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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)