Research with All Senses

Marbach Castle as a Learning and Research Lab

13 MICE-experts gathered at Marbach Castle to explore how to make conferences more vibrant – guided by nature, resonance, and new perspectives. This exclusive learning lab on the shores of Lake Constance offered the perfect setting: secluded, inspiring, and free from external distractions. A place where ideas flourish and connections grow.

Theory:

A research lab – or learning lab – is a special format in which participants from different organizations come together in a secluded location to collaboratively explore specific questions. To achieve truly innovative outcomes, certain framework conditions are essential: the venue must be far from the hustle and bustle of the city, nestled in a spacious park, and radiate a unique and inspiring atmosphere. The conference space should also be situated away from distractions typical of conventional hotels.
Direct access to nature and the option for self-catering without hotel staff ensure an undisturbed working environment. The ideal group size for such a research lab ranges between 10 and 18 participants. Within these conditions, participants can deeply engage with their topic – and create space for genuine innovation.

Initial Situation:

13 professionals from the MICE-sector set out to find a secluded retreat to explore how events in conference and meeting venues could be designed more vividly. This research and learning journey was accompanied by three impulse-givers from the fields of resonance pedagogy, music education, and wilderness education.

Challenge:

The key challenge was to find a location that not only felt inspiring but also offered true seclusion – away from everyday guests and embedded in expansive natural surroundings. Only in such an environment could participants work undisturbed and gain new insights.

Solution:

In the idyllic boathouse of Marbach Castle – surrounded by a picturesque natural park and far removed from daily routines – the researchers found ideal conditions for focused work. The setting fostered creative exploration and opened space for new ideas.
The crackling of the fire, the gentle lapping of Lake Constance’s waves, and the cheerful birdsong stimulated the senses and created an atmosphere of inspiration. This unique environment made it possible to dive deep into thought processes and develop new perspectives.

Best Practise:

With micelab:explorer II, Marbach Castle offered the perfect environment for creative exploration. Both architecturally and atmospherically, the conditions were ideal.
At the heart of the lab was the question: What fosters connection? A wide range of exercises – indoors and in nature – helped explore how mindset, conversational culture, spatial design, and procedural structure can either enable or hinder resonance.
Natural rhythms, sharpened senses, and addressing different learning types played a crucial role. Openness, time, and space for deep exploration proved to be fundamental, while preconceived notions and expected outcomes were revealed as true “resonance killers.”
The researchers discovered: It takes time and leisure to spark resonance – whether when lighting a fire or engaging in a meaningful customer conversation. And it is precisely this inner flame, this shared fire for a topic, that brings encounters to life.

Picture: Michael Gleich

Marbach Insights

Anything but ordinary – At Marbach Castle, INNOVATION is a top priority, both within our team and for you, our guests. Inspired by on-site experts, the Marbach Insights offer behind-the-scenes glimpses of how we can make your event even more VALUABLE.

Conclusion:

Marbach Castle once again proved to be an ideal place for deep learning and forward-thinking research. micelab:explorer II impressively demonstrated how resonance can emerge through nature, seclusion, and inspiring formats – both in thought and in human interaction.
For those seeking not just to organize conferences, but to transform them, Marbach Castle offers the perfect setting. It is more than a venue – it is a space of meaning, where connection grows and new paths unfold. Here, people don’t just meet. They ignite ideas.

Marbach Letter

Only valuable content. Top insights from our network of experts. Enthusiastic feedback from clients and participants. Innovative concepts for successful conferences.