Bretford EDU 2.0 Education Furniture Featured in Sprout Space Modular Classroom Exhibit

Design Addresses Need for Sustainable, Flexible and Temporary-to-Permanent Spaces for 21^st Century Learning; On Display at National Building Museum in D.C. Starting March 3

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bretford Manufacturing, Inc.^®, a United States manufacturer of technology-enabled furniture for agile learning and business environments, today announced that a multitude of tables, chairs, desks and more from its EDU 2.0 line of mobile and powered furniture have been selected for the new Sprout Space™ modular classroom exhibit. Designed to enhance student learning, Sprout Space is the first high performance classroom currently available as a temporary or permanent educational space. Created by Perkins+Will, leading international architecture and design firm and K-12 building experts, the Sprout Space modular classroom is being displayed on the lawn of the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. from March 3, 2013-January 5, 2014 as part of the Green Schools exhibit.

“The goals of the Sprout Space classroom are concurrent with the goals of our EDU 2.0 line: to support an active learning environment with furniture that is agile, mobile, technology-enabled, social and sustainable.”

The Sprout Space classroom is designed from the inside out to produce a new generation of affordable, modular classrooms. It is positioned as a safe, healthy and cost-effective alternative not only to modular classroom units but to traditional school buildings as it has the ability to be implemented as a permanent structure. Every aspect of the Sprout Space classroom is designed with the goal of enhancing student learning and includes green building strategies that eliminate energy costs, create a healthier environment and reduce construction costs. Sprout Space’s dynamic design also encourages various teaching styles and seating arrangements, impromptu collaboration among peers, and outdoor learning through its exterior teaching walls.

EDU 2.0 furniture from Bretford was selected for the exhibit due to the manufacturer’s longstanding relationship with School Specialty Furniture and Equipment, a leading K-12 education company with the broadest array of products in the education market.

According to Phil Cloutier, vice president of sales and marketing for Bretford Manufacturing, Inc., “We understand the need for modular, flexible spaces that allow movement, freedom and creative thinking and this is exactly why we created our EDU 2.0 line of furniture. It is a privilege to be selected as the furniture partner of choice for this high profile exhibit.” Cloutier continued, “The goals of the Sprout Space classroom are concurrent with the goals of our EDU 2.0 line: to support an active learning environment with furniture that is agile, mobile, technology-enabled, social and sustainable.”

“We have been fortunate to have partnered with Perkins+Will on Sprout Space for more than a year, and we look forward to continuing our relationship for a long time,” said Jason Deweerd, director of furniture & equipment sales for School Specialty Furniture and Equipment. “To outfit the Sprout Space modular classroom, we used solutions from our key suppliers, like Bretford’s EDU 2.0 line, which allowed us to create the ideal flexible, healthier learning environment of the future.”

About the EDU 2.0 Line

EDU 2.0 system of mobile and powered furniture is designed to support technology for 21^st century learning The EDU 2.0 line of furniture is comprised of tables, desks, presenters, and seating products with countless power and design options. It is among the first in the contract furniture industry to achieve CarbonNeutral^® product certification for a greener school supply chain and healthier learning environment.

EDU 2.0 products included in the exhibit are:

• EXPLORE™ Four Leg Collaborative Laptop Table with a Fluid Up Power System
• EXPLORE Four Leg Activity Table Quarter Round
• EXPLORE Pedestal Base Café Table Circle
• EXPLORE Presentation Shuttle with Side Table
• EXPLORE Instructor Tech Desk and Fluid Up Power System
• MOTIV™ Modular Soft Seating Chair with power

The Sprout Space also includes Bretford’s MDM Series Mobile Device Management 30-unit laptop computer cart as well as various shelving units.

For more information about Bretford visit Bretford.com or call 1-800-521-9614. Bretford can also be followed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/bretfordmanf.