Specifications

Learning Spaces Guidelines

Large Lecture Theatres: 37

above: example lecture theatre layout to support small group work

Even in lecture theatres where seating is laid out in conventional

rows, consideration should be given to improving sight lines by

staggering the seat positions between rows.

Lecture theatre seating should be of high quality and be comfortable

for extended occupancy periods. Upholstery should be chosen for

durability and longevity.

In all lecture theatres, with the assumption that all lecture theatres

will be wheelchair-accessible, there should be provison for

wheelchair users to partake in the lecture whilst in their chair. The

number of these spaces should be proportionate to the total number

of seating positions.

Fire and emergency guidance relating to the design of ﬁxed lecture

theatre seating is given in the UCL Fire Safety Technical Notes &

Mandatory Instructions:

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/estates/maintenance/ﬁre/documents/

Each student seat should be provided with a horizontal surface

suitable for use when taking notes or using a small portable

electronic device.

If the working surface is to be provided via the use of a fold out

attachment to the seat then these should either be left/right

swappable by the user of a 10% ratio of seats are to be provided

with left-handed surfaces. The distribution of these 10% of surfaces

should be designed such that their location is clear to users, for

example the left-hand end of rows would be a suitable location.

Working surfaces should not have any raised lip around their edge,

should be made/covered in a material that provides a non-slip

surface but that is not overly textured.

Working surfaces should have minimum dimensions of 300mm by

300mm.

TASK

Student

working

surfaces

7.03