Thinking space

In the Denkraum, we combine stories with theories and thus create a place where new perspectives emerge. Here we think, research and design together - interdisciplinary, creative and beyond the usual boundaries. Between warm colors, a flexible room concept and modern technology, vision and reality come together.

The Danish writer Inger Christensen explained that "as a human being, I am confronted with forms of systems all the time". She wanted to write poems "that are a combination of the world and myself" and that are "different than when I just write from my own private world". People also think in the thinking space because they combine theories of the world with stories from their own world. While the story invites us to identify with the storyteller and experience what is being told from an internal perspective, the theory opens up the possibility of adopting an external perspective. In the outside perspective, we take a sober look at the narrative and find explanations and systems. We therefore think through the projects in the thinking space in a spatio-temporal order and think beyond space and time in stories.

The project brings knowledge to life in business processes in order to promote a working culture characterized by openness and diversity. The result is a concept for knowledge management that not only stores knowledge, but also cultivates knowledge at all levels of a company. In order to visualize implicit knowledge, the project uses the pattern theory founded by the architect C. Alexander. By jointly constructing patterns and a pattern language and using them for visualization, companies reflect current processes. The pattern language enables companies to independently design business processes in which meaning is experienced individually and collectively. To this end, it is important to derive the concept of "aesthetic business processes", which focuses on the uniqueness of employees. The value of the project arises when new perspectives become visible in a holistic learning process at all levels of a company.

Further information

What are the topics of the "Map & Model" training course?

The focus is on the realization that values, experiences, visions and the knowledge of employees are particularly reflected in everyday routines. These routines are often the key to sustainable success. But how can they be recorded, analyzed and passed on? The ProlOg team has developed an innovative visualization method for this purpose: ProlOg "Map & Model" is a haptic tool that uses signs, pictograms and structuring questions to capture and map company processes.

The method works in a playful way: participants can depict their processes step by step on a kind of game plan. This creates a visual, interactive picture of their processes that opens up new perspectives and facilitates exchange. This allows companies not only to reflect on their own best practices, but also to gain impetus for sustainable change.

ProlOg thus helps organizations to become not only more efficient, but also more vibrant - with processes that focus on people.

Further information & registration

Atmosphere: The Denkraum is a conference room for up to 20 people. The Denkraum wants to be reserved so that we can experience stories emphatically and follow the logic of theories. Warm tones and earth tones blend to provide a framework for warmth and comfort, for subtlety and sophistication. The Denkraum has a spatial concept that can be easily adapted to the type of event. As far as the lighting is concerned, attention has been paid to bright and natural light. All lamps in the Denkraum can be dimmed. The structure of the materials used creates contrasts for a meaningful atmosphere in which we want to come together and think.

Equipment: The technologies in the thinking space are designed to support different styles of collaborative thinking. Knowledge can be visualized via flipchart, smartboard, video wall and an integrated sound system. A camera system can connect physically present teams with virtual teams. Finally, the thinking space focuses on the individual. Analog media such as books or walls that can be written on by hand are intended to expand the digital possibilities and meet the needs of as many people as possible. The furniture in the thinking space includes a retractable conference table and rollable stools that can be moved to accommodate different room configurations.

Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences - Faculty of Engineering - Department of Mechanical Engineering

Think tank T153

Constantiaplatz 4

26723 Emden