When you think of a research lab, you might conjure images of sterile equipment and white lab coats—and there is some truth to that picture. Designing research labs requires meticulous attention to the details of equipment planning, environmental health and safety (EH&S) and the processes that support science. While most labs are designed to achieve that basic functionality, a transformational lab environment prioritizes a science organization’s most valuable assets: its people.
Inspired by the user experience design approach pioneered by tech companies, our design process now considers how scientists initially interact with, and continue to stay engaged with, their environments. Three elements of this user-centric process drive a deeper understanding of the functional necessities to improve the work experience and seed innovation.