Presenting the Co-Innovation Cosmos at the Senate of the Czech Parliament

On October 7, 2024 our founder Dr. Paul Blazek had the honor of delivering a keynote at the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic. His keynote, titled "Project Brotfabrik Vienna - Transforming the Site of Europe's Former Largest Bread Factory into a Sustainable Hub for Innovation and Creativity", took place during the international conference "Contemporary Architecture in a Historical Context - Management of the Historical Urban Landscape" as part of the Architecture Week Prague 2024.

The conference focused on the transformation of historic city landscapes, highlighting the integration of contemporary architecture into heritage environments. Experts, architects and urban planners explored how historic buildings can be converted for new purposes while respecting their cultural and architectural legacy.

A Journey Through 130 Years of Transformation

Paul Blazek’s keynote took the audience on a journey through the transformation of Vienna’s Anker Brotfabrik area. Once Europe’s largest bread factory, this industrial complex has evolved into a sustainable hub for innovation and creativity.

From Industrial Past to a Hub of the Future:

• The founders’ vision and the initial role of the bread factory.

• Location decisions and the industrial area’s strategic relevance.

• Challenges of development and rediscovering the abandoned structures.

• The transformation into a thriving center for co-innovation, arts and events, preserving the essence of the historic factory while creating a future-oriented urban space.

Today, the Co-Innovation Factory and various art, culture and event initiatives have turned the area into a dynamic, creative hotspot in Vienna - a model for how cities can breathe new life into historic industrial spaces.

The Rise of Innovation Ecosystems in Historical Spaces

Paul also took the opportunity to present new blueprints for innovation ecosystems and the necessary rethinking of physical spaces. By demonstrating the power of the Innovation Parcours, he showcased how structured innovation processes can drive collaboration, creativity and transformation in revitalized urban spaces.

His talk received intense attention from the audience, sparking discussions on how historic sites can be repurposed as innovation hubs, blending tradition with forward-thinking design and creating spaces that inspire future generations.

A Vision for the Future

As cities continue to evolve, the balance between preserving the past and embracing the future becomes increasingly crucial. The transformation of Brotfabrik Wien serves as an inspiring case study for urban development, proving that historic spaces can be reimagined as thriving centers of innovation and creativity.

The event at the Senate of the Czech Parliament marked an important milestone in the ongoing conversation about urban regeneration and the future of historical city landscapes. Through visionary projects like the Co-Innovation Cosmos, we can shape a new era of sustainable, community-driven innovation in urban environments.