Top 3 Factors for Successful Lab Design
Designing a laboratory space requires upfront work before an engineer ever touches a mouse or does a calculation.
1. People
2. Equipment
3. Space
The People
It might seem a little backward to think about the end-users first; however, laying out and designing a successful lab will 100% revolve around the people who make the lab run daily. You will often hear these people referred to as “stakeholders” because they are the people most dependent on the success of the project.
What information is valuable to the design team?
Ask the Owners, Lab Users, Lab Managers, and Facility Managers these questions:
What does success look like to each stakeholder?
Make an exhaustive list of all the equipment needed in the lab.
Define what procedures and actions will be taking place in your lab space.
Equipment
The second most significant factor in lab design is the equipment used. Like people, lab equipment comes with particular needs, like space, utilities, and safety considerations.
Here are some of the utility questions you should be asking during the design of your lab space:
How many air changes are required?
What are the climate and air cleanliness requirements?
Are there any heat gains that need to be considered?
Does the lab need emergency backup or redundant systems?
How much power do you need?
Working closely with your engineers during early design will be a significant factor in building a successful lab. Fume hoods and the HVAC system are often a central focus for all labs, and the hoods add extra safety and pressurization considerations that will affect the HVAC equipment and controls needed.
Space
Finally, it is critical to determine the total amount of space a lab will need to be compliant and successful. Space is not just a workbench area but also how traffic moves around the room, the ceiling height for specialized equipment, and storage to meet the safety requirements for hazardous chemicals. Therefore, knowing your equipment list is vital to having a successful lab designed and installed.
The other item to consider is fixed or modular design and the associated costs. Modular design allows a lab to change with the ever-changing scientific world by providing utility loops instead of direct lines, but also comes with a higher price tag than a fixed lab space. Again, knowing your budget, plan, and equipment will help your design team produce a functional and affordable space..
How to get started
This one is easy! Just reach out to C1S Group. We have vast experience working with clients who are starting from scratch. We would love to meet with you and your team to explore your lab needs and start you on a plan to reach your goals!