In 2014 Deerfield's Butler library was undergoing a long-awaited renovation when the head of school asked Kristian to work with the dean and faculty to re-envision how the library might evolve from a place of stored knowledge to a place where students were excited to come and be collaboratively creative.
Kristian guided the faculty to envision a new program and location of the space. He then worked with the school's architecture firm to further define program, schematic design and execution including FF&E. Kristian was able to bring best practices from similar build-outs he led for SAP, P&G, startups and CCA's Hybrid Lab, thus bringing both Fortune 500 and Silicon Valley innovation practices to the new space in the basement of the old library in Western Massachusetts.
Today the school's Innovation Lab not only brings students to the library daily but is a also a thriving place for creativity and making. The lab complements the school's traditional liberal arts curriculum with 21st collaborative STEaM skills. Many of these students will traditionally become captains of industry. Grounding students early in human-centered innovation and making is a key step in helping enable their creative energy toward a positive social impact.
Testimonial
“Kristian helped us focus on the substance of what our innovation programs and spaces could do; he helped us distill value and focus from a dilute collection of opportunities, challenges, trends, and trouble spots.”