The thesis investigates solutions for increasing creativity and innovation by university environment design. New learning methods emphasize the importance of creative, student-directed problem solving in effective learning. Creativity and innovations are seen as key drivers of the economy based in knowledge, and universities as responsible for the highest education of tomorrow’s creative experts. Often, top universities are already direct sources of commercial innovations and act as an important engine for the economic growth of their regions. Taking creativity into account in university learning environment design can therefore be considered as a valuable research subject.

The thesis approaches the relation between creativity and physical environment from the viewpoint of creativity itself by examining key factors that have been found to initiate creativity. From this base, the study suggests a design concept that aims at supporting these factors. Last, the study presents a design example where the concept is examined to the level of design solutions.

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As a study of architecture, creativity is examined through the factors that physical environment is likely to have significant impact on. The taken framework sets creativity in a wider context of space types, functions, and space organization rather than that of a single room or workplace design. The study is made as a part of a research project “Spaces for learning and creation of new knowledge” (RYM-SHOK Work package 4), of which University Properties of Finland Ltd, acts as the driver company.