Challenges in Labs of the Future: Planning and HVAC

J. Patrick Carpenter, and John D. Neilson, AIA, Kling Lindquist

Abstract:

There are a number of technology and cultural trends that could impact the design issues and options for Laboratory design in the next decade. First, increased awareness of and sensitivity to worker health and safety will likely change attitudes about both lab layouts and room contamination control - how the performance and effectiveness of fume hoods and other containment devices can be optimized, monitored and maintained. Second, research that focuses on smaller and more potent scales of materials may require different room layouts that address the use of robotics as well as address the need for increased criticality of environmental control . Third, some aspects of laboratory science will likely continue to evolve away from the real world of actual chemical manipulation and synthesis. There will be greater use of computer models to simulate "chemistry" and eliminate hazards and "fine-tune" development without "physical materials". Finally, societal concerns with sustainability issues will heighten concerns for energy accountability at the user level, increase emphasis on material selection and may evolve into attitudes of emissions accountability in laboratory buildings.

These collective trends pose potential challenges to how current lab planning and HVAC concepts, equipment and systems will deal with labs that have more equipment, less people and even less or different types of protective environments beyond today's fume hoods. This presentation will attempt to answer some of the questions about what to expect in the new labs and scientific trends of the next decade and beyond.

Biography:

Not available at this time.