Using Flexible Design Principles Can Future-Proof Life Sciences Facilities

In the uncertain and complex world of life sciences facilities and design, embracing flexible spaces can provide strategic benefits for occupiers and owners. As scientific advancement accelerates, institutions and pharmaceutical companies investing in specific purpose-built buildings can maintain their agility in addressing current and future research needs. Therefore, integrating flexible design alternatives can extend a facility’s operational life and improve its long-term viability.

Design flexibility can be reflected in structural, sustainable and systematic considerations.

Structural Considerations:

• Utilizing buildings with taller ceiling heights allows for future equipment or infrastructure installations without major structural modifications.
• Using modular systems, moveable walls and furniture promotes easy reconfiguration and scalability, ensuring the facility’s adaptability to evolving research needs. Designing larger mechanical spaces with dedicated areas for future equipment installation accommodates technological advancements and ensures seamless integration without compromising operational efficiency.
• Flexible design layouts that can accommodate a wide range of research activities—from microscopy to tissue culture to chemical and biological studies—ensures that the facility can accommodate diverse research needs over time.

Sustainable Considerations:

• Providing for additional and adjustable air-handling capacity in the facility allows for room purpose modifications, whether converting office space to a lab or modifying lab activities to accommodate added air flow.
• Focusing on sustainable design options and renewable materials can extend the life of the building by promoting reuse and diminishing waste of resources.

Systematic Considerations:

• Installation of valves at critical points eases future shutoffs or modifications, enabling easier maintenance or upgrades.
• Prefabricated skids expedite equipment replacements, reducing downtime during renovations or upgrades.
• Strategically implementing manifolding or ganging utilities streamlines changes and modifications, reducing complexity and future upgrade costs.
• Implementing capped ceiling utilities provides the infrastructure for potential future expansions or modifications without disrupting existing systems.

Flexible building design has many benefits, but life sciences occupiers and owners must balance the pros and cons of each design consideration against their needs, schedules and budgets. Factors like speed-to-market, initial costs, renovation expenses and potential disruptions to operations are crucial considerations.

Ultimately, flexible building design future-proofs life sciences facilities, ensuring they remain adaptable, efficient and cost-effective in an evolving world. By prioritizing flexibility, buildings can stay at the forefront of scientific innovation for years to come.