Previously occupied by a department who had outgrown the space, this rare bit of open real estate on IU Indianapolis’s campus was converted into an interactive showcase for student ideas and community collaboration. The Idea Garden is modestly sized, but innovatively implemented, designed with careful consideration of the impressive high-tech equipment it houses. At just over 1,000 square feet, the digital lab leverages an intricate world of cutting-edge technology, including but not limited to Virtual Reality stations, 28-inch Microsoft display tablets, 27-inch Dell Canvas display tablets, and 3D printers. This Thinker Space was conceived, less as a prefabricated mass-produced space, and more as a vicinity where entrepreneurial growth can be cultivated organically. Interior furniture was selected with adaptability in mind—all pieces can be adjusted to accommodate the wide variation of student needs. Eye-catching colors reflect the high energy of the space itself, now characterized as a playground for student engagement. The sustainably resourced moss is a nod to the space’s title, as well as an embodiment of its goal for students to have connections with the natural world. In a space where square footage is at a premium, the wall space doubles as a dry erase board that students use as a place for brainstorming sessions.

A testament to the efficient coordination of a vast array of technology, a full-height wooden wall supports eight touch-screen panels that function seamlessly as one in the lounge area. The design team had to consider the spatial constraints the technology demanded in addition to budget limitations, durability for student use, and university building design standards. Ultimately, the client anticipated that the Idea Garden would provide a space that would attract students—a place they would feel welcome to enter at any time and all the technological resources would be at their fingertips. This meant integrating a design concept that was impactful, but allowed the technology to stand above all other design aesthetics. The space itself needed to be highly flexible, while incorporating several key areas with specific functions. The design process called for harmonizing technology in an extremely open collaborative space, with several “small spaces” within it.