Laboratory Design
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Laboratory Furniture > Lab Design • Lab Tops • Lab Hoods • Lab Equipment
Today's modern laboratory requires sharing of resources, flexible use
of space, and the ability to adapt to changing needs. A well-planned
and designed lab has taken all of these considerations, as well as
health and safety, into account.
Laboratories are often used for more than one purpose by a variety of scientists who benefit from one other's knowledge. Labs designed with open spaces that allow scientists access to one another foster the sharing of resources.
A flexible use of space is also key to the successful lab. The needs
of labs are changing all the time, and to this end casework should be
mobile and able to be altered to fit those changing needs. Mobile
carts and storage shelves are also key to meeting changing needs.
Engineering systems — supply and exhaust air, water, electricity,
voice/date, vacuum systems — should also be installed with
flexibility and variety of use in mind.
Wet labs will need sinks, fume hoods, chemical resistant countertops, and a way to pump in outside air, while dry labs, which are very computer intensive, will have requirements for electrical and data wiring. Whether the lab is wet or dry, the furniture design should be chosen with computer use in mind.
Safety is paramount to any lab and should be an important part of lab
planning and design. Fume hoods must meet standards and must be
properly placed and installed. Ventilation, flooring, and countertop
surfaces must also be appropriate, based upon what the lab is being
used for.
Finally, if security is an issue, then controlling access to the lab should also be considered during the planning and design phases.
Lab Design Resources
- Stanford University - Laboratory Design Guide - planning and designing laboratories.
- Laboratory Design Magazine - monthly magazine from the editors of R&D Magazine.
- WBDG - Trends in Lab Design - emerging laboratory design models, focused on lab environments.
- PKAL - Laboratories - Project Kaleidoscope articles about undergraduate science labs.