Spaces That Stimulate Innovation and Creativity and Provide a Sense of Community and Place — Three Case Studies from Zagreb

The development of information technology and the global economy are causing the emergence of new forms of work and entrepreneurial collaborations. These changes are at the intersection of educational and business activities as well as creative and technological domains. This new design thinking culture requires a stimulating environment. For the last ten years, we have been researching new spatial configurations that provide support for creative and innovative processes. These facilities, with creative and social dynamic they provide, were put into the context of new campus planning, sustainable lifestyle promotion and urban regeneration founded on nature-based solutions. This paper discusses the spatial development of architectural spaces which can house a mix of activities (creation, innovation, enterprise) and offers an elaboration of their organizational and functional characteristics. Moreover, it puts their characteristics into the context of brownfield reuse for the establishment of a new urban identity and the quality of place. This innovative approach for new facilities has been validated by academic community and a local community in Zagreb.