AI, Automation, and the Value of Industry Connections: On the Floor at the Lab Design Conference
At the 2026 Lab Design Conference in Orlando, laboratory planning professionals gathered to discuss the trends, technologies, and challenges shaping the future of research environments.
During an interview with Jeanette Wider, managing editor for LabX Media Group, Regal Leftwich, principal and director of laboratory planning at Hanbury, shared his perspective on the evolving laboratory design landscape, drawing on nearly two decades of experience attending the conference.
Leftwich’s long-standing involvement with the Lab Design Conference has given him a unique perspective on how both the event and the industry have evolved over time.
An industry in transition
According to Leftwich, the laboratory design community continues to face familiar pressures surrounding budgets and funding, but the next wave of change is increasingly being driven by technology.
“The biggest trends we see in lab design that are affecting everyone, other than budget and financial constraints, are around automation and AI and how people are shifting their processes over to deal with that,” he said. “And so that's the biggest change we see on the horizon that would influence and affect lab design.”
As laboratories adopt automated workflows, robotics, artificial intelligence, and data-driven research processes, facility planners are being challenged to create spaces that can accommodate rapidly evolving technologies while maintaining flexibility for future changes. These trends are influencing everything from laboratory layouts and infrastructure planning to utility distribution and equipment integration.
While automation and AI have been widely discussed across the life sciences industry, Leftwich's comments highlight that these technologies are no longer future considerations—they are becoming central drivers of laboratory planning decisions.
An evolving conference, an evolving industry
Few attendees can claim the longevity that Leftwich brings to the conference. During the interview, he noted that he has attended the event for nearly two decades.
“I attend this conference almost every year because we like to see what's out there in the industry, what the pain points are, what people are experiencing,” he said. “I've been coming for the past 18 years to this conference.”
That continuity allows him to observe broader shifts not only in laboratory design, but also in the makeup of the industry itself.
“I've seen this conference grow over time, especially since COVID,” Leftwich said. “Every year seems to be bigger and bigger, which I think kind of corresponds to more people entering into the laboratory market from developer side or institutions that are focused more on science and more on STEM over the past years, especially academic institutions.”
The growth of the conference reflects broader investment in research infrastructure as universities, biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical organizations, and developers continue expanding laboratory facilities. It also underscores the increasing importance of specialized expertise as laboratory projects become more technically complex.
A place to learn from the industry
When asked whether he would recommend the conference to colleagues, Leftwich offered an enthusiastic endorsement, particularly for organizations considering new laboratory projects or renovations.
“I would highly recommend this conference to anyone that's thinking about a lab renovation or a lab design. This is a great place to come and meet the people that are producing and manufacturing the laboratory equipment, the casework,” he said. “There’s a lot of architects, designers that are here, so it's easy to just have a conversation, ‘Hey, I'm thinking about this. What should I do? What are the best practices?’ Or, ‘How would I approach a renovation or a design?’ And this is just a great place to meet people in the industry and just learn about what's relevant and trends in lab design.”
Rather than viewing the conference simply as a trade show, Leftwich emphasized its role as a collaborative environment where facility owners, architects, engineers, manufacturers, and laboratory users can exchange ideas and discuss best practices. Those informal conversations can be especially valuable during the early planning stages of a project, when organizations are evaluating options, learning from peers, and identifying potential project partners.
The conference also provides opportunities to stay informed about emerging technologies, evolving design strategies, and changing user expectations—all of which are becoming increasingly important as laboratories seek to maximize flexibility, efficiency, and long-term value.
Looking ahead
Leftwich's observations reinforce a theme heard throughout the 2026 Lab Design Conference: laboratory facilities are entering a period of significant transformation. While funding pressures remain a constant consideration, advances in automation and artificial intelligence are reshaping how laboratories operate and, consequently, how they are designed.
For design professionals and laboratory owners alike, keeping pace with these changes requires more than following industry headlines. It requires ongoing dialogue with peers, manufacturers, planners, and subject matter experts who are actively solving today's design challenges.
As Leftwich concluded, the conference remains “just a great place to meet people in the industry and just learn about what's relevant and trends in lab design.”
For professionals planning new facilities, modernizing existing laboratories, or simply looking to understand where laboratory design is headed next, those conversations may be just as valuable as the technologies on display.
Key takeaways from Regal Leftwich
Before watching the interview, keep these three ideas in mind:
Think beyond today's project. Laboratory facilities are long-term investments. Leftwich emphasizes designing for flexibility so spaces can adapt to changing research priorities, new technologies, and evolving scientific programs over time.
Learn from the broader laboratory community. Conferences provide an opportunity to hear how other organizations are addressing common challenges, discover emerging trends, and exchange practical lessons that can inform future projects.
Connect with the people behind laboratory design. One of the conference's greatest strengths is bringing together laboratory owners, architects, planners, engineers, equipment manufacturers, and other specialists in one place. Those conversations can help organizations make more informed decisions before embarking on a renovation or new construction project.
Watch the full interview below to hear Regal Leftwich reflect on nearly two decades of attending the Lab Design Conference, discuss how the laboratory design industry has evolved, and explain why he recommends the event for anyone planning a laboratory renovation, expansion, or new facility.
