The new FBT™ Series of Fold & Roll Booths from BioFit Engineered Products was recognized with a top industry innovation award last week in Charlotte, North Carolina, during EDspaces 2023 ‒ one of North America’s leading annual educational conferences and exhibitions.

In a juried competition sponsored by EDspaces and media partner Learning By Design magazine, the BioFit FBT Series earned second place of only three awards given among 24 eligible entries.

Developed by BioFit in collaboration with award-winning designer Bruce Fifield, of Studio Fifield, Milan, Italy, the FBT Series was created to deliver a fresh approach to meeting ever-changing needs in pedagogy and faculty-student interaction. Each of the seven series models offer the unique combination of functionality, versatility, style, and durability for which BioFit is known.

In response to receiving the award, BioFit president Jim Connell stated: “We’re extremely proud to have been chosen from a field of two dozen manufacturers, including entries from today’s best and most talented educational furniture designers. Bruce (Fifield) and our internal team set out to create an entirely new product that would transform the learning environment and experience, and this award absolutely validates our efforts.

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the 77 leaders and representatives of the 31 school districts in 14 different states who participated in our FBT focus groups. Locally, BioFit worked with Bowling Green, Eastwood, Elmwood, Otsego, Perrysburg, Springfield, and Sylvania throughout the process, and their input was instrumental in the development of this revolutionary product.”

As a token of the company’s appreciation, BioFit donated an FBT booth to each of the participating schools.

Connell emphasized that product flexibility was a key consideration during development, with easy deployment, folding and mobility enabling a single FBT unit to replace multiple pieces of furniture throughout the school day in different environments.

“It can be used in a common area before school starts, then in a STEM/STEAM setting during the morning, in the cafeteria during lunch, in a collaborative space during the afternoon, and back in the common area for after-school activities,” he said.

EDspaces and media partner Learning By Design magazine host The Product Innovation Awards program, which recognizes best-in-class product design for learning environments. A panel of education industry professionals review and evaluate all awards submittals based on criteria including sales readiness, innovation; demonstrated rigor in design for education environments; development based on research and customer collaboration; augmentation of learning and/or space utilization; improvement of social, emotional, and cognitive well-being of students, staff, and community; sustainability, and aesthetics.

BioFit Engineered Products is a leading manufacturer of LEED-compliant, ergonomic chairs and stools, GREENGUARD-certified mobile tables, folding booths, carts and accessories for education, laboratory, healthcare, industrial, technology, and office environments. All products are manufactured at the company’s headquarters and operations in Bowling Green.