Citation: Soomro, S.A.; Casakin, H.; Georgiev, G.V. A Systematic Review on FabLab Environments and Creativity: Implications for Design. Buildings 2022, 12, 804. https:// doi.org/10.3390/buildings12060804 Academic Editor: David J. Edwards Received: 29 April 2022 Accepted: 7 June 2022 Published: 10 June 2022 Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affil- iations. Copyright: © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). buildings Review A Systematic Review on FabLab Environments and Creativity: Implications for Design Sohail Ahmed Soomro 1,2 , Hernan Casakin 3 and Georgi V. Georgiev 1, * 1 Centre for Ubiquitous Computing, University of Oulu, 90570 Oulu, Finland; sohail.soomro@oulu.fi 2 Department of Electrical Engineering, Sukkur IBA University, Sukkur 65200, Pakistan 3 School of Architecture, Ariel University, Ariel 44837, Israel; casakin@ariel.ac.il * Correspondence: georgi.georgiev@oulu.fi Abstract: Fabrication laboratories (FabLabs) and makerspaces are used to transform ideas into tan- gible products. Used in a design–learning context, they can enhance cognitive and creative skills. Creativity is the pivotal ability to produce innovative outcomes in makerspaces, and several studies have attempted to understand the role of makerspaces and creativity in specific fields. However, a comprehensive study offering a holistic view of the contributions of the makerspaces as built envi- ronments that foster creativity is lacking. Therefore, we conducted a systematic literature review on FabLabs, makerspaces, and creativity to address this research gap. While the review was performed using five major databases, only peer reviewed journal articles were considered. The findings revealed that makerspaces help to develop person, product, physical, and social environments, as well as process aspects of creativity. Moreover, makerspaces induce problem solving, collaborative, and com- munication skills; they also offer appealing environments and technologies for developing creative solutions to real-life problems. We identified and analysed five major themes dealing with techni- cal skills, technological and environmental elements, STEM learning, and skill development, and elaborated upon their importance for enhancing creativity in FabLab and makerspace environments. Keywords: collaborative learning environment; creative physical environment; creative process; creative skills; creative social environment; creativity; design; fabrication laboratories; makerspace; technology 1. Introduction A makerspace is an overreaching concept understood as “a creative, uniquely adapt- able learning environment with tools and materials, which can be physical and/or virtual, where students have an opportunity to explore, design, play, tinker, collaborate, inquire, ex- periment, solve problems and invent” [1]. Makerspaces are built environments utilized for interdisciplinary applications and research, helping users to coordinate between different disciplines to develop complex engineering designs [2]. Fabrication laboratories (FabLabs) are similar to or are a type of makerspace. However, in FabLabs stronger emphasis is laid on the use of an often-predefined equipment (e.g., 3D printers, laser cutters, or electronic workbenches) and on the scope of related training (see [3]). The technology used in mak- erspaces and FabLabs are referred to as digital fabrication or digital manufacturing [4]. Such technology enables computer-supported additive and subtractive manufacturing, design and rapid prototyping, and the easy materialization of highly customized products. Digital fabrication technology is considered to be an indispensable part of makerspaces and FabLabs [5], invention studios [6], personal fabrication setups [7,8], design labs, and hackerspaces. Schmidt [9] coined “open creative labs” as an umbrella term referring to all kinds of makerspaces mentioned in the literature. Makerspaces are used in a variety of disciplines, and the literature has paid a good amount of attention to its wide applica- tions. Makerspaces were found to be highly impactful in different domains. The nature of this influence was examined in economy [10], entrepreneurship [11], public libraries [12], Buildings 2022, 12, 804. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12060804 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/buildings