Xbrick® meets the Chur model: enriching schools

In today’s educational landscape, schools face numerous challenges that are inextricably linked to the profound changes in our society. Digitalization, individualization and new forms of work are shaping everyday school life and changing the demands on our education system. Schools therefore see it as their duty not only to teach subject-specific skills, but also to promote creative problem-solving skills, social skills and a high level of adaptability among students. At the same time, there are increasing expectations to create a learning environment that addresses these diverse needs and not only supports children in their learning, but also inspires them for what they have learned.

The modern learning landscape therefore calls for innovative approaches that focus on flexibility and individuality. Static forms of teaching, which were common practice in the past, are quickly reaching their limits today. Open learning concepts, on the other hand, are becoming increasingly important as they respond better to the needs of individual students. They create space for creativity and personal responsibility and link learning more closely with the demands of the real world. However, this reorientation also brings with it specific challenges:

Room design: Traditional classrooms are often no longer sufficient to support different forms of learning such as group work, presentations or individual work.
Motivation: A diverse and appealing environment is necessary to motivate students in the long term.
Flexibility: The rooms and furniture must be able to be quickly adapted to different teaching scenarios.
Inclusion: Differentiated learning environments must meet the needs of all pupils, regardless of their individual requirements.
Sustainability: In view of global challenges, it is important that schools act in a resource-conserving and environmentally conscious manner.

Against this backdrop, concepts such as the Chur Model offer exciting solutions that rethink learning and consider interior design as the key to success. But what exactly is behind this approach and how does Xbrick come into play?

The Chur model and similar approaches: Focus on flexibility

The Chur Model was developed in the 1990s in Switzerland, more precisely in the canton of Graubünden, whose capital Chur provided the name for the model. It goes back to the work of Peter Fratton, a Swiss educator and reform pedagogue. Fratton worked intensively on new forms of learning and developed this concept to break down traditional teaching methods and create a flexible learning environment geared towards the individual needs of pupils.

The model was based on the idea that learning is an individual and dynamic process that is often inhibited by rigid structures in everyday school life. The Chur model uses self-organization and competence orientation to create a learning environment in which students can learn independently and at their own pace. Lessons are no longer dominated by a fixed timetable or traditional classroom layouts, but are replaced by dynamic structures tailored to the learning needs of the students. The key features include:

Individualized learning: Each student pursues individual learning goals and works on tasks at their own pace. The learning process is personalized through targeted tasks that are tailored to the respective learning level. This creates a sense of achievement and promotes self-motivation.
Self-determined work: Students can decide for themselves when and how they work on certain learning content. This freedom not only promotes personal responsibility, but also the ability to organize themselves independently and set priorities.
Learning stations: The rooms are divided into different stations that address specific learning objectives and skills. This allows students to switch between practical, creative or theoretical tasks as required.
Inputs in a circle and seating circles: Regular meetings in a seating circle offer the opportunity to reflect on learning progress, clarify open questions and present new tasks. This structured interaction strengthens social connectedness and provides clear orientation.
Bewegtes Lernen: Durch die Integration von Bewegung in den Lernalltag wird nicht nur die Konzentrationsfähigkeit gesteigert, sondern auch die körperliche Gesundheit gefördert. Examples of this include short movement breaks or the use of flexible learning areas such as the floor or open spaces.
Flexibly usable spaces: Instead of traditional classrooms, the Chur model offers multifunctional learning landscapes. Furniture that can be quickly rearranged enables dynamic adaptation to different forms of teaching, from individual work to group projects.
Collaborative forms of work: Exchanging ideas in small groups or teams is a central component of the model. Students not only learn from each other in terms of content, but also develop important social skills such as communication, conflict resolution and collaboration.
Differentiated learning environments: The design of the rooms takes different needs into account. Retreats for concentrated work, creative zones for experiments and communal areas for discussions ensure a diverse and stimulating learning atmosphere.

This model thus integrates various modern pedagogical approaches and creates an environment that enables both individual support and collaborative learning.

School with Xbrick: Innovation for modern teaching

At this point, it has probably already become clear why Xbrick can play an important and supportive role both in terms of lesson design and in the overall school concept. Here is a brief summary of the advantages of Xbrick for everyday school life:

Versatile uses: Xbrick modules can be used as stackable seating elements, work tables, platforms or stage modules and offer maximum flexibility in room design both indoors and outdoors
Lightweight and mobile: Weighing just 1.4 kilograms, the modules can be easily transported by pupils of all ages, which encourages personal responsibility and supports dynamic teaching formats.
Intuitive and safe: Thanks to the self-explanatory and safe use (GS-tested), Xbrick can be used by anyone without any problems, making them particularly inclusive and versatile.
Robust and sustainable: Made from recyclable plastic, the modules are extremely durable, resistant and an environmentally friendly investment.

Xbrick supports new learning concepts by emphasizing movement, flexibility and creative learning concepts and making them easy to implement. As it is possible to start with just a few elements, this can be easily implemented as a retrofit in existing buildings with comparatively low investment. With its versatile application options, Xbrick not only supports the physical activity of pupils, but also creates an innovative environment that is tailored to the individual needs of modern learning methods.

More movement in everyday school life

Xbrick promotes the intuitive integration of movement in the classroom and offers students the opportunity to learn actively and creatively. The modules can be used in different contexts – whether as a seat, standing desk, pedestal or creative work surface. Pupils can create the optimal learning conditions for them depending on their needs and mood. Movement thus becomes an integral part of everyday school life and contributes to both concentration and well-being.

Support for individualized learning approaches

Modern learning concepts emphasize individuality, which often means that students need their own spaces for focused work. With the portable Xbrick modules, such individual learning spaces can be set up quickly and easily – whether in the classroom, in the corridor or outdoors. This spatial flexibility makes it possible to effectively implement individualized learning processes and at the same time encourages students to take responsibility for their own work.

Flexibility in every teaching situation

Xbrick is characterized by its mobility and easy handling. The lightweight modules can be easily transported and rearranged by students of all ages. Whether as individual seating, in combination as a stand or even as a temporary work surface – Xbrick adapts to any teaching situation. This means that rooms can be redesigned again and again with little effort, creating a dynamic and inspiring learning atmosphere.

Organize lessons anywhere: Change of location made easy

Xbrick makes teaching flexible and location-independent. Whether in the schoolyard, in the park or in the corridor – the modules make it possible to relocate the learning space quickly and easily. This spatial variety not only offers new inspiration for teachers and students, but also contributes to the general well-being and motivation of the students.

Practical examples: Xbrick in use at schools

The versatility of Xbrick is demonstrated – where else – in practice. Here are a few examples of applications that further illustrate the added value of the modules:

Open learning landscapes: In schools that use the Chur model or similar concepts, Xbrick modules are used as flexible seating, mobile mini tables or standing desks. This creates dynamic learning environments that promote collaborative work.
Project work: For group projects, pupils use the modules to set up workstations or build presentation podiums. The easy handling facilitates the creative process.
Individual work phases: The modules can be flexibly integrated into learning stations to promote individual learning goals. They not only offer pupils places to retreat to, but also structured workspaces.
Stage module: In all-day schools, where presentations and performances play a central role, Xbrick elements serve as mobile stages or grandstands.
Bewegung und Sport: Die Module eignen sich hervorragend für Bewegungsphasen oder sportliche Übungen. In this way, they contribute to the holistic promotion of physical and mental development.
School café: Xbrick modules can be used in informal meeting places such as school cafés to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere that promotes social interaction.

Find out more about how Xbrick is used in practice → Reference projects

Game ideas for moving learning with Xbrick

The versatile Xbricks can be used to design creative games that combine learning and movement. Whether building, discussing or solving problems together – the Xbricks promote teamwork, motor skills and playful learning. Here are some examples of how Xbricks can be used to make lessons more dynamic.

“Ice floe” with Xbrick

Participants and material: 2-4 teams, 5 students and 7 Xbricks per team.

Game set-up: The Xbricks are laid out in a line, each person stands on an Xbrick, 2 remain free.

Game procedure: The 2 free Xbricks are passed forward by the last person via a human chain and laid out. The person in front steps onto the new Xbrick and the team moves up. The team moves forward step by step without touching the ground.

Goal: The team that reaches the finish line first wins.

Added value: “Ice floe” strengthens teamwork, coordination, balance and strategic thinking – and is a lot of fun!

“Organize numbers” with Xbrick

Participants and material: 2-4 children, 6 Xbricks with number cards (1-6).

Game set-up: The Xbricks are placed on the floor in a random order.

Gameplay: The children work together to find the numbers in the correct order and stack the Xbricks accordingly. Tasks such as finding numbers, placing and stacking are distributed among the team.

Goal: All Xbricks must be stacked correctly from 1 to 6.

Added value: The game promotes number sense, teamwork, communication and motor skills.

“Input in a circle” with Xbrick

Participants and material: 6-10 children, 7-10 Xbricks (one per person, one for the presenter).

Game set-up: The Xbricks are placed in a circle, with one in the middle or slightly offset for the presenter.

Game sequence: The children sit on the Xbricks in a circle while a child or the teacher in the middle gives an input (e.g. knowledge transfer, task, discussion). The children can then take it in turns to ask questions, express opinions or change roles.

Goal: Open exchange and shared learning in a structured environment.

Added value: Promotes communication, listening, presentation skills and group dynamics. The Xbrick circle creates an active and collaborative learning atmosphere.

“Creative building block” with Xbrick

Participants and material: 4-8 children, at least 12 Xbricks, optionally with learning content (e.g. numbers, letters, symbols).

Game setup: The Xbricks are distributed around the room. Some can be provided with learning content. Structures such as gates, walls or market stalls serve as goals and can visually emphasize different learning content.

Game sequence: The children build a structure together, e.g. a gate, where the learning content on the Xbricks must be taken into account (e.g. putting numbers in the right order or letters together to form a word). Other structures such as walls can visualize learning content such as sequences, patterns or concepts. After completion, they can use the structure symbolically, for example by walking through the gate or starting a new task. The tasks are distributed within the team.

Goal: Build different structures that integrate learning content and can be used creatively.

Added value: Promotes creativity, spatial thinking, teamwork and motor skills. Different structures help to deepen learning content such as numeracy or language comprehension in a playful way.

Conclusion: Xbrick as the key to flexible and inspiring learning environments

More than just a modular piece of furniture, Xbrick is a versatile tool that ideally supports modern learning concepts. With flexibility, mobility and sustainability, it offers a forward-looking solution for schools. Xbrick creates inspiring learning spaces that motivate students and teachers alike.
Xbrick creates inspiring learning spaces that motivate students and teachers alike.
Xbrick proves to be the perfect addition to the Chur Model in particular. The model focuses on open learning environments in which students work autonomously and find creative solutions. Thanks to its ease of rearrangement, Xbrick fulfills a wide range of functions – from individual workstations to group tables and room dividers. It promotes self-organization and personal responsibility among learners, while making it easier to adapt rooms to changing needs.
Another highlight is the integration of movement into everyday school life. Flexible sitting and standing options as well as the mobility of the modules increase concentration and physical activity, which has a positive effect on well-being and cognitive performance. At the same time, Xbrick is made of recyclable plastic, is robust and durable – a sustainable, environmentally friendly investment in educational infrastructure.
Whether as part of open learning landscapes, individual workstations, stage modules or sports exercises – Xbrick offers countless possible uses. It combines flexibility, movement and sustainability to create innovative learning spaces that meet the requirements of modern schools. Xbrick stands for the shift towards dynamic, inspiring learning environments that optimally prepare pupils for the future.

The Chur model and similar approaches: Focus on flexibility

School with Xbrick: Innovation for modern teaching