Higher Education Space Development (HESD):
Paths of Higher Education Space Development

Conference on 23 and 24 June 2026 in Lucerne 


Location

University of Teacher Education (UTE) Lucerne, Sentimatt, Auditorium


Theme

Higher Education Space Development Between Convention and Risk

Increasingly diverse higher education teaching requires appropriate teaching and learning spaces, which are often still lacking. The HESD project (Higher Education Space Development – analysing, developing and evaluating higher education spaces) investigates how higher education spaces can be analysed, further developed and reimagined between convention and innovation.

How can the development of teaching and learning spaces in higher education succeed?

This conference addresses the question of how the development of teaching and learning spaces in higher education can be systematically analysed and which success factors can be formulated for the transformation of higher education spaces. Results from the project, from project partners and additional expertise from the field will be presented with the aim of highlighting approaches to qualified spatially supported higher education teaching, bringing stakeholders into dialogue and contributing to the creation of new, future-oriented pathways.


Programme

Tuesday, 23 June 2026

12.30

Check-in & Coffee

Check-in & Coffee

13.30

Welcome – Opening Remarks
Dr. Cornelia Dinsleder & Ulrich Kirchgässner, Conference Chair
Prof. Dr. Kathrin Krammer, Rector UTE Lucerne

Welcome – Opening Remarks
Dr. Cornelia Dinsleder & Ulrich Kirchgässner, Conference Chair
Prof. Dr. Kathrin Krammer, Rector UTE Lucerne

13.45   

Dialogic Introduction
Opportunities between convention and risk
Prof. Dr. Jutta Mägdefrau, University of Passau
Alessandro Schneider, UTE Lucerne
Prof. Dr. Alexandra den Heijer, TU Delft
Dr. Cornelia Dinsleder & Ulrich Kirchgässner, UTE Lucerne

Dialogic Introduction
Opportunities between convention and risk
Prof. Dr. Jutta Mägdefrau, University of Passau
Alessandro Schneider, UTE Lucerne
Prof. Dr. Alexandra den Heijer, TU Delft
Dr. Cornelia Dinsleder & Ulrich Kirchgässner, UTE Lucerne

14.45

HESD Project Overview
HESD Team

HESD Project Overview
HESD Team

15.00

Debating ‘Special Higher Education Spaces’
ETH PBLabs: Transforming Learning Experiences Through Spaces
Dr. Florian Rittiner, ETH Zurich

Didactic Innovation Labs: Future Classroom
Dr. Verena Köstler & Dr. Sabrina Kufner, University of Passau

Living Lab of Evidence-based Model Spaces for Hybrid and Student-centred Teaching/Learning Formats
Prof. Dr. Katja Ninnemann, HTW Berlin

Debating ‘Special Higher Education Spaces’
ETH PBLabs: Transforming Learning Experiences Through Spaces
Dr. Florian Rittiner, ETH Zurich

Didactic Innovation Labs: Future Classroom
Dr. Verena Köstler & Dr. Sabrina Kufner, University of Passau

Living Lab of Evidence-based Model Spaces for Hybrid and Student-centred Teaching/Learning Formats
Prof. Dr. Katja Ninnemann, HTW Berlin

16.00

Results and Success Factors of the HESD Analysis
Dr. Cornelia Dinsleder, Ulrich Kirchgässner & Eliya Pagelli, UTE Lucerne

Results and Success Factors of the HESD Analysis
Dr. Cornelia Dinsleder, Ulrich Kirchgässner & Eliya Pagelli, UTE Lucerne

16.25

Coffee Break

Coffee Break

16.45

Workshops
Building culture Education
Dr. Eveline Althaus, Archijeunes, Basel

Reflective Photography in Learning Space Analysis
Joia Handl, UTE Heidelberg

EduSpaces – Modular Toolkit for Teaching/Learning Infrastructure
Balthasar Eugster & Larissa Rossbacher, University of Zurich

Pedagogical Spatial Competence – Impulses for Higher Education
Michelle Dumont, UTE Freiburg/Breisgau

Workshops
Building culture Education
Dr. Eveline Althaus, Archijeunes, Basel

Reflective Photography in Learning Space Analysis
Joia Handl, UTE Heidelberg

EduSpaces – Modular Toolkit for Teaching/Learning Infrastructure
Balthasar Eugster & Larissa Rossbacher, University of Zurich

Pedagogical Spatial Competence – Impulses for Higher Education
Michelle Dumont, UTE Freiburg/Breisgau

17.30

Broadening Horizons: Poster Sessions and more

Broadening Horizons: Poster Sessions and more

19.00

Evening Programme: Barbecue & Music

Evening Programme: Barbecue & Music

Wednesday, 24 June 2026

09.00

International Perspectives on Higher Education Spaces Development (English)
Prof. Lindy Osborne Burton, Charles Darwin University
Prof. Dr. Katja Ninnemann, HTW Berlin
Moderation: Prof. Dr. Martin Viehhauser, University of Fribourg

International Perspectives on Higher Education Spaces Development (English)
Prof. Lindy Osborne Burton, Charles Darwin University
Prof. Dr. Katja Ninnemann, HTW Berlin
Moderation: Prof. Dr. Martin Viehhauser, University of Fribourg

10.15

Coffee Break

Coffee Break

10.45

Workshops
Learning Deck / The Open Teaching and Learning Area of UTE Lucerne
Prof. Dr. Peter Tremp / Dr. Cornelia Dinsleder, Roland Künzle & Eliya Pagelli, UTE Lucerne

Space Development at UTE Schaffhausen: Teaching, Learning and Workspaces in Transition
Prof. Dr. Samuel Krattenmacher, UTE Schaffhausen

Collaborative Learning Lab
Thomas Staub, UTE Zurich

Workshops
Learning Deck / The Open Teaching and Learning Area of UTE Lucerne
Prof. Dr. Peter Tremp / Dr. Cornelia Dinsleder, Roland Künzle & Eliya Pagelli, UTE Lucerne

Space Development at UTE Schaffhausen: Teaching, Learning and Workspaces in Transition
Prof. Dr. Samuel Krattenmacher, UTE Schaffhausen

Collaborative Learning Lab
Thomas Staub, UTE Zurich

12.00

Lunch

Lunch

13.00

Networking and Personal Questions
Interim Review – Further Development – Ideas
Moderation: Dr. Petra Moog, Sophia::Akademie Düsseldorf

Networking and Personal Questions
Interim Review – Further Development – Ideas
Moderation: Dr. Petra Moog, Sophia::Akademie Düsseldorf

14.00 

International Perspectives
EDENLAB & EDENSPACES (online)
Prof. Beate Weyland, University of Bozen

The Importance of Collaboration for the Development of Study and Learning Spaces (English)
Mie Guldbæk Brøns & Lars Robert Kruse, DTU Copenhagen

Student voice (English)
Prof. Lindy Osborne Burton, Charles Darwin University

International Perspectives
EDENLAB & EDENSPACES (online)
Prof. Beate Weyland, University of Bozen

The Importance of Collaboration for the Development of Study and Learning Spaces (English)
Mie Guldbæk Brøns & Lars Robert Kruse, DTU Copenhagen

Student voice (English)
Prof. Lindy Osborne Burton, Charles Darwin University

15.00

Campus of the Future (English)
Prof. Dr. Alexandra den Heijer, TU Delft
Moderation: Prof. Dr. Thorsten Erl, University of Siegen

Campus of the Future (English)
Prof. Dr. Alexandra den Heijer, TU Delft
Moderation: Prof. Dr. Thorsten Erl, University of Siegen

16.00

Conclusion & Closing Remarks
Conference Observation & Synthesis
Prof. Dr. Annette Tettenborn, UTE Lucerne
Prof. Dr. Martin Viehhauser, University of Fribourg

Conclusion & Closing Remarks
Conference Observation & Synthesis
Prof. Dr. Annette Tettenborn, UTE Lucerne
Prof. Dr. Martin Viehhauser, University of Fribourg


Keynotes

Professor Lindy Osborne Burton (PhD, SFHEA, AFHEA [Indigenous], FRAIA) is the Head of Architecture at Charles Darwin University, in Australia's Northern Territory. Drawing on 18 years of architectural practice, her research examines spatial-pedagogical relationships in higher education, and participatory design processes supporting institutional transformation. She leads interdisciplinary research on indoor environmental quality, integrating inclusive, biophilic, salutogenic, and eudaemonic architectural design principles, with climate-responsive building performance analysis.

Prof. Dr. Katja Ninnemann is Professor of Digitalisation and Workspace Management at HTW Berlin. As an expert in evidence-based design practices and innovation processes for hybrid learning and working environments, she is active in research, teaching and practice.

Alexandra den Heijer is professor of Public Real Estate at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment. Her chair of Public Real Estate focuses on the challenges of managing public real estate portfolios. She has a background in architecture and management, is specialized in university campuses and explores problems and solutions in multi-disciplinary decision-making processes. She is internationally renowned for her books and other publications about managing today’s campus and planning the campus of the future.


Conference Observers

Prof. Dr. Annette Tettenborn, retired university professor and educational researcher, headed the Institute for Professional and Classroom Research at the Lucerne University of Teacher Education for 16 years. Her research focused primarily on teacher education, teaching, professionalization, and university development. As an established expert in educational research and the development of universities and teaching professions, she and Martin Viehhauser will complement our conference with joint observations and discussions.

Dr. Martin Viehhauser is a titular professor at the University of Fribourg (Switzerland) and a lecturer at the PH FHNW. He holds a Ph.D. in educational science and teaches prospective elementary school teachers about the psychological foundations of learning, the pedagogical roles of schools, and the historical development of schools and education. His research interests include issues related to learning cultures, mindfulness in schools, and school space design.


Costs

Regular Fee:

Contributors and Partners:

Students:

CHF 160.00                                                            

CHF   80.00

CHF   50.00

CHF 160.00                                                            

CHF   80.00

CHF   50.00


Registration

Registration deadline: 29 May 2026


Organisation


spacer