Spatial Elements and Their Influence on Creative Work: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Abstract Creative spaces have been the subject of study in recent years. Multiple research studies have demonstrated the positive impact that an accurate workspace design has on increasing worker productivity and well-being. However, there are still many questions about the influence of workspace design on creativity and creative work. This paper aims to provide a review of the state-of-the-art about spatial elements (e.g., tables, chairs, whiteboards, etc.) that influence creative work which is carried out in creative spaces such as offices or learning environments. We conducted a literature search within the Scopus database, and we screened and filtered the returned 2214 sources based on their title and abstract. After that, we identified 34 relevant articles, with which we carry a full-text analysis. From selected articles, we extracted: (i) spatial elements present in creative environments and (ii) how these elements influence creative work. We found that most of the spatial elements provide visual stimuli and inspiration, allow people to build things and capture spontaneous ideas easily, and contribute to the flexible use of the space, encouraging collaboration, privacy, or social encounters. The results provide an overview of the current state of the art of creative spaces topic that can be used by researchers, practitioners, and educators to conduct further research in this field and to take better decisions about spatial element choice.