Event Preview: The Smart Tools Shaping Tomorrow’s Labs
Advances in digital technologies are rapidly reshaping how laboratories are planned, designed, and delivered—from early-stage programming through construction and long-term operations. On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Lab Design will bring together leading industry experts for the Smart Design Tools & Software Digital Conference, a free virtual event exploring how artificial intelligence (AI), building information modeling (BIM), virtual reality (VR), and integrated software platforms are transforming every stage of laboratory design.
This free, digital program will showcase practical, real-world applications of digital tools that are helping project teams reduce errors, improve collaboration, and deliver more efficient, future-ready lab environments. From workforce training facilities to advanced research campuses, speakers will highlight how data-driven design is improving accuracy and enabling teams to respond more effectively to evolving scientific needs.
The first session, “Designing from the Inside-Out for Upskilling and Workforce Training,” will be presented by Mitsy Canto-Jacobs, principal and laboratory planner with Hanbury. This presentation will explore how an “inside-out” design approach—grounded in user needs, curriculum development, and real-world workflows—can be strengthened through AI, BIM, and digital programming tools. Attendees will gain insight into how these platforms are used to analyze workforce trends, inform early-stage planning decisions, and translate educational goals into flexible, high-performance laboratory environments. The session will also demonstrate how digital workflows improve collaboration between educators, designers, and industry partners, helping ensure that training facilities are aligned with future workforce demands.
At 12:30pm ET, the focus shifts to “How AI and Automation Are Reshaping Modern Lab Design,” led by Alicia Pandimos Maurer, practice leader and director, science and technology with Ware Malcomb. As artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation systems become increasingly embedded in scientific research, laboratory design must evolve to support new modes of collaboration, workflow efficiency, and data-driven discovery. This session will examine how these technologies are changing the physical and operational requirements of labs, including impacts on infrastructure, circulation, utilities, and flexibility. Attendees will also learn strategies for future-proofing facilities to support autonomous systems while maintaining adaptability for evolving research needs.
The final session, “Bridging the Gap Between Scientists and Designers with Digital Tools,” begins at 2:00pm ET and features an Ask the Expert Q&A with Cody Ferguson, laboratory planner with HERA Laboratory Planners. This interactive discussion will focus on how tools such as Revit, BIM, Bluebeam, and visualization platforms are improving communication between scientists, designers, and stakeholders. By enabling 3D modeling, digital walkthroughs, and real-time visualization, these tools help teams identify safety concerns, evaluate ergonomics, and refine workflows before construction begins—reducing costly changes and improving compliance and operational performance.
Across all sessions, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how digital tools are not only improving efficiency but also reshaping the way laboratories are conceived and experienced. From enhancing safety and compliance to enabling more collaborative design processes, these technologies are helping teams deliver spaces that better support scientific innovation.
The Smart Design Tools & Software Digital Conference is part of the ongoing Lab Design Digital Conference series and is free to attend live or on demand. Sessions will also be eligible for AIA/HSW continuing education credit.
For lab owners, architects, engineers, planners, and vendors alike, this event offers timely insights into the tools shaping the next generation of laboratory environments. Registration is free—attendees are encouraged to sign up early to secure access and explore how digital innovation is redefining lab design from concept to completion.
