ABSTRACT: This keynote will address how educational institutions can become active members of society giving back both socially and economically to a community. Through design, strategic planning, and research, Henning Larsen has contributed to the built environment with learning spaces that increase students’ learning abilities and have become drivers of economic growth and innovation. Viggo will present a series of case studies that demonstrate that the relationship between educational institutions and their context is key to designing successful learning spaces. Examples include University of Southern Denmark, Queensland University of Technology, Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, and University of Cincinnati Carl H. Lindner College of Business.