Creativity requires different thinking modes and activities, while at the same time different types of space can support these activities.
Spaces will appeal to different people or businesses in various ways, but a combination of all four (4) types will promote great environments which will then support the lifestyle or work that is required, the culture you’re building and to reinforce the personal or business values (vision) in a way that’s uniquely you.
Four types of (Creative) Space
4 types of space that support creative activity that enable, engage and energize people:
01. Stimulate: space for inspiration
Humans thrive on stimulation – mental, emotional and physical. Stimulating spaces can speak to people through non-verbal means, reinforcing messages, attitudes and values. They can lift spirits, connect people to a common purpose and appeal to the senses.
02. Reflect: space to think
Reflective spaces allow people to refresh and recharge. They can provide individual contemplation or allow people to focus on a project or task uninterrupted.
03. Collaborate: space to share
Ideas need to be shared in order to get better, progress and ultimately to happen. The best creative collaborative spaces are more than just meeting rooms. In fact they’re usually not meeting rooms – they’re hallways, food stops or outside areas – and they encourage the sharing of tacit knowledge in a non-hierarchical way. Great collaboration spaces are designed to engineer collisions, cross over functions, accommodate impromptu get-togethers, share thinking ‘live’ and they also send cultural ‘open door’ messages that encourage informal conversations despite seniority or tenure.
04. Play: space to connect and explore
Playful spaces allow friends, family or colleagues to connect in a relaxed way – which strengthens relationship bonds and can makes work conversations easier. Playful spaces also let people de-stress and let off steam, making their day more productive and healthy in the long-term.
