How can architecture studios be designed to optimize creativity?
Molly Bruns | Fall 2023
The University of Kansas Arch 600: Human Factors Research - Casey Franklin
Architecture & design is ever-changing & evolving. So why shouldn’t the studio space? How can the physical space of the studio better benefit students and educators?
Utilizing research methods to create a symbiotic studio
Molly Bruns | Fall 2023
The University of Kansas
Arch 600: Human Factors
Research - Casey Franklin
Research Methods
Annotated Works Cited
Warner, Scott A., and Kerri L. Myers. “The Creative Classroom: The Role of Space and Place Toward Facilitating Creativity.” Technology Teacher 69.4 (2010): 28-34. ProQuest. Web.
This article begins with examining the changing learning environment as technology evolves and analyses historical precedents such as Woodward’s 1887 study of manual training schools. After this, a list of key elements that space should provide emerges. That list is as follows: “An information-rich environment, that extends beyond the normal laboratory confines, that Provides equipment and materials for modeling and prototyping, that Includes an area appropriate for designing and drawing, that Includes such ambient features as space for small group conferencing, and an inviting and stimulating color scheme, where Resources for testing and measuring are readily accessible, that Is flexible for reconfiguration and adaptation to changing needs, that Has space for displays and storage, and Is environmentally inviting”. From there, key environmental factors are identified such as lighting, color, decoration, furniture, resources, sensory variables, space configuration, and class size. In conclusion, Warner and Myers argue that the element of creativity in learning is a crucial one that can not be neglected.
Dul, Jan, and Canan Ceylan. “The impact of a creativity‐supporting work environment on a firm’s product innovation performance.” Journal of Product Innovation Management, vol. 31, no. 6, 2014, pp. 1254–1267
This paper examines the relationship between a firm’s creativity-supporting work environment and a firm’s product innovation performance in a sample of 103 firms. For measuring a firm’s creativity-supporting work environment, a comprehensive and creativity-focused framework is used. The framework consists of 9 socialorganizational and 12 physical work environment characteristics that are likely to enhance employee creativity (crowdedness, access to a window, biophilic elements, sensory elements, organization of space, etc.). These characteristics contribute to the firm’s overall work environment that supports creativity. The firm’s product innovation performance is defined by two distinct concepts: new product productivity (NP productivity), which is the extent to which the firm introduces new products to the market, and new product success (NP success), which is the percentage of the firm’s sales from new products. In most firms, different knowledgeable informants provided the data for the variables. The results show that firms with creativity-supporting work environments introduce more new products to the market (NP productivity), and have more NP success in terms of new product sales (NP success). NP productivity partly mediates the relationship between a creativity-supporting work environment and NP success.
Mayfield, Milton, and Jacqueline Mayfield. “Leader Talk and the Creative Spark: A Research Note on how Leader Motivating Language use Influences Follower Creative Environment Perceptions.” International Journal of Business Communication 54.2 (2017): 210-25. ProQuest. Web.
In this article, a measure for perceived creativity in the workplace was developed through the interaction with motivating language and behaviors. This led to the conclusion of an important relationship between leader ML (Motivating Language) and an employee’s positive perceptions of the creative environment at work. Such a strong link underscores ML’s potential to improve an employee’s work life by encouraging creativity. This discovery extends research that identifies leadership behavior and perceived support as key facilitators of employee creativity.
Mayfield, Milton, Jacqueline Mayfield, and Kathy Qing Ma. “Innovation Matters: Creative Environment, Absenteeism, and Job Satisfaction.” Journal of Organizational Change Management 33.5 (2020): 715-35. ProQuest. Web.
The authors identified that a lack of creative environments leads to absenteeism (failure to report for or remain at work as scheduled, regardless of the reason.) In the workplace. They used the scale for creative environment, developed by Mayfield and Mayfield in 2010. Their findings concluded that as the rating of how creative the environment increased, absenteeism decreased. They also observed an increase in job satisfaction as the environment creativity increased.
“A Systematic Review of Design Creativity in the Architectural Design Studio.” Buildings 11.1 (2021): 31. ProQuest. Web
The authors pose the question “What creativity and ideation issues exist during design activity carried out in the architectural studio?” Through background research, they created five key categories in effecting creativity. The categories included pedagogy, cognitive approach, interaction and socialization, representations: models and tools, and measuring ideation and creativity. Through the research they concluded that a successful design environment is highly collaborative while inviting individual expression; it invites the use of a wide range of stimuli within a context of established typographies; it is well-suited to the use of advanced visualization technologies, but relies on conventional sketching and drawing practices; and increasing structure is recommended to support activities despite the recognition for individual reflection and metacognition.
Blomberg, Annika J., and Tomi J. Kallio. “A Review of the Physical Context of Creativity: A three‐dimensional Framework for Investigating the Physical Context of Creativity.” International Journal of Management Reviews 24.3 (2022): 433-51. ProQuest. Web.
Many companies are investing a lot in creating what they call ‘creative offices.’ In this paper, we explore two areas of interest that have caught the attention of scholars from different fields: organizational creativity and the physical layout of offices. These two areas often use different terms and draw from different perspectives, and as a result, their connection hasn’t been thoroughly explored in existing literature. To shed light on how physical space and creativity are related, we present a comprehensive review using a three-dimensional framework that looks at the elements of workspace, the social dynamics of space, and the relationship between space and creativity. This framework helps us analyze existing research on the physical context of creativity. Drawing from our review and this framework, we propose three directions for future studies on the physical aspect of creativity. These directions stem from a broader understanding of physical space that aligns better with the modern concept of creativity as a dynamic process.
Annotated Works Cites (cont.)
McCoy, Janetta Mitchell. “Linking the Physical Work Environment to Creative Context.” Journal of Creative Behavior 39.3 (2005): 169-91. ProQuest. Web.
Teams’ creative achievements are increasingly recognized as a primary output for organizations. As technology advances, generating vast amounts of accessible information, many corporate and government entities face the challenge of creatively utilizing this information. Despite efforts and investments in identifying and training teams for creative success, there’s limited understanding of how the physical design of organizational environments contributes to creativity. This literature review, encompassing creativity, organizational behavior, and environment and behavior studies, highlights the importance of the physical environment in fostering creativity. It establishes connections between creative team characteristics, social influences, and the properties of the physical office environment.
“Creativity, Work and the Physical Environment.” Steelcase, 2017, chrome-extension:// efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/www.steelcase.com/content/uploads/2017/06/360_Focus.pdf.
Steelcase outlines the importance of prioritizing creativity within the workplace. As the availability and prevalence of AI are on the rise, the human element of design is more crucial than ever. They then outline the key factors to fostering a creative environment. They are as follows: interactions that aim to inspire, emotional and physical comfort that acts as a “social lubricant”, building a fluid ecosystem with varying privacy opportunities, and cultivating a community that values a creative culture.
Summary
These sources provide an interesting and multifaceted outlook as far as research methods for measuring creativity. The conclusions gathered allow for a sound foundation in key elements in fostering creativity within the studio. Some key takeaways are fostering a supportive culture, prioritizing physical and mental comfort, incorporating positive sensory elements, incorporating spaces for varying collaboration levels, and the inclusion of personal identity.
Methods Suggestion
Based on these findings, I would suggest three different research methods. The first being a survey for mass general feedback, the second observational research to see how users are currently using the space, and the third being a focus group to dig deeper into certain topics.
Behavioral Observation & Analysis
Observers were placed within both shared studio and solo studio spaces to observe how users are using the space. Over the course of a few weeks data points were collected.
% type of interaction
locations - no specified interaction type
% of Observations by participant type
Student & Professor locationsInteractive
Observation Notes
While collecting data, it was clear that students greatly appreciated having a place to “home” from, such as a desk, but when wanting to interact with others were concerned with disrupting others, thus creating discomfort.
Student
Shared Studio Data Points
Student locations - No interaction (Focus)
Student locations - Social Interaction
Student locations - Academic Interaction
Behavioral Observation & Analysis (cont.)
Observation Notes
Students were less prone to collaborate in the solo studio, but when interacting with a professor, students tended to join in on other’s critiques.
Summary
These results show that more collaboration occurs when more than one studio shares a space. Most professor and student interactions occur at a separate location than the student desk.
Student locations - no specified interaction type
Student & Professor locationsInteractive
Solo Studio Data Points
Student locations - No interaction (Focus)
Student locations - Social Interaction
Student locations - Academic Interaction
Creativity Research Summary
Throughout the semester, researching articles, studio observations, and data analysis aided in developing a better understanding of what makes a space proper for creativity
Research Articles
Analyzing different facets of creativity, including physical space and abstract concepts like studio culture, reveals that cultivating creativity in a studio demands a comprehensive approach to space design. Incorporating factors like comfort and personal agency are crucial for fostering creativity, but also creating opportunities for collaboration and support is key to having ideas grow and evolve.
Studio Observations
Throughout the semester, I was able to observe and collect data on both shared and single studio spaces to best understand how the space is being used. It showed areas where the space was being under-utilized, while also highlighting points of success.
Data Analysis
Through the administration of a survey as well as analyzing data points from observations, the ability to pinpoint positive and negative design elements within studios emerged
Goals & Prototype
Design Goals
Through pre-design research, studio observations, and data collection and analysis, six main design goals emerged
Flexibility
The space should be able to be used in a variety of ways such as focused work, collaboration, presentation, meetings, and rest
Collaboration
Incorporating both active and passive collaboration is key to creativity. Active collaboration include spaces where users can gather and share ideas and passive collaborations includes things such as pin-up boards
Support
The space should offer support amenities such as a kitchenette, technology, relaxation ares, and storage
Conclusion
In conclusion creating a functional layout that allows for multiple opportunities and type of work as well as promoting collaboration and self-expression leads to a studio environment that boosts creativity. Providing students with the amenities they need and the ability to work without distraction and limit stress inducing factors can create a positive work environment ultimately boosting the create spirit.
Comfort
Both physical and mental comfort are important to promoting a healthy work environment which leads to creativity
Privacy
The ability to have privacy and ownership within a shared space allows for personalization and comfort. Incorporating personal storage and private areas within the studio increase creativity
Aesthetics
The space should overall have an inviting and comforting appearance and ambiance.
Potential Real Life Implications
By increasing the creativity of a studio environment it allows students to express more ideas, thus resulting in increased learning. Prioritizing these key elements in out design of studios helps to improve not only the work of the students, but better their overall wellbeing.
Creative Studio Prototype
This prototype was designed to be a single studio room within a larger building. The space has been organized to create both desk and collaborative space within the same room
1. Work Space This studio is created for 20 students, each with their own desk
2. Storage Closet A large storage closet allows for unneeded furniture, supplies, or other belongings to be out of the way
3. Phone Booth These “phone booths” allows users to take a private call, step away to focus, or relax privately
4. Lounge This lounge space allows students an area to be social or work in a different posture while still being near their main work space
5. Collaboration Space This collaboration space is equipped with an interactive monitor for critique
6. Amenities Across from the lounge space is a place where users can access a fridge, microwave, coffee machine, and storage.
7. Interactive Screens These mobile screens allow for instruction anywhere, but have a place to home for typical instruction
8. Student Storage Built in cabinets were added for student to store personal belongings and supplies
Creative Studio
Axon
The collaboration area is kept separate from focus space Integrated technology is added to boost creativity through critique and collaboration
The desking system has integrated power for easy access for charging
Pin-up spaces are throughout the entire room adding elements of collaboration and acoustic properties
The focus area of the studio is separated both visually and audibly from the collaboration and lounge spaces
The phone booths offer privacy, they come equipped with smart glass that can become frosted at the click of a button
The lighting design helps create a comfortable atmosphere by anchoring the space, adding acoustics, and are dimable
The desking system is at a standing height to offer multiple postures while working.
Reflection
Throughout this course, the ability to go in to in-depth research on topics such as inclusivity and creativity has allowed me to approach my design process differently. Where informed design has always been an important aspect of my design development, this course has given me new tools to better understand those decisions.
In the inclusive restroom project and creativity study, being able to analyze case studies, research different articles and academic journals, and conduct in-person research has allowed me to make more informed design decisions. It has caused me caused me to appreciate aspects of spaces that can tend to feel as afterthought, but in reality deeply affect the user experience.
Overall, this course has helped me to better understand designing for the user and always prioritizing their health, safety, and wellness. When approaching projects from here on out I have a new outlook on how to design for a positive human experience.
