EPISODE 206: FF&E Procurement Revisionism Series: Furniture Procurement Doesn’t have to be Hard or Scary
November 13, 2024
Overview:
In our FF&E Procurement Revisionism Series, we’ll explore how integrating flexible, student-centered furniture into your classroom designs can enhance engagement and foster better learning outcomes. Plus, learn how to overcome the hurdles of traditional procurement processes to streamline the journey from concept to installation.
Episode 3 of 3: The EXECUTION
In Episode 3 of the FF&E Procurement Revisionism Series, guest speaker Brad Kiehl demystifies the furniture procurement process, highlighting strategies to make it more efficient and stress-free for schools.
This episode covers the value of involving furniture dealers early, allowing them to work alongside design teams to ensure alignment between educational goals and furniture needs. Brad explains how early collaboration can help districts avoid common challenges, such as misaligned bids and inconsistent quality, while also simplifying logistics through a single point of contact for delivery and installation.
Meet Our Guest:
Episode Guest:
Brad Kiehl has been working in the educational community for public and private entities for over 25 years and is currently the Director of Educational Planning for HTK Architects. Over the course of his educational career, brad has gained experience in all phases planning, design, construction and being an owner’s representative.
Follow Brad Kiehl on Social Media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradkiehl/
Takeaways:
- Early involvement of furniture dealers
- Best practices for the procurement process
- Benefits of cooperative contracts
- Simplifying delivery and installation through a single point of contact
The Host:
The Better Learning Podcast focuses on improvement at all levels of K-12 education. It features discussions with education leaders. industry experts, and changemakers covering various aspects of the learning experience.
The podcast provides valuable insights and practical advice to break down the silos of education and actively drive change!
Meet Aaron Buehring:
We’re thrilled to introduce Aaron Buehring as the co-host for this special three-part series of the Better Learning Podcast. As the Director of Educational Environments at Lionakis, Aaron brings over 15 years of interior design expertise and a unique background as both a professional anthropologist and interior designer. His holistic approach to design—integrating finishes, branding, furniture, art, and lighting—along with his commitment to research-based strategies, positions him as a leading voice in shaping NextGEN learning environments. Aaron’s passion for enhancing how humans interact with space makes him the perfect guide for these thought-provoking discussions on the transformative role of furniture in education.
Follow Aaron Buehring on Social Media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-buehring-02473545/
Learn More About Lionakis:
https://www.lionakis.com/
Our Partners:
Who made this episode possible?
Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) – https://www.a4le.org/
Education Leaders’ Organization – https://www.ed-leaders.org/
Second Class Foundation – https://secondclassfoundation.org/
Be a Guest on the Better Learning Podcast!
Are you rethinking what learning environments can be? We are always looking for thoughtful school leaders, designers, and educators to join the Better Learning Podcast and share real stories from the field.
As a guest, you will take part in meaningful conversations about student centered design, planning, and collaboration and how these ideas show up in real schools. We explore what is working, what is evolving, and what educators can do today to create learning spaces that truly support students and teachers.
If you are passionate about improving learning environments and have insights, experiences, or lessons to share, we would love to have you on the podcast.
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About the podcast
Through in-depth conversations, the podcast highlights how Radically Student Centered™ approaches can make a tangible difference in schools, inspiring educators, administrators, designers, and anyone passionate about the future of learning.