Choosing the Ideal Lab Design Partner for Long-Term Success
When it comes to designing, building, or renovating a laboratory, few decisions carry as much weight as selecting the right architecture and design partner. A lab is not just another building—it’s a highly technical ecosystem where functionality, safety, and innovation intersect. The right partner will not only bring your vision to life but will help future-proof your investment, streamline communication, and align your scientific mission with a built environment that supports discovery.
Whether your project involves a new construction, a renovation, or a reimagining of existing spaces, the following best practices—drawn from leading lab planners, architects, and project managers—can help ensure a successful partnership and outcome.
1. Prioritize specialized experience
Laboratories demand a level of technical expertise that goes well beyond conventional commercial or office architecture. When building your shortlist of design firms, focus on those with a proven track record in laboratory design and engineering.
Firms that specialize in labs understand how science drives design decisions—from airflow and flexibility to workflow and safety. They know that research priorities evolve, equipment footprints shrink or expand, and environmental conditions must be carefully controlled. These nuances can’t be learned overnight or adapted from experience in unrelated building types.
Ask prospective partners:
What percentage of their portfolio is dedicated to lab design?
Do they have experience with your specific lab typology—whether R&D, academic, clinical, or manufacturing?
Can they provide references or tours of similar completed projects?
Specialized firms will also be fluent in Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), relevant codes and standards, and emerging technologies in lab automation and sustainability. This expertise ensures your facility can evolve alongside the science it supports.
Further reading: Designing a New Lab? Choosing the Right AEC Partner Could Be Your Most Important Decision
2. Look for a partner who thinks beyond the lab
The most successful design partners recognize that what happens around the lab is just as important as what happens inside it. Modern research environments are ecosystems that blend bench space with offices, collaboration zones, and amenities that attract and retain top talent.
Ask for examples of how the design team has integrated communal areas, natural light, and wellness spaces in previous projects. Firms that understand how these elements influence culture and productivity will deliver a space that feels holistic, not just functional.
A great design partner will also think about the long-term adaptability of your facility. As one architect noted, “The life sciences industry is constantly changing—so we design labs that can change with it.” Look for firms that embed flexibility into layouts and infrastructure to accommodate future technology and shifts in research focus.
Further viewing: On Demand Webinar: Choosing the Right Architect
3. Evaluate communication and collaboration skills
Technical qualifications alone aren’t enough. Communication can make—or break—a project. The best AEC (architecture, engineering, and construction) teams listen first, ask thoughtful questions, and maintain open, empathetic dialogue throughout the process.
From the first RFP to the final punch list, a collaborative mindset is key. The request-for-proposal stage sets the tone: allow time for pre-bid briefings and Q&A sessions so prospective teams can understand your organization’s goals and challenges. When interviewing finalists, pay attention to team chemistry and interpersonal dynamics.
During design, prioritize firms that engage end users early and often through workshops or listening sessions. Encourage each lab group to appoint a spokesperson to represent their needs—this not only streamlines communication but fosters ownership among users.
Finally, consider how the firm structures internal and external communication. Will your main contact remain consistent throughout design and construction? Does the team have experience managing complex multi-stakeholder input? Firms with established communication protocols reduce risk, enhance accountability, and keep projects aligned with vision, budget, and schedule.
Further reading: Client and Architect Communications: Strategies for Seamless Lab Design
4. Choose a team that learns and adapts
The best lab design partners approach every project with curiosity. They learn from past experiences and bring those lessons forward—especially in the face of rapidly evolving technology, sustainability goals, and workforce needs.
A firm’s willingness to challenge assumptions and explore new ideas can yield innovative, resilient solutions. Ask about lessons learned from previous projects or how the team navigated changes during events like the COVID-19 pandemic. The answers will reveal how they respond to uncertainty and adapt under pressure.
Diversity of thought also strengthens problem-solving. Teams that blend expertise across architecture, engineering, operations, and user experience can anticipate blind spots and identify opportunities that a single-discipline approach might miss.
Further reading: Ten Questions to Ask Your Design Firm During Your Next Lab Build
5. Value local knowledge
A design team’s local presence can be a significant advantage. Local firms—or those with established regional offices—are already familiar with permitting processes, codes, and market conditions. They likely have relationships with local contractors and consultants, which can expedite approvals and reduce unforeseen costs.
Moreover, designers who conduct regular on-site visits and remain engaged from programming through construction are better equipped to uphold design intent. Ask who will lead local coordination, attend site meetings, and serve as your day-to-day contact during construction administration.
6. Build for the long term
Your design partner should be viewed not as a vendor, but as a long-term collaborator. Laboratories evolve—new equipment, new workflows, and sometimes entirely new research disciplines will emerge during the life of your building. A partner who understands your facility’s “medical history” can guide future renovations and upgrades with continuity and precision.
Long-term relationships also promote efficiency. The design team becomes fluent in your organization’s culture, standards, and operational needs, reducing onboarding time and the risk of miscommunication in future projects.
When interviewing candidates, ask about their history of repeat clients and post-occupancy evaluations. Do they check in after completion to assess performance and user satisfaction? Firms that invest in these follow-ups demonstrate commitment to continuous improvement and client success.
Further reading: Six Considerations for Choosing the Right Design Partner
7. Beware of “too good to be true” bids
Laboratory projects are complex, high-stakes investments—and their design fees reflect that reality. While competitive pricing is important, unusually low bids should raise red flags. They often signal a lack of understanding of lab project requirements or an attempt to enter the market by undercutting competitors.
Carefully review proposals for clarity about scope, deliverables, and exclusions. Confirm that the proposed project team is the same one that will execute the work, not a placeholder group listed for the interview. The cheapest option up front can quickly become the most expensive if rework or redesigns are needed later.
8. Prepare internally before the kickoff
Even the best design team can’t succeed without a clear understanding of your organization’s goals. Before the kickoff meeting, align your internal stakeholders around key questions:
Why is this project happening now?
What are the non-negotiables—budget, schedule, or scope?
What challenges do current labs present, and what must change?
Document these priorities and share them early. The kickoff meeting will then focus on aligning your business case with design strategy, resulting in a project charter that defines success metrics and guides decision-making throughout the process.
Further viewing: On Demand Webinar: Client and Design Team Communications: Strategies for Seamless Lab Design
9. Remember the human factor
At its core, a lab project is a human endeavor. The people designing and building it—and those who will eventually work within it—determine its success. When owner, architect, engineer, and builder communicate transparently and share accountability, challenges become opportunities for innovation.
As one design leader put it: “A true design partner doesn’t just work for you—they work with you.” Choosing the right partner means selecting a team that listens deeply, collaborates openly, and is as committed to your mission as you are.
Bottom line
A well-designed lab can advance science, accelerate discovery, and elevate your organization’s reputation—but it starts with choosing the right design partner. Seek firms with deep lab expertise, strong communication skills, and an adaptive, collaborative mindset. Look beyond the lowest bid and toward long-term partnership potential.
In a field defined by innovation, your design partner should help you not just build a lab for today but also shape one that’s ready for tomorrow.
