Event Preview: Academic Lab Design Digital Conference

On December 4, the Academic Lab Design Digital Conference offers a full day of webinars focused on the evolving landscape of academic laboratory design. Designed for architects, engineers, higher education administrators, and lab planners, this digital event provides attendees with the opportunity to engage with leading experts and explore innovative strategies that advance research, enhance safety, and foster collaboration in higher education lab environments.

Sessions can be viewed live or on demand, offering flexibility for busy professionals. These webinars qualify for AIA continuing education credit. Attendees are encouraged to bring their questions for the speakers to address during the Q&A session following each webinar.

Whether you’re designing new research facilities, updating existing labs, or considering alternative development approaches, this event delivers practical strategies for building safer, more efficient, and highly collaborative academic laboratory environments. Take advantage of the chance to learn from leading experts and acquire the tools to create adaptable, forward-thinking lab spaces that support current research needs while anticipating future scientific growth. Register for free to access the live broadcast on December 4, or to be notified as soon as the event is available for on demand viewing.

Innovation Through Collaboration: Reimagining Lab Spaces in Higher Education

11:00am-12:00pm ET

This session that draws on a current renovation project at Louisiana State University (LSU) to illustrate how architects and designers can partner effectively with higher education leadership. The project team faced the challenge of retrofitting a building that was not originally designed for laboratory use. By engaging facilities staff, lab users, and university leaders early in the design process, the team successfully transitioned isolated, individual labs into shared, collaborative spaces, including BSL2 labs, electronics labs, and cleanroom EMDLs.

Attendees will gain insights into navigating complex institutional dynamics, building trust among stakeholders, and designing flexible lab environments that support both current research needs and future institutional goals. Learning objectives include identifying strategies for effective collaboration, analyzing opportunities and challenges in retrofitting existing buildings, and evaluating design approaches that promote flexibility, natural light, and interdisciplinary interaction. Presenters Naomi Katlowitz of Gensler, Greg LaCour of LSU, and Eric Davis from Tipton Associates will share their first-hand experiences with the audience.

Navigating the ‘New’ IBC Requirements for Higher Education Laboratories: What Architects, Engineers & Owners Need to Know

12:30-1:30pm ET

The 2018 International Building Code (IBC) introduced Section 428, creating a tailored set of provisions for higher education laboratories that has carried forward into the 2021 and 2024 editions. These updates allow for greater flexibility in chemical storage and lab placement within Group B occupancies, avoiding the stricter requirements of Group H classifications.

This session will help attendees understand how Maximum Allowable Quantities (MAQs) are calculated in both traditional control areas and the newly defined laboratory suites. Additionally, the webinar will cover critical mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection (MEP/FP) considerations and ongoing safety obligations, including inventory tracking, signage, and chemical management protocols. Participants will leave with the knowledge to confidently implement the IBC’s updated framework in multi-story academic buildings. The session is led by Greg Smithmyer from Affiliated Engineers, Inc. and Kelley Waldrop of Lord Aeck Sargent, running from 12:30 to 1:30 pm ET.

Developer-Driven Labs: An Emerging Model Evolving Academic Research Spaces

2:00-3:00pm ET

As universities face increasing pressure to expand research capacity while controlling costs, developer-driven labs are gaining traction as a compelling alternative to institution-owned facilities. Delivered through public-private partnerships, this model provides flexible, core-and-shell lab spaces that can be customized by tenants without burdening universities with long-term operational responsibilities.

The session highlights Aggie Square, an innovation district in Sacramento developed by Wexford Science + Technology, which co-locates academic and private researchers within a community-oriented district designed to accelerate discovery and collaboration. Attendees will learn how this third-party developer approach enables faster project delivery, risk mitigation, and a thoughtful integration of public spaces that inspire STEM engagement. Presenters Claire Drummond of Wexford Science + Technology and Vlad Pajkic from ZGF will discuss planning, design, and delivery strategies, with a session from 2:00 to 3:00 pm ET.

Implementing Ventilation Risk Assessment and Energy Improvements for a Teaching Lab Renovation

3:30-4:30pm ET

This session that addresses the critical intersection of safety and energy efficiency in academic lab renovations. The presentation details a teaching lab renovation in which the design team conducted a Laboratory Ventilation Risk Assessment (LVRA) to balance air change rates, safety requirements, and efficiency goals. By aligning ventilation systems with ASHRAE and IMC guidelines and implementing strategic HVAC upgrades, including an innovative energy recovery system, the project achieved ambitious energy and deferred maintenance goals while preparing the lab for future research needs.

Attendees will learn how to balance program objectives and pedagogy with ventilation requirements, determine proper fume hood use for various hazard levels, compare LVRA and code standards for right-sizing systems, and explore strategies for upgrading buildings for future energy performance. Presenters Laura Finuf of Hord Coplan Macht and Taylor Teed of Cator, Ruma & Associates will share practical insights from 3:30 to 4:30 pm ET.

Watch live or on demand and earn AIA credit

The Academic Lab Design Digital Conference on December 4 offers a comprehensive exploration of academic laboratory design, covering everything from regulatory compliance and stakeholder collaboration to innovative development models and energy-conscious renovations. With live and on-demand viewing options, attendees can engage with cutting-edge strategies at their convenience, ensuring practical knowledge that can be applied immediately in their own institutions and projects.

These webinars qualify for AIA continuing education credit by providing content directly related to the design, planning, and operation of academic laboratories, emphasizing health, safety, welfare, and code compliance. Participants will gain practical knowledge and strategies that support professional competency in architecture and design, meeting AIA requirements for learning units. Register now for free!

Continue the conversation at the 2026 Lab Design Conference

Whether you are planning new research facilities, retrofitting existing spaces, or exploring alternative development models, the 2026 Lab Design Conference in Orlando, FL provides actionable insights for creating safer, more efficient, and more collaborative academic laboratories. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from industry leaders and gain the tools to transform lab environments into adaptable, innovative spaces that meet today’s research demands while preparing for future scientific advancements.

Here are just a few of the academic lab design-focused sessions that will be included in the Lab Design Conference:

Opening Keynote: Designing for Discovery: What Researchers Need from Tomorrow’s Labs
Explore how laboratory design directly impacts research productivity, collaboration, and talent recruitment. This session offers insights into open lab concepts, virtual reality tools for design planning, and real-world examples of both successful and problematic lab environments.

Roundtable: Academic Lab Design
Engage in an interactive discussion on balancing scientific requirements, institutional goals, and budget realities. Participants will share strategies for stakeholder engagement, adaptive reuse of historic spaces, flexible lab layouts, and vendor coordination to create functional, inspiring, and future-ready academic labs.

Catalyst of Change: Connected Manufacturing Ecosystems
Learn how Arizona State University’s ISTB 12 supports interdisciplinary manufacturing research, fosters collaboration among diverse research thrusts, and integrates industry partnerships to drive innovation and economic transformation.

Panel: Smart Renovation Strategies for Safe, Efficient, and Cost-Effective Labs
Examine renovation strategies that modernize aging laboratory infrastructure, improve ventilation and safety systems, and enhance occupant well-being while reducing energy use. Practical lessons from the University of Florida’s Basic Science Building will be shared.

Dealing with Uncertainty in a Time of Uncertainty
Discover how flexible frameworks and adaptable design strategies at Brown University’s Danoff Life Sciences Laboratories allow academic facilities to accommodate shifting research directions, new hires, and evolving lab programs.

Register now to secure your ticket to the 2026 Lab Design Conference in Orlando on May 11-14! Our special early bird discount is available through December 31, 2025.