Designing Flexible Academic Labs for a Changing Research Landscape
Mark A. Sullivan, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, partner with JZA+D in Princeton, NJ
Academic laboratories are at the forefront of research and education, yet the buildings that house them are often decades old. Today, with rising costs, geopolitical uncertainties, and shifting institutional priorities, colleges and universities are increasingly turning toward renovation and adaptive reuse rather than ground-up construction. Mark A. Sullivan, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, partner with JZA+D in Princeton, NJ, shared his perspective with Lab Design News regarding the unique challenges and opportunities of academic lab design.
The case for adaptive reuse
Sullivan notes that global and economic realities have made large-scale new builds less feasible for many institutions. As he explained, “Anytime that happens, I feel like people should be and will probably be leveraging their existing buildings and not building multi-million-dollar big new buildings.” Instead, universities are investing in studies to determine whether existing structures can be reimagined for modern use.
These feasibility studies are critical, since labs bring an additional layer of complexity compared to classrooms or humanities spaces. “There are many of the same problems you get in a humanities building, but then there are a thousand other issues of infrastructure and capacity, ventilation, makeup air, gasses and other utilities,” Sullivan said. Evaluating whether an older structure can realistically support the needs of cutting-edge science is as much about functionality and safety as it is about cost and schedule.
To learn more about Mark’s career and interests, read his Professional Profiles interview!
Incremental vs. transformative improvements
When asked about small-scale interventions that can deliver meaningful improvements, Sullivan cautioned against “Band-Aid” solutions for buildings already at the end of their lifecycle. Recalling a university clinic housed in a structure dating to 1900, he explained, “It became, from a rationale, from my point of view, it was seemingly irrational to keep for another decade or two, band-aiding the building. Any little design interventions would have just been kicking the can down the road.”
For more viable structures, however, targeted upgrades such as ventilation improvements and accessibility enhancements can provide both functional and aesthetic benefits. “If there are aesthetic improvements, they tend to be riding the back of the ADA improvements,” he said, noting that a new accessible entrance or canopy often doubles as a visual refresh.
Working with older buildings
Academic institutions often house their labs in buildings from very different eras, each presenting distinct challenges. Early 20th-century masonry buildings may lack insulation or vapor barriers, while mid-century structures, though lighter in construction, struggle to meet today’s wind-load and energy codes. “As soon as you start changing facades, you run the risk of having lateral force problems,” Sullivan said. Aging mechanical systems further complicate matters, with many designed lifespans of just 25 to 30 years.
For institutions, these realities make it essential to balance preservation with modernization. Renovations must address safety and compliance while supporting the technological needs of contemporary research.
Engaging stakeholders early
The success of an academic lab renovation hinges on active collaboration with faculty and staff. Sullivan highlighted the importance of identifying the right representatives during planning. “There is a building operations manager who’s usually involved in the day-to-day meetings with the AE and contractor team from beginning to end,” he said of his experience at Princeton University. This role ensures continuity while bridging the gap between academic users and the construction team.
Faculty input is valuable, but Sullivan emphasized that not all researchers are suited for design discussions. “There’s a certain mindset that works for the A/E/C world, and there’s a certain mindset that doesn’t work,” he explained, recalling a Texas A&M project where some physics professors were constructive partners and others were not. Having an operations liaison with technical knowledge and the right mindset helps keep projects on track.
The role of vendors
Furniture and equipment vendors also play a pivotal role in shaping flexible, future-ready spaces. Sullivan advised suppliers to engage early in the process to help institutions plan for cost and scheduling impacts, even if specific product selections are years away. He also shared a practical example: “They left a section of curtain wall off the building,” he explained. “They said, ‘I’d rather put the last piece of curtain wall in after all the furniture’s in than try and get it through the doorways.’ I thought it was brilliant.” Such foresight avoids costly mistakes and ensures smooth installation.
Designing for recruitment and flexibility
Modern lab spaces are not just work environments—they’re recruitment tools for attracting top students and faculty. In Sullivan’s view, the qualities most valued today are openness, light, and cleanliness. “In this post-pandemic world,” he said, “it’s all about light, air, freshness, clean. Those are the qualities that anybody and everybody who’s renovating a building is looking for.” Whether through updated lobbies, brighter stairwells, or refreshed restrooms, these improvements send a clear message about an institution’s commitment to providing a healthy and inspiring environment.
Finally, Sullivan underscored the importance of adaptability in lab planning. With research needs evolving rapidly, modular layouts are increasingly favored. He described one renovation study where planners introduced a central spine for utilities, enabling future labs to connect easily to infrastructure. “A nice, simple, clean footprint that can be expanded upon or rearranged is everything,” he said. This approach reduces the need for disruptive overhauls and extends the usefulness of the facility well into the future.
The cyclical nature of academic investment
While some universities continue large capital campaigns, Sullivan observed that many institutions are now scaling back and refocusing on renovation. “They’re going to be back to a much higher proportion of renovating and repairing old buildings, because that’s just the natural course of life with buildings,” he said. For architects, planners, and administrators, the challenge lies in making thoughtful interventions today that will stand the test of time.
