1

MULTIPURPOSE CLOVER CHAIR AN INNOVATIVE PROPOSAL FOR

TRADITIONAL CHAIRS

Shaun Irvine Punag, Justine Pauline Padillo, Raine Tampico, Kurby Sanchez and Fiona

Cervantes

San Jose Del Monte National High School

Practical Research 2

Sir Joseph Bernard Dalusong

November 11, 2022

 2

Multipurpose clover chair an innovative proposal for traditional chairs

The best way to guarantee national progress and economic growth is through

education. Classrooms provide a secure, stress-free environment for learning. Inadequate

facilities can lead to tension and agitated behaviors in students, whereas the physical

environment of educational facilities can support teaching, learning, and academic

performance. The physical settings of classrooms play a significant effect in students'

satisfaction, and a higher degree of satisfaction can raise students' levels of knowledge,

abilities, and attitudes. Many students around the world attend university, and chairs have

developed into a crucial physical component of the learning environment (S. ANSARI,

2018). This literature review will look at deciding factors that will be considered in the

proposal chair design, indicators and its contribution into the study.

FLAWS AND INCONVENIENCES

Many colleges, institutes, and universities employ educational furniture in their

classrooms, and students spend the majority of their time sitting on it. They are therefore

exposed to the dangers of protracted sitting in an uncomfortable position. Usually, the wrong

chairs are used to produce these risk concerns. One of the causes of improper sitting postures,

which can result in poor posture, exhaustion, intense psychological stress, and effects on

students' performance, is improper chair design. Some research has also looked into the

connection between unnatural body posture and cognitive problems like consciousness,

discomfort, and reaction speed (EJ HARVEY, 2013). Using the wrong seats can lead to a

number of issues, including lower back pain, neck, shoulder, arm, and paralysis of the

muscles.

OBSERVED EFFECTS AND ATTRIBUTED HEALTH PROBLEMS

 3

Studies have demonstrated that improper chair design and its long-term effects on

poor postures, musculoskeletal problems, and physical growth also negatively affect student

motivation in learning, even during the most dynamic and engaging courses, and indirectly

affect educational concentration and efficiency. Recent research has also shown that one of

the things that makes people less focused and more fidgety is an imbalance between the

anthropometric dimensions of users and the furniture that is accessible (S. KIM, 2014).

Additionally, a static posture severely tightens muscles and reduces the flexibility and

suppleness of intervertebral discs because of reduced disk feeding and blood flow constraints

(S. ANSARI, 2018).

DESIGN

To maximize productivity, equipment should be constructed using anthropometric

and ergonomic principles to decrease symptoms and accidents. In order to develop goals,

anthropometry is the measurement of body dimensions such as size, shape, strength, capacity,

and volume. Users' body measurements play a significant influence in the design of

workstations that accommodate the standard posture. By measuring the users' bodies, the

desk and chair's actual size has been established. Studies show that anthropometric measures

are important factors to take into account when designing student chairs and desks. Due to the

lack of anthropometric data employed in its design, this furniture provides only moderate

comfort for pupils. Anthropometric measurements are used in design to enhance student

comfort, lessen musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs), and ultimately enhance performance.

Additionally, MSDs are described as injuries to the muscles, bones, joints, tendons,

ligaments, nerves, and blood vessels that impede a student's ability to do daily activities. One

of the effects of awkward posture that might affect productivity, performance, well-being,

and the caliber of work is job-related MSDs (M. S. PARVEZ, 2018).

 4

Design

The average physical dimensions of students have increased due to changes in living

standards and dietary habits. Moreover, students‘ anthropometric measurements also vary

widely across different age groups, within the same age groups, and between genders and

different cultures. Thus, it is unlikely that current school furniture with fixed dimensions

would be compatible with the majority of students. In order to ensure proper posture and

comfortableness while students are learning, the development and distribution of adjustable

tables and chairs are essential. The market demand for such adjustable furniture is expected

to grow rapidly (JUNG, 2014).

The chair will be multifunctional with a wide variety of features and functionalities

such as an dedicated storage room underneath the sitting frame, adjustable backrest and

armrest, can be conjoined with other chairs to form a collaborative piece utilizable for mass

gatherings, group activities, recess, etc.

MATERIALS

Engineered Bamboo or E Bamboo (DTI, 2010), also called Laminated Bamboo is

produced by processing the round bamboo poles into slats or thin strips and

glued/pressed/formed together to the desired thickness and sizes (ILARRDEC, 2006). E

Bamboo is used as an alternative to timber products such as flooring (parquet and tiles);

architectural and interior materials (like moldings, jambs, stair treads, paneling and

laminates); furniture materials (table tops and even lumber); and many more of the country’s

bamboo products. Because of bamboo’s inherent properties and technical construction

capabilities ‐ stability, hardness, flexibility and high‐density strength, astounding

reproduction rate and its high contribution to global warming and climate change mitigation

(Manila Bulletin, 2010), the use of e‐bamboo is in the upward trend (PCARRD) and becomes
 5

the Philippines’ priority sustainable industry. In this regard, the Executive Order (EO) No.

879 was promulgated on May 14, 2009 to prioritize the product development, promotion and

market access of the country’s bamboo products (Manila Bulletin, 2010). Under the

executive order, the Department of Education (DepEd) is directed to use engineered bamboo

to at least twenty‐five percent (25%) of its annual classroom desks and chairs and furniture

requirements of all public elementary and secondary schools nationwide. Its main objectives

are: “to contribute to climate change mitigation and sustainable development; to promote The

Bamboo Industry Development and encourage value‐added production of existing

institutional markets; and, to assist Local Government Units (LGUs) in the promotion of

environment protection and development of livelihood in the countryside (DTI, 2010).

Materials

The use of recycled and waste thermoplastics has been recently considered for

producing wood plastic composites (WPCs). They have great potential for WPCs

manufacturing according to results of some limited research.(SAEED KAZEMI NAJAFI,

2013).

Materials

The furniture industry uses wood as its primary raw material and largely consumes

natural resources from forests, generating tonnes of waste. In the urban and domestic context,

approximately nine million tonnes of furniture are discarded into landfills each year. While a

regular single-function device (like many furniture items) is discarded, as time goes by, a

multifunctional device sustains its use for a longer time due to the additional functions it

possesses, catering to a broader scope of needs [HO YIN CHEN, 2021].

CONCLUSION
 6

Designing comfortable furniture leads to health, safety, productivity, well-being, and

motivation to study. Thus, proper designing of chairs based on ergonomics and

anthropometric characteristics increases efficiency and promotes quality of education, leads

to correct posture in students, and reduces musculoskeletal disorders.

References

Ansari, Samira. 2018. “Design and Development of an Ergonomic Chair for Students

in Educational Settings.” https://brieflands.com/articles/healthscope-

60531.html

Harvey, Eugine J. 2013. ”Classroom Seating Considerations for 21st Century

Students and Faculty” https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1152707.pdf

Parvez, MS. 2018. “Design of Ergonomically Fit Classroom Furniture for Primary

Schools of Bangladesh” https://www.hindawi.com/journals/je/2018/3543610/

 7

Curbano, Ryan Jeffrey. 2015. “Development of an Ergonomically designed Drafting

Table and Chair for engineering students of LPU-LAGUNA based on

Anthropometric Measurement“

https://lpulaguna.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Development-Of-An-

Ergonomically-Designed-Drafting-Table-And-Chair-For-Engineering-

Students-Of-Lpu-Laguna.pdf

Razal, Ramon A., Dolom, Priscila C., Palacpac, Aresna B., Villanueva, Ma

Magdalena V., Malab, Stanley C. 2012 “Mainstreaming Engineered-Bamboo

Products for Construction and Furniture”

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/291148446_Mainstreaming_Enginee

red-Bamboo_Products_for_Construction_and_Furniture

Cheng, Ho Yip. 2021. “The Conceptualisation and Development of a Space-Saving

Multipurpose Table for Enhanced Ergonomic Performance”

https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5134/6/4/67/htm

Najafi, Saeed Kazemi. 2013. “Use of recycled plastics in wood plastic composites”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0956053X1300247X
8