Limited Lifetime Warranty and proudly made in America.