Have you ever wondered why some spaces inspire your creativity, while others seem to stifle it? I was struck by this question recently when I held a workshop on project management at ETH Zurich.
When the room undermines the method
Our workshops are interactive, with group work and dynamic exercises. But instead of a flexible seminar room, we found ourselves in a rigid lecture hall: fixed rows of seats, a raised podium for the lecturer, immovable tables. The message of the room was clear: “This is a place for frontal teaching, not collaborative work.”
I notice how I have become more and more sensitive to space over the years. What would hardly have caught my attention in the past now immediately strikes me: the subtle hierarchy established by a classic lecture hall. The barriers to spontaneous communication. The physical discomfort after only a few hours.
Three scenarios for learning
In my mind, there are three images of learning spaces:
- The desire: A light-filled coworking space with flexible furniture, standing desks, and comfortable seating areas. A place that promotes creativity and exchange.
- The expectation: A classic but modern seminar room with movable tables, sufficient space, and technical equipment. A compromise between structure and flexibility.
- The reality: A lecture hall with fixed rows of seats that conveys one thing above all else: one person speaks, the others listen.
How spaces shape our thinking
Spaces are never neutral. They always convey a message about what kind of interaction is desired and what is not. A lecture hall signals: authority at the front, passive listeners at the back. A circle of chairs, on the other hand, says: Everyone here is equally important, every voice counts.
Research confirms what we intuitively feel: We are more creative in flexible, open spaces. We can concentrate better in bright, well-ventilated environments. And we communicate more openly in spaces that break down hierarchies.
Knowledge management needs the right spaces
Spaces are crucial for effective knowledge management:
- Knowledge discovery thrives in open, inspiring environments that encourage chance encounters and spontaneous conversations.
- Knowledge processing requires quiet spaces with minimal distractions that allow for deep thinking.
- Knowledge transfer works best in spaces that promote exchange on an equal footing and minimize status differences.
What to do if the space is not suitable?
As trainers or participants, we can make a difference even in suboptimal spaces:
- Small adjustments: Even in a lecture hall, we can easily change the seating arrangement by turning to face each other in pairs or rearranging the seats for group work.
- Incorporate movement: Regular activities that get participants up and moving break the static nature of the room.
- Digital expansion: Tools such as digital whiteboards can virtually expand the physical space and create new opportunities for interaction.
Conclusion: Spatial awareness as a key skill
The more I engage with knowledge work, the more convinced I am that spatial awareness is an underestimated key skill. Those who understand how spaces influence thinking and learning can make more conscious decisions—whether it’s choosing a workplace, designing meetings, or planning learning environments.
The perfect space often remains a pipe dream. But awareness of the power of spaces enables us to work and learn more effectively even in less than ideal environments. Ultimately, a space always has an effect on us—the question is whether we are aware of this and act accordingly.
