The schools in Mdantsane, South Africa are poorly equipped and lack basic facilities such as chairs and desks which are required to run the schools. With over 7000 students and only 3 schools, the volume of desks to the space available is another key factor to consider. For this reason the design is a combination of both a desk and chair. Each desk is formed from recycled rubber.
Rubber is very durable which will withstand the day to day usage of the desks in the classroom environment. This makes it an ideal material for the design. Due to the material durability it will help to withstand damage from potential thief’s and the weight of the material will also help to prevent thief’s from removing the desk. The rubber surface can be easily maintained, preserving the desks for future generations.
The desks are a combination of 3 separate rubber layers which are glued together. The base layer is a hard compound, which protects the underside of the desk/chair and also offers a durable surface for the user to work on. The core layer is again a hard rubber compound, which enhances the rigidity of the desk and supports the weight of the user. The final layer is a soft rubber compound, which acts as a cushion.
The designs each have individual color along the contour of the design. The idea is to brighten the currently dull classrooms and make the surrounding environment more appealing to the users creating a much more positive atmosphere within the classroom.
Designer: Thomas Brown
译文:
橡胶课桌
南非曼德散（Mdantsane）的学校相当简陋，缺少学校正常运行必须的桌椅板凳等基本设施。7000名学生只有3所学校，因此，校舍容不下那么多课桌，这个因素也必须考虑。所以，把凳子和课桌作为一体设计。每张桌子由废旧橡胶做成。
作为学校常年累月上课使用的橡胶课桌，很耐用。橡胶是实现设计的理想材料。因为材料很坚固，不容易被窃贼破坏，材料比较重，不容易被偷走。橡胶面也很容易保养，下代学生可接着使用。
这种桌子有三层橡胶组成，层和层之间粘接。最下层为硬质化合物，保护桌子的下部，并且作为一个耐用的工作面。中间层也是一个硬质的橡胶化合物，用于加强桌子的强度，支撑学生的重量。上层为软橡胶化合物，有垫子的作用。
每个设计有各自的颜色，与外形协调一致。目的是亮化单调的教室，美化教室环境