Event Report - Creative Spaces

Here is the event report on Physical/Creative Spaces from the Churchill Club's Melbourne Event on 18-Jun-09 - with thanks to Brendan Lewis
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Public spaces, retail spaces, office spaces, museum spaces, personal spaces...what impact do the spaces we inhabit have on how we think and work and be?

Space is all around us but rarely do we think about it beyond the veneer (and mostly not even that deeply). We often spend hours deciding what technologies to employ and finding the "right" people and then carelessly toss them into any old space we can find that fits the budget. But don't underestimate the role that creatively thoughtful spaces can play in success - space can inspire, invigorate, engage and challenge us and when ignored just as easily turn all those things on their heads.

The Panellists were
Jan Van Schaik - Minifie Nixon Architects
Bryon Cunningham - Director of Cunningham Martin
Clare Cousins - Clare Cousins Architects

with Michel Hogan - Principal of Brandology as the Moderator

Some thoughts on physical design considerations

Starting with a set structure (such as a strip shop)  or a blank canvas does not necessarily increase the challenge.  Its what you want to do with it that matters.

Daylight and heat are big enemies of space design.

In designer terms, artefacts are things that don't happen as planned (good and bad).

Thinking about the design

Task spaces are easy generally considered easy to design – its the accidental or bump spaces are hard because you are designing for the “unknown” to take place.  These accidents are key to the value of a general space, however they are incredibly difficult to quantify or explain as the benefit of a design.

Another problematic area is the value of invisible elements.  The invisible elements (eg the colour of the walls, lighting etc ) are what makes a space feel authentic as compared to the decorations which can make a space feel contrived.  However because of their nature ( invisible!) their impact is difficult to value when trying to pitch a design.  But the invisible elements create the bulk of work in a design.

Lighting is the key

Great lighting can virtually save any space.  Lighting can add drama or emotion.  This means that dark space are much easier to design, and daylight is the enemy.

Contrast in lighting is important , if you can't see an exposed light source, you can actually see in incredibly dim light.

The colour of light is also important – not just in the features being lit, but how does your skin look in the light?  Yucky looking skin =  yucky experience.

Some thoughts on the experience within the space

Think about the feeling you want to generate: For instance do you want people to feel safe, comfortable, entertained, uplifted or surprised?

Do you want people to be able to discover things, or have a moment.

Remember that visitors to your space can get fatigued.  You need to connect the space with the outside, and not just make it a black box.

People inside need to understand the dimensions of the space, otherwise they will feel trapped (ie its okay not to be able to see the exit,  if you have a general idea of where the exit is).

People are much less likely to make a purchase within a space if they feel the experience is contrived or artificial.

Some thoughts about the exterior of the space

Spaces need to introduce themselves.  Their entrance and purpose needs to be obvious otherwise you you will have people in the wrong mindset when they enter (unless of course its designed as a challenging space).

Exits to spaces are almost always done badly.  For instance the enforced visit to a shop on the way out of a zoo, museum or exhibit is actually less likely to generate sales as it is now all too common and it irritates the jaded consumer.

Don't forget that other sensory experiences such as noises, movement and smells can introduce a space.  A great example of this is Subway stores deliberately pumping out that freshly baked bread smell.

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