In this research we analyze the mismatch between desk and chair key characteristics and the respective pupil’s anthropometric data. Sample is taken from11 public elementary schools in six regions in Central Java Indonesia. Mismatch comparisons are made among existing desk and chair, Indonesia National Standard (SNI) dimensions of desk and chair, and dimensions from pupil’s anthropometric data. From the results of the analysis, seat height and desk height have the highest mismatch, while seat width and under desk clearance have the lowest mismatch. In general, four key characteristics dimensions from pupil’s anthropometric data are considered to have better match compared to existing and SNI key characteristics dimensions. A redesign is needed due to the results of the analysis.

Rearranging furniture in elementary school classrooms encourages classroom activities. In elementary schools in Indonesia and some other developing countries, usually only one style of furniture is used for all children, and the furniture is heavy and oversized for younger children. This affects their ability to carry it. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of elementary school furniture weight and children’s age on performance of three carrying tasks (carrying a chair, lifting and turning a chair on a desk, and carrying both a chair and a desk together), from the ergonomics point of view. A total of 42 schoolchildren (ages 6–9; 17 Indonesian, 25 Japanese) participated in this study. Two types of Japanese chairs (Chair A and B, weight: 3.2 kg and 3.9 kg), one type of Indonesian chair (Chair C, weight: 5.0 kg), and two types of desks (height: 58 cm and 68 cm) were used. Indonesian chairs took significantly longer time to carry than the two Japanese chairs, and there was a significant negative relationship between age and task time for Chairs B and C, but not Chair A. Success rates for lifting and turning the chair declined as age decreased and chair weight increased, but were not significantly influenced by desk height. Success rates for carrying a chair and desk together significantly decreased with heavier furniture. Children aged six showed an extremely low success rate in almost all conditions. In conclusion, children’s ability to carry furniture is affected by their age and furniture characteristics, especially weight. In order to encourage classroom activities in elementary school, school furniture should be of appropriate weight. Supervision for younger children is required during classroom furniture arrangement.

The aim of this article was to determine the mismatch between the existing desks and chairs in elementary schools and the anthropometric measurements of students in several regions of Central Java, Indonesia. Based on the mismatch, recommendations are given to improve the fit of the desks and chairs with the students' anthropometry. Five critical dimensions of desk and chair were included in the analysis: seat height (SH), seat depth (SD), seat width (SW), desk height (DH), and under-desk clearance (DC). The analysis provided three critical chair dimensions and two critical desk dimensions with a high degree of mismatch. ANOVA and Tukey tests were performed to determine the grouping of students' anthropometric data. Four sizes of chair and three sizes of desk are proposed based on the results of the analysis. The proposed dimensions lower mismatch more than the existing dimensions.

Adopting the green concept for building as a place for human activities will be proved a sustainable environment. However, caring about the environment through habit in the early stage of human life is valuable. This study aims to find how green building school encourages students to be aware of their environment; and know the application of the green concept in their school. This research uses the green design and the habitus theory to explore how habits can be formed deliberately and how the actors in the school can create communities that are aware of the environment. It showed that the sustainable architecture and eco-environment encourage the user to be familiar with the environmental concept. Those were applying sustainable materials like bamboo to construct the building; utilization of solar energy and biogas as electricity; recycling animal waste into fertilizer; windmills through underground tunnels as air conditioners; and organic gardening. The green concept in the school creates a green environment and encourages students to establish green concepts in their minds. This study shows that the sustainable architecture and eco-friendly environment make the userspace familiar with the environment-friendly concept.