Designing for the Science: How Lab Designers are Improving Communication with Scientists Through Education and Research

As lab designers, our main focus is to understand the needs of lab scientists, who are the end users of the spaces we design. To achieve this, we are constantly looking to improve our communication channels with scientists. At SMMA, we are taking steps to learn more about the scientific work being done in the spaces we design, as well as participating in educational programs offered by science organizations like I2SL, My Green Lab, NEBSA, Lab Design Conference, Lab Manager, and Harvard School of Public Health. These programs allow multiple stakeholders to share their expertise on specific topics related to lab design.

Learning about the science being conducted in labs provides several advantages for lab designers. It helps break the language barrier between architects and scientists, allowing for more effective communication and collaboration. This is crucial in modern lab design, where projects require designers to consider various factors and meet high environmental and safety standards while serving the needs of end users, cities, and institutions. By understanding the day-to-day challenges faced by scientists, we can design lab spaces with better flow, usability