The business target

How can we forge new relationships between science and business?

The University of Helsinki is in the top 0.5% of world-class research and teaching academies on the planet, but competition for funding and talent was tight and presented challenges they had to overcome. They needed to refocus their efforts on developing new, human-centric platforms for cooperation – Think Corner (or Tiedekulma) was envisioned as an academic meeting place that would engage business leaders, regular citizens, and the 30,000 campus students with a goal of enhancing the possibilities of scientific research. They chose Kuudes as their service design partner to realise their vision.

Who are we designing for?

The concept for the new Think Corner was created by Kuudes in close collaboration with the university and its key stakeholders over a year-long development project. In order to create useful services for Think Corner users, we defined them according to their motivations, rather than their job title or role. By understanding the users in terms of their motivations to attend, we were able to conceptualise fluid services that all users could access depending on their drivers, regardless of whether they were researchers, current or former students, casual drop-ins, or business partners.

Talk of the town

We explored physical and digital opportunities for connecting with science in new ways. By combining credible, academic content with a collaborative way to operate, visitors will arrive and depart from Think Corner inspired and an idea or a thought richer. Our aim was to increase the use of academic content in learning, working, business, society, events, hobbies, media, travelling and networking. The core idea of Think Corner was to become the inspiring home and an open community for insight and thinking in Helsinki.

Once our work was done, it was time to convert concept ideas into reality. The old administrative building was transformed into a fantastic factory of thoughts by JKMM Architects.