Designing the Future: A New Era in Laboratory Buildings

Mark Kelly, Woods Bagot Pty, Ltd.

Last night, I had a vision: a research laboratory that looked like a stylish Qantas Club lounge, decorated with odd-shaped analytical ornaments and abuzz with the sound of researchers sharing ideas and inspiration. Boasting customized furniture and comfortable breakout areas, this laboratory consisted of sunlit work spaces, overnight accommodations, and was conveniently located in a lively central business district—not in the isolation of a sprawling university campus.

Governments, universities, and companies are beginning to understand that attracting great minds requires great facilities. Internationally, centres are being developed to stimulate research and commercial developments. Creating high-technology centres where people love to work leads to innovation, enhanced productivity, and commercial outcomes.

The most necessary change is laboratory infrastructure. Most laboratories today are cluttered with equipment that takes up significant bench space, leaving almost no room for scientists to work. While some researchers are applying make-do solutions, such as wider benches, split benches, and racking and stacking, there is an increasing need for larger laboratory modules and specially designed furniture to hold this equipment.

A greater emphasis on safe work environments is driving the need for dry space in addition to the primary laboratory space.

Laboratory neighbourhoods take the need for human interaction to another level and also address spatial issues. Traditionally, long bands of laboratories are designed on one side of a corridor, offices on the other side, and support space somewhere else. Laboratory neighbourhoods bring together all the technical resources that researchers use on a daily basis (including office equipment, such as computers, printers, and faxes), so there is no need to duplicate expensive laboratory support space and equipment.

The research laboratory will not be immune to issues and trends affecting the general workforce. For example, basic amenities such as natural light are now being factored into design briefs as the traditional, artificially lit laboratory has proven to be counterproductive for the simple fact that humans do not like to spend long hours in spaces without natural light. Technicians are likely to have two types of work spaces: laboratory space for analytical work and office space for report writing. Solutions that are safe and encourage interaction include: desks immediately adjacent to laboratories; workstations next to scientists offices; shared offices next to laboratories; and office clusters close to a laboratory but not immediately adjacent to it.

As the status of the research community improves with every scientific breakthrough, so will the laboratory's status.

Biography:

Mark Kelly's 20 years of international experience as an architect and designer has seen his work exhibited at the Royal Academy in London, the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh, the International Exhibition of the work of young architects at the University of Sydney and the "New Breed" exhibition that was traveled throughout the United Kingdom.

Mark also has extensive experience as a speaker over recent years: the Labs21 Conference in 2004, where he spoke on sustainable biotechnology and research facility design and the 2004 LABbuild Conference in Brisbane as a keynote speaker on future trends in laboratory design.

Mark was also design director for the National Stem Cell Research Facility and the National Neuroscience Facility Centre in Melbourne. Mark has a keen interest in graphics, photography, and illustration. As a member of the Royal Institute of Artists in Architecture, his artwork has been on show at the Royal Institute of British Architects in London.

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