Where we test the future
Where knowledge turns into solutions.
About us in brief
InnoK's knowledge and methodology laboratory
Living Lab is one of the three laboratories of the InnoK Knowledge Management Institute. While Urban Lab develops urban systems and Civic Lab engages residents in decision-making, Living Lab explores the question: how does research become usable knowledge — and knowledge become a solution tested in a real-world environment.
Things are not decided at the desk. The essence of the "living lab" approach is that we test ideas in a real-world environment, together with users — from clarifying concepts through assessing the situation to practical recommendations. And we share the results in a freely accessible Knowledge Base.
What we work on
Knowledge, method, practice
Three interlocking pillars: the knowledge we gather and share; the method with which we test the future; and the projects where all of this is put to the test in a real-world environment.
Knowledge Base
Research summaries, conceptual maps and practical recommendations — freely readable. The main pillar of Living Lab.
Browse →Methodology
The "living lab" approach: innovation tested in a real-world environment, together with users — not in theory, but in practice.
Learn more →Projects
Pilot projects where knowledge and method are put to the test in the real world. The first projects will be presented soon.
Take a look →Knowledge Base
Two series worth reading
The Living Lab Knowledge Base organizes knowledge into edited article series — with numbered chapters, reading times and key takeaways, so that research becomes genuinely usable.
01 · Series
Compact City
An 18-part series on the concepts of the compact, liveable city, the diagnosis of the 18th district and concrete recommendations — in three blocks: concepts, diagnosis, recommendation.
Author: based on the thesis of Barber Tamás
To the series →02 · Series
Social Innovation
Ten articles on how social innovations are born and spread — what turns a good idea into a genuinely working, community-scale solution.
From the classical foundations to today’s approaches
To the series →Methodology
How we test the future
The "living lab" is not a theory but a way of working: we develop and measure ideas in a real-world environment, together with users. In five recurring steps.
Challenge exploration
We understand the problem, the environment and the needs of the stakeholders.
Co-development
Together with the stakeholders, we shape the possible solutions.
Prototype & experiment
We turn the chosen solution into a testable form and try it out in a real-world environment.
Measurement & evaluation
Using data and user experience, we examine what works and what does not.
Learning & knowledge sharing
We build the lessons into the next iteration, document them and share them.
Would you like to work with us?
We work for local governments, institutions, researchers and civil society organisations — in research, methodological support and solutions tested in a real-world environment.