From “Space” To “Place”

A roadmap and a set of open and accessible tools to design, build and animate a collaborative space.

Who are you?

You have a space and need to design services and areas >> Skip this chapter and go to “Services and Interior Design”
You have a space, services and suitable interior design >> Skip this chapter and go to “Knowledge, skills, experience”
You don’t need a dedicated physical space (e.g. need a cyberspace) >> Skip this chapter and go to “Knowledge, skills, experience”
You don’t have the space or you want to renovate or regenerate the one you have >> Stay!

3 | Organize

1 | A - “What”: features related to what shape the space should have
This article may help you consider the key features of a collaborative space. Slide 9 of this presentation provides indications on how to design a collaborative space.

2| A - Engage stakeholders: use in-between-time to co-design the space
Get inspiration reading this article on co-design generative tools to run an initial space co-design workshop. If you are transforming a public space, check this out.

3 | A - Define the role of each stakeholders involved in the space governance
Who owns the space? Who regulates the space and the area? Involve all stakeholders who have influence/decision capacity on the space. You can follow this plan to build partnerships.

1 | B - “Where”: features related to where is better to locate the space
This is related to the business model and what kind of collaboration the space intends to trigger. Click on “Learn more” to see a list of building and zone features to be considered.

2 | B - Look around and find the perfect space
Compare alternative options according to the set of criteria relevant for your team and the engaged stakeholders. Look at this document to identify some useful features when analysing a space.

3 | B - Define a programme of events
Organise events, pop-up and tactical installations to propose meanwhile uses to activate interactions with the space. Those may be physical, virtual or just imaginary. Take a look here and here to get inspiration from some of the best tactical urbanism experiences. Look here for inspiration on meanwhile and temporary uses.

1 | C - “How”: according to your Vision, how do you think the space should be used
This implies reflecting on the exclusive/non-exclusive uses of the space, its temporary and permanent uses, and on all the functions it can host. Take a look at this variety of workspaces for inspiration. Also read this research to analyse different kinds of collaborative spaces.

2 | C - In-depth analysis of property and urban zoning rules
Which functions are allowed in the space and in its area, considering property and urban planning indications? Contact your local administration to discover this, and how to request a change of use if necessary.

3 | C - Agreement for the use of the location
What kind of agreement will you sign? Loan, purchase, temporary use? Refer to your national rules. How does the type of agreement influence the Business Model? Re-define it according to the conditions agreed upon with the space owner and other actors who can influence its uses.

Learn more

1 | Understand

1 | A - “What”: features related to what shape the space should have
This article may help you consider the key features of a collaborative space. Slide 9 of this presentation provides indications on how to design a collaborative space.

1 | B - “Where”: features related to where is better to locate the space
This is related to the business model and what kind of collaboration the space intends to trigger. Click on “Learn more” to see a list of building and zone features to be considered.

1 | C - “How”: according to your Vision, how do you think the space should be used
This implies reflecting on the exclusive/non-exclusive uses of the space, its temporary and permanent uses, and on all the functions it can host. Take a look at this variety of workspaces for inspiration . Also read this research to analyse different kinds of collaborative spaces.

Learn more

2 | Interact

2| A - Engage stakeholders: use in-between-time to co-design the space
Get inspiration reading this article on co-design generative tools to run an initial space co-design workshop. If you are transforming a public space, check this out.

2 | B - Look around and find the perfect space
Compare alternative options according to the set of criteria relevant for your team and the engaged stakeholders. Look at this document to identify some useful features when analysing a space .

2 | C - In-depth analysis of property and urban zoning rules
Which functions are allowed in the space and in its area, considering property and urban planning indications? Contact your local administration to discover this, and how to request a change of use if necessary.

Learn more

3 | Organize

3 | A - Define the role of each stakeholders involved in the space governance
Who owns the space? Who regulates the space and the area? Involve all stakeholders who have influence/decision capacity on the space. You can follow this plan to build partnerships.

3 | B - Define a programme of events
Organise events, pop-up and tactical installations to propose meanwhile uses to activate interactions with the space. Those may be physical, virtual or just imaginary. Take a look here and here to get inspiration from some of the best tactical urbanism experiences. Look here for inspiration on meanwhile and temporary uses.

3 | C - Agreement for the use of the location
What kind of agreement will you sign? Loan, purchase, temporary use? Refer to your national rules. How does the type of agreement influence the Business Model? Re-define it according to the conditions agreed upon with the space owner and other actors who can influence its uses.

Learn more

Communication

Design and communicate your call to action for stakeholders and users to invite them participating in co-design activities related to the space.

Design a first draft of communication strategy to constantly keep in touch with your community and inform about your initiatives.
Try to understand how objects can communicate and enable communication. Can they be used to communicate intuitive messages, or wayfinding?

Can they bear meaning and function in terms of communication? Some examples: re-use of objects connected to the space history, furniture made by the community, circular design of furniture.

Business Model

How will the choice of area and space influence your business model?

space dimensions
space ownership
space management costs
interaction with other activities and actors in the area
local audiences
local needs

are all factors impacting significantly on your business model.

Revise your Business Model draft considering how the choice of the space and its characteristics influence: Activities, Resources, Cost structure, Partner/suppliers, Revenue stream, Value proposition and Target audience.

Governance

The decisions on the space and its location can influence your governance decisions. You can thus analyse your initiative governance asking the following questions:

Who owns the space? Who uses it? Who has access to it?
How do these elements may influence your governance system?

Who directly affects or is directly affected by your space in the area? To what extent and how are they going to be involved in the decision process?

Legal form

Parameters you need to take into consideration:

Who owns the space? How does this influence your legal form?

How does urban zoning regulation affect the activities you would like to implement? Is this reflected in your organisation legal form?

Take care of necessary permits to understand if the space is ready to be opened or rather if it should be improved: check your local and national technical specifications and requirements related to practical settings such as fire protection, alarm systems, number of emergency exits, accessibility.