International School, HK

Inside Hong Kong’s International Shift: The High-Performance Furniture Transforming Sixth Forms into Undergraduate Hubs

This shift is coming to life at a leading international school’s brand-new Sixth Form Centre at The Bay Hub in Kowloon Bay. Spanning over 45,272 sq. ft. across two floors of a retail podium within a Grade A office building owned by the PAG and Mapletree joint venture, the new centre extends the school’s existing Kowloon Bay campus. Thoughtfully designed for Year 12 and Year 13 students, the space features 12 classrooms, state-of-the-art study areas for independent and collaborative learning, and social spaces that support students’ academic growth and social development as they prepare for university life and greater independence.

Another major international school project dedicated to crafting university-style centres for final-year students, this project required an integrated ecosystem of architectural partitions and specialized furniture tailored to support advanced academic growth. 

The Challenge: Bridging Secondary Education and Higher Education 

Designing for Sixth Form students requires an intentional departure from standard secondary school layouts. Final-year students are on the threshold of university life, demanding spaces that cultivate self-directed study, peer-to-peer collaboration, and professional responsibility. 

Key challenges for the space included: 

• Providing high-performance acoustic separation for focused independent study and formal classrooms without sacrificing visual transparency and natural light. 

• Integrating flexible, ergonomic furniture that supports diverse academic activities: from rigorous seminar discussions to casual social interaction. 

• Equipping students with professional storage and workspace tools that mirror modern higher education campuses and corporate environments. 

The Solution: A Fully Integrated Architectural and Furniture Ecosystem 

To bring this vision to life, JEB Group delivered a comprehensive suite of high-performance architectural partitions and custom-curated furniture systems. Every product was selected to support the psychological and behavioral transition from school pupil to university scholar. 

Architectural Framing & Partitions 

• X-series double glazed STC 45 extra white tempered glass partitions: Deliver superior acoustic performance and a luminous, distraction-free environment while maintaining visual openness across the learning hub. 

• Plus door double glazed STC 42 systems & Entry door double leaf: Ensure seamless transition and sound insulation between active collaborative zones and quiet study areas. 

• Power column: Strategically integrated to maintain continuous, accessible power across open zones without disrupting clean architectural lines. 

University-Ready Workspace & Study Solutions 

• JEB Single & Double-Sized Student Desks / Harkness Classroom Tables: Tailored for independent focus and collaborative seminar-style discussions, encouraging active debate and critical thinking. 

• Lexta Club Work Pods & Shared Study Desks (with cable management and shared desktop screens): Provide micro-environments for concentrated individual tasks and small group cooperation. 

• Ergotron – TeachWell Mobile Digital Workspace: Empowers educators with a flexible, mobile digital teaching desk that adapts to dynamic classroom layouts. 

Collaborative & Social Hubs 

• JEB Communal Tables, Meeting Tables, Round Tables & Round Lecture Tables: Cultivate the active engagement and peer interaction students will encounter on university campuses. 

• JEB Double Telebooths: Provide isolated 2-PAX meeting booths for focused digital collaboration and small-group brainstorming. 

• JEB Lounge Sofa (Study & Lounge Armchairs with wooden bases), Lexta Giri & Highway Coffee Tables, JEB Square/Rectangular/Round Coffee Tables & Dining Tables: Create inviting social and breakout spaces that support student well-being and casual peer communication. 

• UFOU Lite Layer Sled Legs Chairs: Offer lightweight, agile seating solutions across versatile multi-use zones. 

Storage & Administration 

• JEB 3-Drawer Lateral File Cabinets, Low Roller Shutter Door Cabinets with Countertop, Mobile Bookshelves with Castors, and 3-Tier Lockers with Bottom Drawers: Give students a true sense of personal ownership and organization over their learning materials. 

• JEB Circular Double Tier Bookshelf with Planter: Integrates biophilic design elements directly into resource areas to enhance student focus and environmental wellness. 

• 9am PESK Bench Height-Adjustable Desk: Provides modern, ergonomic workstations for faculty and staff support areas. 

Scalable Workspace Integration 

Zone / Area	Key Partitions & Furniture	Operational & Educational Benefit
Classrooms & Seminar Rooms	X-series STC 45 Partitions, Plus Door STC 42, Harkness Tables, Ergotron TeachWell Desks, JEB Round Tables	Superior acoustic control paired with traditional-meets-modern seminar layouts for interactive teaching.
Independent Study Zones	JEB Single/Double Student Desks, Lexta Club Work Pods, Shared Study Desks, Power Columns	Cultivates rigorous academic focus, individual autonomy, and seamless digital connectivity.
Collaborative & Group Hubs	JEB Communal Tables, Meeting Tables, JEB Double Telebooths	Facilitates small-group teamwork and peer-to-peer discussion mirroring university group work.
Social & Breakout Spaces	JEB Lounge Armchairs, Lexta Coffee Tables, JEB Dining Tables, Circular Bookshelves with Planters	Promotes student well-being, mental relaxation, and casual socialization in a biophilic setting.
Storage & Resource Centres	3-Tier Lockers, Mobile Bookshelves, Low Roller Shutter Cabinets	Delivers secure personal storage and flexible resource management for final-year students.
Staff & Administration	9am PESK Bench Height-Adjustable Desks	Offers ergonomic flexibility and comfort for faculty supporting the Sixth Form cohort.

JEB Design Takeaway 

Projects like this international school’s demonstrate how educational spaces must evolve to reflect the demands of higher education. By seamlessly integrating high-performance acoustic systems with versatile, human-centric furniture solutions, these environments encourage independence, foster collaboration, and support students’ academic growth and maturity.

Connect with Our Team 

JEB Group provides architects, designers, and institutions across the region with the technical expertise and premium solutions required to execute high-performance educational environments with absolute confidence. 

Ready to elevate your next education or commercial project? Contact our team to explore how our acoustic partitions and integrated furniture solutions can transform your space.