Cocina (figurative use)

I was wondering how I could translate the figurative term "cocina". It is used in the description of a creative department of a company. "Esta área es la cocina de nuestras ideas". Or, as described in another phrase of the text: "Aquí cocinamos nuestras ideas".

Do you know if "kitchen" would be understood if used figuratively here? For instance, would a native speaker of English understand "This is the 'kitchen' of/the place where we 'cook' our ideas"?

Any other suggestions or ideas of possible equivalents in English? I could only think of "lab", but I'd like to know your opinion :confused:

Thanks in advance!!

Hi there!! I had to deliver my translation, and solved it as follows: "Let us show you the 'backstage' of our ideas".

Anyway, I would like to keep on discussing other options...