How Spaces Become Places
Klaus Sommer Paulsen
AdventureLAB CEO & Founder | Author of "Integrated Storytelling by Design" | AI Explorer | Board Member | Speaker | Creative Strategist | Concept Developer | Storyteller | Design Thinker | Associate Professor
Sometime last year, we were finally presented with the opportunity to return to face-to-face conferences, expos and meeting around the world. Many were reminded that when you walk into a room full of people sharing that space together, it becomes something more than just a place you go to for meetings, work and presentations. Gathering in a physical area has another dynamic and significance to us, not just as professionals but as humans. It gives us something that we crave; meaning. A space gains meaning because of what happens in it, and it becomes a place when it is filled with people and their memories.
The definitions of space vary. Leisure spaces might be a theme park, a museum or the digital realm of a game. Workspaces might be an office, a conference room, or a virtual meeting. And then there is home and school - the list can be elaborated further, but all spaces share a universal rule: When people are in a space, their experiences become the defining elements that make it a place. As phrased by Yi-Fu Tuan in "Space and Place - The Perspective of Experience", what begins as undifferentiated space becomes place as we get to know it better and endow it with value.
What begins as undifferentiated space becomes place as we get to know it better and endow it with value
When we think about designing spaces for people, we need to focus on what they will experience rather than the design elements and objects of the place itself. An audience-centric approach makes for more engaging and memorable sites because it allows us to build narratives into our spaces that are amplified by the inner narrative of those who experience them. We design what happens?around?people to evoke reactions?inside?them. People are the focal point of our creative strategy and concept for a spatial experience, to be prioritised higher than the space itself; people first, spatial attributes second. When you're designing a space for someone else, you need to think about their inner narrative and what kind of story they will build around themselves in that space - whether it's a home, office or a third place of leisure or learning.
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Places are not just digital or physical, and their gravitational point to ensure their successful combination is people. Physical spaces are not dead, but to make them more important than ever, we must consider how they can be developed as unique and memorable places. Furthermore, as the physical space expands into the virtual space of metaverses and multiverses, the crucial connection point in successful convergences is audience-centric hybrid thinking.
It all comes down to this: How will you design spaces of meaning and value to people that will turn them into valued places, regardless of whether they are part of a physical or virtual reality - or a combination of both? With a robust and convincing answer to that question, you may have just cracked to code on how to make a place become a space.
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AdventureLAB CEO & Founder | Author of "Integrated Storytelling by Design" | AI Explorer | Board Member | Speaker | Creative Strategist | Concept Developer | Storyteller | Design Thinker | Associate Professor
2 年This week is your LAST CHANCE to join us in Copenhagen for the “Audience activation and engagement through spatial narratives and immersive experience design” event, beginning March 15. Sign up for the MasterClass, WorkShop or Study Trip - or all of them.? Join us for an interactive and engaging event, where we will explore topics related to spatial narratives and audience-centric immersive experience design across disciplines and physical, virtual and hybrid places. Registration closes on Sunday, March 5, and we are letting the last seats go for a special Final Tickets price with savings of up to €115. After all, we are not doing this to get rich but to meet up with an inspiring group of people. So bring an open mind, perspective and perhaps thoughts on your next project.? For more about the program, please go to adventurelab.live To register, email?[email protected]?or let one of us know that you would like to join. We hope to see you in Copenhagen! David Bassuk https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/dbassuk [email protected]? Klaus Sommer Paulsen https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/klauspaulsen [email protected]? #experiencedesign #spatialnarrative #immersive #storytelling #masterclass #workshop
AdventureLAB CEO & Founder | Author of "Integrated Storytelling by Design" | AI Explorer | Board Member | Speaker | Creative Strategist | Concept Developer | Storyteller | Design Thinker | Associate Professor
2 年David Bassuk and I are very thankful for the positive feedback we received from our two online meet-ups about MAKING MEANINGFUL, MAGICAL and MEMORABLE PLACES. Here are some examples: "I felt both the presenters did a fantastic job of covering the basics as well as introducing new concepts." "You gave us concrete topics and theories that we could implement into our careers; so often times these webinars go a bit too complex in terms of their theoretical applications." "It was clear that both speakers had had some amazingly creative conversations and really found a way of complimenting each other's work and ideas in their presentations. And at the same time also adding their own experiences to questions and perspectives along the way." We will do this one more time on Zoom Monday, February 27, from 15:00 - 16:00 CET / 9 am - 10 am ET. To sign up, please go to?https://loom.ly/cI4ohRU?or send an email to?[email protected] We hope to see you online Monday! #storytelling #spatialnarrative #experiencedesign #metaverse #multiverse #workshop #masterclass #integratedstorytelling
Life-Centered Architect | World Traveler | Podcast Host | Forbes Featured | TEDx Speaker ? Working with Change Makers to Create Transformative Spaces Worldwide ??
2 年This topic is super interesting. what makes a place memorable? what creates that magnetic quality that makes us feel that we want to spend time in a place? I recently came across this beautiful text in a book: "Good (graphic) design suppresses all requirements of education and sophistication, and delivers the message so simply that we receive it without registering that a communication has been delivered." -- Jasper Morrison, Designing design. Spaces should be intuitive, designed to activate all the senses. to tell a story, one who is aligned with the purpose and values of a project. We do it in graphic design and brand identity, identifying carefully the subliminal messages of a brand's logo, colors and fonts. yet, when it comes to spatial design in the built environment (both temporary and permanent structures) we are just beginning to understand the transformative power of space. Thank you for sharing your perspective Klaus Sommer Paulsen. I'm curious to read you book!
Speaker, management advisor, and author of such books as The Experience Economy, Infinite Possibility, Authenticity, and Mass Customization.
2 年Well said, Klaus! "When we think about designing spaces for people, we need to focus on what they will experience rather than the design elements and objects of the place itself." -- #Exactly I would also add the importance of authenticity to creating a sense of place.
Designer de services et d’écosystèmes à impact I Praticienne de la transition par le régénératif et la servicisation | Bleader I Bcorp I Permaentreprise I Butterfly school | Fondatrice Alma & Mesa
2 年Kevin Le Goff