The Third Space Today invited students to consider crucial questions: What do we gain or lose when our spaces of connection move online? And how can we create hybrid spaces that sustain curiosity, community, and a genuine sense of belonging?
In an increasingly digital world, designing spaces that foster real connection, community, and belonging has become a crucial focus. acclaimed creative executive and experience designer Josh Goldblum presented a thought-provoking talk titled “The Third Space Today.”
Building on two decades of pioneering work with Bluecadet and Futurespaces, Goldblum explored how the concept of “third places” — the informal gathering spaces first popularized by sociologist Ray Oldenburg — has evolved in the digital age. From museums to digital platforms and public spaces, the talk reflected on the critical shift from physical meeting points to online environments, and how designers and cultural leaders can navigate the transition thoughtfully.
As an Emmy-award winning entrepreneur working at the intersection of art, technology, and culture, Josh Goldblum has reimagined how audiences engage with culture, design, and information. He is the Founder and CEO of Bluecadet, a leading experience design agency, and of Artwrld, a digital-first platform for contemporary art. He also curates and hosts Futurespaces, a celebrated interview series on innovation in experience design.
Space Talks
This lecture is part of SPACE TALKS, curated by Rana Rmeily, co-founder of the exhibition design collective TheLoveTriangle and former associate partner at Atelier Brückner. Space Talks is a lecture series that explores scenography as a medium of dialogue—between bodies, environments, systems, and stories. Rooted in Rana’s vision of space as both platform and protagonist, the series brings together designers and thinkers who challenge, expand, and reframe the ways we experience and engage with our surroundings. From the architecture of fashion and the spatial power of sound, to sensory intelligence and the evolution of third spaces, each talk opens a distinct lens into scenographic thinking—embracing movement, materiality, technology, and emotion as tools for shaping meaningful, responsive environments.