Almost every week brings news of another campus opening an innovation center. Community colleges, liberal arts schools and research universities are all carving out intentional spaces for creativity and collaboration. Driven in part by the rapidly changing needs of employers, higher education is seeking to make its spaces more reflective of a work environment that places a premium on entrepreneurship. Most of these centers feature modern furniture, whiteboards and prototyping equipment like 3D printers. But architects and designers suggest university leaders ask themselves several key questions before getting too far into the process.
Image: The City College of New York's Zahn Innovation Center functions as a startup incubator, offering mentorship and pro-bono services, networking opportunities and rapid prototyping facilities. (photo by Wildbloom Photography)
