Enjoy all our latest education news and stories
At Natural Pod™, our purpose is to ensure every learner and educator has a practical, healthy, sustainable environment in which to learn and be inspired, enabling them to reach their full potential. You can find all our news and stories here, where we share ideas and thinking that inspire our work to help inspire yours.
Let’s collaborate, and together we’ll bring your new learning space to life – How we do it!
Our team at Natural Pod helps create learning environments where educators and students can thrive. We can also be your design partners, ready to help tailor your space to your teaching and learning needs. Our range of beautiful, functional and interchangeable...
Get ready for a new year of learning – Order your new learning furniture now for quick delivery!
As another calendar year end comes to a close, it's a perfect time of year to begin preparing for a smooth restart for next year. Taking the time now, while your ideas from this fall's education journey are still fresh in your mind, is one of the best times to engage...
Creating Inspired Learning Environments: A Gratitude Journey
Now that it’s November, it’s official; the holiday season has arrived! Ok, maybe it’s a little early, but it’s never too early to pause and reflect, and set intentional plans for seasons to come. For school leaders and design professionals, this year has brought...
Insights from LearningSCAPES 2023: Advancing Learning Environments
Photo: Bryan Byerlee, Nathan Strenge, Bridgitte Alomes, Heather Breton LearningScapes, organized by the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE), is a significant gathering focused on the design and development of learning spaces around the world. This event, held...
Make easy learning space changes with our fall bundle promotion – Limited quantities available!
Looking to make changes to your learning space seating and storage solutions or perhaps you're interested in expanding options for learners in your early learning space? We are offering select bundles of inventoried product available for immediate shipment to help you...
Students as co-authors of their learning environment – A4LE’s LearningSCAPES session
In the realm of education, where many institutions often find comfort in tradition, the Cranston Public School District has boldly stepped into the future. With the creation of the new Garden City Elementary school, they've painted a vivid picture of what's possible...
The intersection of space and emotion in modern education
In the constantly evolving landscape of education, understanding a student's mind is as crucial as delivering knowledge. Today's educators, architects, and designers are presented with a pivotal question: How do we create spaces that not only facilitate academic...
Ideas for Educators: Discovering lessons in everyday objects
Have you ever sat down on a piece of furniture and pondered its origins or the stories it might tell? Bridgitte Alomes, the Founder of Natural Pod, encourages us to look at our surroundings with a fresh perspective, turning often-overlooked objects into learning...
The power of a calm canvas in learning environments
When it's time to head back to school, the learning environment plays a crucial role in making a lasting impression. At Natural Pod, we believe in creating a calm canvas that allows learners to flourish and take ownership of their spaces. Our furniture is thoughtfully...
Promoting dynamic interaction through multi-functional furniture
Imagine stepping into a learning space that's not just a place for imparting knowledge, but a thriving hub that stirs imagination, creativity, and overall educational experiences. Such spaces, teeming with versatility and adaptability, are not merely constructs of...
Celebrating the joy of choice in learning environments
Choice—a daily principle we all value—has earned its rightful place in modern classrooms. We've extended the joy of choice beyond the curriculum, incorporating it into the very heart of our educational landscape. Take mealtime, an everyday situation, where it is our...
Creating a sense of belonging through Nature-Inspired design
Take a moment to pause and look at the tree outside your window. Notice its expansive branches, the delicate sway of its leaves, and the texture of its bark. In the presence of nature, we often feel a deep sense of calm and connection to the world around us. As...
It’s a great time to plan your new learning space
As another full school year comes to a close, it's a perfect time of year to begin preparing for a smooth restart for next year. Taking the time now, while your ideas from a year of learning and education are still fresh in your mind, and before the rush to restart...
Bringing your ‘Lofty’ goals to life: Unlocking imagination with Natural Pod Lofts
At a time of dynamic shifts in learning environments, tight timelines, and limited budgets, educators are facing the challenge of realizing their lofty goals for both education and sustainability. Often, expedience compromises excellence, leaving educators...
Award-Winning ENC Nature Preschool Ignites Curiosity, Naturally
At Natural Pod, we believe that sustainability is more than just certifications and labels. It's about continuously evaluating our choices to ensure they are the best for both people and the planet. With this ethos in mind, we are excited to share the remarkable story...
Investing in learning spaces together
When it comes to investing in the learning spaces, we envision not only for future generations but also for the near future. As the long, sweet, warm days of summer swiftly approach, with the dreaded 'back-to-reality' whiplash of September hot on their heels (or flip...
Take learning to new heights
Consider this for a moment: when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. How might your learning space change when young learners have the opportunity to see the space from an elevated view? Or inches from the ground? Is it possible that...
To refresh or replace, that is the question
Are you an educator who feels hesitant to rearrange your learning space due to fear of damaging your furniture or surrounding space? It's a common concern, but with well-built, modular furniture, you can create different learning spaces throughout the year without...
Nurture your inner storyteller and create cozy firepit seating with our Evergreen Shelving Collection
Creating a space that brings storytelling, idea sharing and group collaboration together provides opportunities for rich social interactions. Sometimes opportunities present themselves by rethinking the configuration of the learning environment. With this in mind, we...
Yes, it’s true! We’re now B Corp certified… What does it mean for you?
The Natural Pod team believes we can create better learning environments for all ages, while being deeply committed to people and the planet. There is great work to be done to be responsible stewards of our environment throughout our business, leading to a positive...
A year in review: 2022
Our 2022 word of the year was partnership. Through intentional partnerships we were able to impact learners and educators in new, meaningful ways. Leaders in learning (aka you!) created better learning environments all around the world! Some of you impacted spaces...
Not perfect, just a little better!
Why conscious buying is more than choosing green products. Black Friday kicks off the global holiday shopping season, and it is obviously impossible to ignore. Many retailers are pondering if this year’s average spend will be lower due to high inflation and a looming...
What we’re reading: We Want A School!
“We Want A School!” - a book illustrating how children define the learning spaces they truly want & need. “We Want a School,” written and illustrated by Enrico Giori and the learners of Grade 5B of the Caracciolo Elementary School Milan, explores from the...
To set students up for success, learning spaces can’t be an afterthought
Due to timeline and distribution complexities created by the pandemic many schools are having to make choices about outfitting their learning environments for September right now and very fast. That is a lot of pressure on educators and administrators at a time when...
Learn more about the dynamic A4LE conversations helping shape better learning environments
The Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) is a non-profit, interdisciplinary association of professionals working at the intersection of learning and place to drive the evolution of learning environments. Made up of regions and chapters across the globe, their...
What we’re reading: Design Thinking for School Leaders
Natural Pod works at the intersection of pedagogy, design and sustainability. So when the team read the opening statement of the book Design Thinking for School Leaders: Five Roles and Mindsets That Ignite Positive Change, our interest was piqued. What if education...
Help us win ‘Best of Year’ design award for our beautiful learning table with its own innovative sustainability story
Interior Design’s 'Best of Year' is the design industry’s premiere design awards program, honoring the most significant work of the year as well as recognizing designers, architects and manufacturers from around the globe. You can help the Natural Pod team win Best of...
Deepening the conversation of how we can all impact students’ learning experiences
When we refer to our community we’re talking about you: all the educators, administrators, parents, architects and designers who pull together to make the experience of learning better for children. Because that’s what is at the heart of this work; creating and...
Expanding students’ environmental awareness through sustainability stories
Raising a strong, resilient generation of planet protectors requires significant social change. A facet of that change is educating for conscious consumption as well as environmental responsibility. With students already being surrounded by learning furniture, that's...
Discussing the importance of learning space design at the Interior Design Show
The Interior Design Show (IDS) Vancouver is the go-to Pacific event for all things design. Taking place on September 22nd – 25th, the theme for IDS 2022 is ‘New Futures’: Thought-leaders with a local and global perspective will tackle the future of design....
What we’re reading: The Future of Smart
'Our Education System Is Failing Because It Is Doing Exactly What It Was Designed to Do!' - Those are the bold opening words that set the stage for concepts within The Future of Smart: How Our Education System Needs to Change to Help All Young People Thrive This is a...
Using business as a force for positive change – Join the conversation
This is a time of needing to ask and answer big questions. Social Venture Institute (SVI) is a big-hearted, socially minded ecosystem of CEOs, entrepreneurs, advocates and changemakers who care about humanity and the planet, and see the urgent need for...
What we’re reading: ‘Making it’
In collaboration with educators, architects and school leaders, Natural Pod intentionally creates learning spaces that are designed to set students up for success; both today, tomorrow and for this fast-moving world. Through the lens of this goal, we've learnt a lot...
Bringing learning space design to the Interior Design Show
The Interior Design Show (IDS) Vancouver is the go-to Pacific event for all things design. Taking place on September 22nd - 25th, the theme for IDS 2022 is 'New Futures': Thought-leaders with a local and global perspective will tackle the future of design....
Learn from Ashanti Bryant at the A4LE Early Childhood Education Conference
For all educators, planners, architects and stakeholders interested in transforming early childhood education the A4LE Early Childhood Education Conference (ECE 2022) conference is for you! The annual ECE 2022, held on September 19-20th in Chicago IL, has partnered...
Vote for our SXSW Edu session + help inspire: ‘A Sustainable Future Guided by Social Justice’
For those of you familiar with SXSW EDU (South by South West Education), you'll know it's a four-day conference that takes place in Austin, TX, each March, offering compelling sessions, in-depth workshops, engaging learning experiences, mentorship, film screenings,...
Join the discussion with Seth Godin to create climate change resources for students + educators
As a community that wants to make a difference in education, best learning outcomes for students, and the ways we can provide a safe and healthy future for them, as well as the planet and its inhabitants. Here is an opportunity to learn more about, discuss and help...
Introducing the woman behind the story, team and impact: Bridgitte Alomes
CEO and founder of British Columbia-based, learning solutions company Natural Pod, Bridgitte Alomes, is dedicated to creating better learning environments through the use of beautifully designed, multi-functional and high-quality education furniture and products, made...
Embracing a Culture of Care + Connection
People kept asking me, “How do you make time for self-care?” After getting asked enough times, I wanted to go deeper and study more about creating a Culture of Care + Connection for myself and the people in my life. This idea of Culture of Care + Connection is ever...