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Research Laboratory

by Daniel Watch and Deepa Tolat

Perkins + Will

Last updated: 05-26-2010

Within This Page

• Overview

• Building Attributes

• Emerging ssues

• !elevant "odes and #tandards

• $a%or !esources

OVERVIEW

!esearch &aboratories are workplaces 'or the conduct o' scienti(c research) This

WBD* Building Type page will summarie the key architectural, engineering,

operational, sa'ety, and sustainability considerations 'or the design o' !esearch

&aboratories)

 The authors recognie that in the -.st century clients are pushing pro%ect design

teams to create research laboratories that are responsive to current and 'uture

needs, that encourage interaction among scientists 'rom various disciplines, that

help recruit and retain /uali(ed scientists, and that 'acilitates partnerships anddevelopment) As such, a separate WBD* !esource Page on Trends in &aboratory

Design has been developed to elaborate on this emerging model o' laboratory

design)

BA"0 TO TOP

BUILDING ATTRIBUTES

&abs designed with overhead connects and disconnects allow 'or 1e2ibility and 'ast

hook up o' e/uipment)

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A. Architectural Cosi!eratios

Over the past 34 years, architects, engineers, 'acility managers, and researchers

have re(ned the design o' typical wet and dry labs to a very high level) The

'ollowing identi(es the best solutions in designing a typical lab)

Lab Planning Module

 The laboratory module is the key unit in any lab 'acility) When designed correctly, a

lab module will 'ully coordinate all the architectural and engineering systems) A

well5designed modular plan will provide the 'ollowing bene(ts6

• Flexibility 7The lab module, as 8onas #alk e2plained, should 9encourage

change9 within the building) !esearch is changing all the time, and buildings

must allow 'or reasonable change) $any private research companies make

physical changes to an average o' -:; o' their labs each year) $ost

academic institutions annually change the layout o' : to .4; o' their labs)

#ee also WBD* Productive7Design 'or the "hanging Workplace)

• Expansion7The use o' lab planning modules allows the building to adapt

easily to needed e2pansions or contractions without sacri(cing 'acility

'unctionality)

A common laboratory module has a width o' appro2imately .4 't) < in) but will vary

in depth 'rom -4534 't) The depth is based on the sie necessary 'or the lab and

the cost5e=ectiveness o' the structural system) The .4 't) < in) dimension is based

on two rows o' casework and e/uipment >each row - 't) < in) deep? on each wall, a :

't) aisle, and < in) 'or the wall thickness that separates one lab 'rom another) The :

't) aisle width should be considered a minimum because o' the re/uirements o'

the Americans with Disabilities Act >ADA?)

Two-Directional Lab Module7Another level o' 1e2ibility can be achieved by

designing a lab module that works in both directions) This allows the casework to be

organied in either direction) This concept is more 1e2ible than the basic lab module

concept but may re/uire more space) The use o' a two5directional grid is bene(cial

to accommodate di=erent lengths o' run 'or casework) The casework may have to

be moved to create a di=erent type or sie o' workstation)

Tree-Di!ensional Lab Module7The three5dimensional lab module planning

concept combines the basic lab module or a two5directional lab module with any lab

corridor arrangement 'or each 1oor o' a building) This means that a three5

dimensional lab module can have a single5corridor arrangement on one 1oor, a two5

corridor layout on another, and so on) To create a three5dimensional lab module6

• A basic or two5directional lab module must be de(ned)

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• All vertical risers must be 'ully coordinated) >@ertical risers include (re stairs,

elevators, restrooms, and sha'ts 'or utilities)?

•  The mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems must be coordinated in the

ceiling to work with the multiple corridor arrangements)

Lab Planning Concepts

 The relationship o' the labs, oces, and corridor will have a signi(cant impact on

the image and operations o' the building) #ee also WBD* unctional7Account 'or

#patial Ceeds)

• Do the end users want a view 'rom their labs to the e2terior, or will the labs

be located on the interior, with wall space used 'or casework and e/uipment

• #ome researchers do not want or cannot have natural light in their research

spaces) #pecial instruments and e/uipment, such as nuclear magnetic

resonance >C$!? apparatus, electron microscopes, and lasers cannot 'unctionproperly in natural light) Catural daylight is not desired in vivarium

'acilities or in some support spaces, so these are located in the interior o' the

building)

• oning the building between lab and non5lab spaces will reduce costs) &abs

re/uire .44; outside air while non5lab spaces can be designed with re5

circulated air, like an oce building)

• Ad%acencies with corridors can be organied with a single, two corridor

>racetrack?, or a three corridor scheme) There are number o' variations to

organie each type) llustrated below are three ways to organie a singlecorridor scheme6

#ingle corridor lab design with labs and oce ad%acent to each other

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#ingle corridor lab design with oces clustered together at the end and in the

middle

#ingle corridor lab design with oce clusters accessing main labs directly

• Open labs vs) closed labs) An increasing number o' research institutions are

creating 9open9 labs to support team5based work) The open lab concept is

signi(cantly di=erent 'rom that o' the 9closed9 lab o' the past, which was

based on accommodating the individual principle investigator) n open labs,

researchers share not only the space itsel' but also e/uipment, bench space,

and support sta=) The open lab 'ormat 'acilitates communication between

scientists and makes the lab more easily adaptable 'or 'uture needs) A widevariety o' labs7'rom wet biology and chemistry labs, to engineering labs, to

dry computer science 'acilities7are now being designed as open labs)

Flexibility 

n todayFs lab, the ability to e2pand, recon(gure, and permit multiple uses has

become a key concern) The 'ollowing should be considered to achieve this6

le2ible &ab nteriors

• E/uipment ones7These should be created in the initial design to

accommodate e/uipment, (2ed, or movable casework at a later date)

• *eneric labs

• $obile casework7This can be comprised o' mobile tables and mobile base

cabinets) t allows researchers to con(gure and (t out the lab based on their

needs as opposed to ad%usting to pre5determined (2ed casework)

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$obile casework >le't? and mobile base cabinet >right?

• le2ible partitions7These can be taken down and put back up in another

location, allowing lab spaces to be con(gured in a variety o' sies)

• Overhead service carriers7These are hung 'rom the ceiling) They can have

utilities like piping, electric, data, light (2tures, and snorkel e2hausts) They

a=ord ma2imum 1e2ibility as services are li'ted o= the 1oor, allowing 'ree

1oor space to be con(gured as needed)

Flexible En"ineerin" #yste!s

• &abs should have easy connectsGdisconnects at walls and ceilings to allow 'or

'ast and a=ordable hook up o' e/uipment) #ee also WBD* Productive7

ntegrate Technological Tools)

•  The Engineering systems should be designed such that 'ume hoods can be

added or removed)

• #pace should be allowed in the utility corridors, ceilings, and vertical chases

'or 'uture H@A", plumbing, and electric needs)

Building Systems Distribution Concepts

$nterstitial #pace

An interstitial space is a separate 1oor located above each lab 1oor) All services and

utilities are located here where they drop down to service the lab below) This

system has a high initial cost but it allows the building to accommodate change

very easily without interrupting the labs)

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"onventional design vs) interstitial design

#er%ice &orridor 

&ab spaces ad%oin a centrally located corridor where all utility services are located)

$aintenance personnel are a=orded constant access to main ducts, shuto= valves,

and electric panel bo2es without having to enter the lab) This service corridor canbe doubled up as an e/uipmentGutility corridor where common lab e/uipment like

autoclaves, 'reeer rooms, etc) can be located)

B. E"ieeri" Cosi!eratios

 Typically, more than :4; o' the construction cost o' a laboratory building is

attributed to engineering systems) Hence, the close coordination o' these ensures a

1e2ible and success'ully operating lab 'acility) The 'ollowing engineering issues are

discussed here6 structural systems, mechanical systems, electrical systems, and

piping systems) #ee also WBD* unctional7Ensure Appropriate ProductG#ystems

ntegration)

Structural Systems

Once the basic lab module is determined, the structural grid should be evaluated) n

most cases, the structural grid e/uals - basic lab modules) ' the typical module is

.4 't) < in) 2 34 't), the structural grid would be -. 't) 2 34 't) A good rule o' thumb is

to add the two dimensions o' the structural gridI i' the sum e/uals a number in the

low :4Fs, then the structural grid would be ecient and cost5e=ective)

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 Typical lab structural grid

0ey design issues to consider in evaluating a structural system include6

• raming depth and e=ect on 1oor5to51oor heightI

• Ability to coordinate 'raming with lab modulesI

• Ability to create penetrations 'or lab services in the initial design as well as

over the li'e o' the buildingI

• Potential 'or vertical or horiontal e2pansionI

• @ibration criteriaI and

• "ost)

Mechanical Systems

 The location o' main vertical supplyGe2haust sha'ts as well as horiontal ductwork is

very crucial in designing a 1e2ible lab) 0ey issues to consider include6 eciency and

1e2ibility, modular design,initial costs, long5term operational costs, building height

and massing, and design image)

 The various design options 'or the mechanical systems are illustrated below6

#ha'ts at the end o' the building

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#ha'ts in the middle o' the building

E2haust at end and supply in the middle

$ultiple internal sha'ts

#ha'ts on the e2terior

#ee also WBD*High Per'ormance H@A")

Electrical Systems

 Three types o' power are generally used 'or most laboratory pro%ects6

• Cormal power circuits are connected to the utility supply only, without any

backup system) &oads that are typically on normal power include some H@A"

e/uipment, general lighting, and most lab e/uipment)

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• Emergency power is created with generators that will back up e/uipment

such as re'rigerators, 'reeers, 'ume hoods, biological sa'ety cabinets,

emergency lighting, e2haust 'ans, animal 'acilities, and environmental rooms)

E2amples o' sa'e and ecient emergency power e/uipment

include distributed energy resources >DE!?, microturbines, and 'uel cells)

• An uninterruptible power supply >JP#? is used 'or data recording, certain

computers, microprocessor5controlled e/uipment, and possibly the vivarium

area) The JP# can be either a central unit or a portable system, such

as distributed energy resources >DE!?, microturbines,'uel cells, and building

integrated photovoltaics >BP@?)

• #ee also WBD* Productive7Assure !eliable #ystems and #paces)

 The 'ollowing should be considered6

• &oad estimation

• #ite distribution

• Power /uality

• $anagement o' electrical cable traysGpanel bo2es

• &ighting design

o Jser e2pectations

o llumination levels

o Jni'ormity

o &ighting distribution7indirect, direct, combination

o &uminaire location and orientation7lighting parallel to casework and

lighting perpendicular to casework

•  Telephone and data systems

Piping Systems

 There are several key design goals to strive 'or in designing laboratory pipingsystems6

• Provide a 1e2ible design that allows 'or easy renovation and modi(cations)

• Provide appropriate plumbing systems 'or each laboratory based on the lab

programming)

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• Provide systems that minimie energy usage)

• Provide e/uipment arrangements that minimie downtime in the event o' a

'ailure)

• &ocate shuto= valves where they are accessible and easily understood)

• Accomplish all o' the preceding goals within the construction budget)

C. O#eratios a! $aiteace

Cost Saings

 The 'ollowing cost saving items can be considered without compromising /uality

and 1e2ibility6

• #eparate lab and non5lab ones)

•  Try to design with standard building components instead o' customiedcomponents) #ee also WBD* unctional7Ensure Appropriate

ProductG#ystems ntegration)

• denti'y at least three manu'acturers o' each material or piece o' e/uipment

speci(ed to ensure competitive bidding 'or the work)

• &ocate 'ume hoods on upper 1oors to minimie ductwork and the cost o'

moving air through the building)

• Evaluate whether process piping should be handled centrally or locally) n

many cases it is more cost5e=ective to locate gases, in cylinders, at thesource in the lab instead o' centrally)

• "reate e/uipment ones to minimie the amount o' casework necessary in

the initial construction)

• Provide space 'or e/uipment >e)g), ice machine? that also can be shared with

other labs in the entry alcove to the lab) #hared amenities can be more

ecient and cost5e=ective)

• "onsider designating instrument rooms as cross5corridors, saving space as

well as encouraging researchers to share e/uipment)

• Design easy5to5maintain, energy5ecient building systems) E2pose

mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems 'or easy maintenance access

'rom the lab)

• &ocate all mechanical e/uipment centrally, either on a lower level o' the

building or on the penthouse level)

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• #tack vertical elements above each other without re/uiring trans'ers 'rom

1oor to 1oor) #uch elements include columns, stairs, mechanical closets, and

restrooms)

D. Lab a! %ersoel Sa&ety a! Security

Protecting human health and li'e is paramount, and sa'ety must always be the (rst

concern in laboratory building design) #ecurity7protecting a 'acility 'rom

unauthoried access7is also o' critical importance) Today, research 'acility

designers must work within the dense regulatory environment in order to create

sa'e and productive lab spaces) The WBD* !esource Page on#ecurity and #a'ety in

&aboratories addresses all these related concerns, including6

• &aboratory classi(cations6 dependent on the amount and type o' chemicals in

the labI

• "ontainment devices6 'ume hoods and bio5sa'ety cabinetsI

• &evels o' bio5sa'ety containment as a design principleI

• !adiation sa'etyI

• Employee sa'ety6 showers, eyewashes, other protective measuresI and

• Emergency power)

#ee also WBD* #a'e Branch, ThreatG@ulnerability Assessments and !isk

Analysis, Balancing #ecurityG#a'ety and #ustainability Ob%ectives, Air

Decontamination, and Electrical #a'ety)

E. Sustaiability Cosi!eratios

 The typical laboratory uses 'ar more energy and water per s/uare 'oot than the

typical oce building due to intensive ventilation re/uirements and

other health and sa'ety concerns) There'ore, designers should strive to

create sustainable, high per'ormance, and low5energy laboratories that will6

• $inimie overall environmental impactsI

• Protect occupant sa'etyI and

• Optimie whole building eciency on a li'e5cycle basis)

or more speci(c guidance, see WBD* #ustainable &aboratory DesignI EPA and

DOEFs&aboratories 'or the -.st "entury >&abs-.?, a voluntary program dedicated to

improving the environmental per'ormance o' J)#) laboratoriesI WBD* #ustainable

Branch and Balancing #ecurityG#a'ety and #ustainability Ob%ectives)

'. Three Laboratory Sectors

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 There are three research laboratory sectors) They are academic laboratories,

government laboratories, and private sector laboratories)

• Academic labs are primarily teaching 'acilities but also include some research

labs that engage in public interest or pro(t generating research)

• *overnment labs include those run by 'ederal agencies and those operated

by state government do research in the public interest)

• Design o' labs 'or the private sector, run by corporations, is usually driven by

the need to enhance the research operationFs pro(t making potential)

G. E(a)#le Desi" a! Costructio Criteria

or *#A, the unit costs 'or this building type are based on the construction /uality

and design 'eatures in the 'ollowing table >PD 3:3 0B, -- pgs?) This in'ormation is

based on *#AFs benchmark interpretation and could be di=erent 'or other owners)