The Innovation District Delft is a vibrant area where knowledge, technology, and entrepreneurship intersect. Universities, research institutions, startups, and companies collaborate here to develop solutions for both social and technological challenges. The district offers high-quality facilities, flexible workspaces, and a strong emphasis on collaboration and knowledge sharing. This makes the Innovation District not only a breeding ground for talent but also a driving force for innovation, both regionally and internationally.

Despite the presence of iconic institutions, the Innovation District Delft brand remains insufficiently visible and tangible to users and visitors. Currently, wayfinding within the area is suboptimal, making it difficult for visitors and new users to navigate and fully experience the potential of the district. The area is also still evolving and will in the future accommodate even more functions and target groups. This creates a need for a scalable strategy that truly allows the district to feel like a place of—and for—innovation.

How can innovation be made tangible?

Innovation becomes truly tangible not just when it's visible in technology and buildings, but when it comes to life through the stories, people, and places that define the district. Innovation District Delft is rich in inspiring initiatives, diverse expertise, and pioneering projects. Each of these elements contributes to the unique character of the area. One way to express this is by actively sharing and showcasing the diversity of stories in the public space, creating a vivid image of continuous renewal.

We see this richness of stories, people, and places as an essential source for our concept to bring the Innovation District Delft brand to life. The idea is to present these stories in various forms, making innovation tangible and accessible to everyone who visits or uses the district. Innovation then becomes not just an abstract concept, but a concrete experience that inspires, connects, and invites people to participate in the ongoing progress happening here every day. In this way, Innovation District Delft evolves into a place where innovation not only happens—but is truly experienced.

Room for Innovation

Not every place in the district is suitable for storytelling. Some locations primarily serve functional purposes, such as providing clear wayfinding or supporting the daily flow of people. Other places, however, offer more opportunity for storytelling, encouraging interaction, or even co-creation of new ideas. That’s why we’ve embraced the concept of "Room for Innovation"—assessing each location for the appropriate and desirable level of innovation and experience.

The proposal is to create strategic points within the district where stories and innovations take center stage, inviting visitors to discover, learn, and participate. In other locations, more subtle forms of placemaking may be appropriate, where the innovative character of the district is felt in a more implicit way. This layered approach ensures that every part of the Innovation District Delft contributes in its own unique way to the overarching narrative of innovation and progress.

Potential Public Space Interventions

Aligned with this strategy and the visual identity developed by Verve, we have outlined several potential interventions to make innovation tangible within the district. For example, Innovation Talks bring the stories of entrepreneurs, researchers, and students into the public space, allowing visitors to connect directly with the people and ideas that define the district. Innovation Zones provide space for interaction and co-creation—places where users are invited to collaborate, experiment, and discover new solutions. Meanwhile, the Innovation Pulse offers subtle yet recognizable navigation through the area: light installations at strategic points not only guide the way but also enhance the district's innovative appearance.

With this concept, we position Innovation District Delft as a place where innovation is not only happening but also visible, tangible, and experiential for everyone who enters. The stories of the people and organizations in the district form the common thread that connects the area and gives it deeper meaning. Our proposal enables the creation of an environment that invites meeting, collaboration, and inspiration—where innovation, both literally and figuratively, is given space to thrive.