Emerson School

In 2025, Emerson School in Dandenong, Victoria took a major step forward in their modernisation journey with the installation of 54 Debussy auditorium seats for their new Stage 3B Performing Arts Centre. This was the school's first State-funded capital works project since opening their doors in 1973, and it needed to be done right.

Emerson School serves 380 students with mild intellectual processing difficulties, supported by 130 dedicated staff. Principal John Mooney has been clear about the school's vision: specialist education facilities should be every bit as good as mainstream schools. The new Performing Arts Centre, complete with gymnasium, theatre space, and instrumental practice rooms, would be the centrepiece of their arts curriculum - and it demanded professional-quality seating to match.

Working closely with Barcon Industries, our team developed custom CAD seating plans that maximised capacity across the tiered platform while accounting for the Debussy seat's tilt-back mechanism. We coordinated colour consultations and scheduled the September installation around both the construction timeline and the client's travel schedule.

The Debussy seats feature fully upholstered comfort with cold moulded foam, aluminium frames, and a striking blue fabric that creates a professional, inspiring atmosphere. The tiered configuration ensures every student gets optimal sightlines whether they're watching drama performances, dance recitals, or music concerts - backed by our 5-year commercial warranty.

As a social enterprise, all our profits go to Pathway's work helping people secure housing, employment, and reintegration services. Emerson School now has a Performing Arts Centre that reflects the quality of education they've been delivering for over 50 years - proof that specialist schools deserve nothing less than the best.