Innovation and Creativity in Modern Lab Design—A Perspective from Experience

A biotech-cell culture lab. Image: Courtesy of Dikla Levi

Hadas Kasher, co-founder of Kay Group Inc., is co-author of this piece.

Designing future-ready labs requires more than vision—it takes lived experience and deep operational know-how. In this piece, two specialized partners come together to share what works: one brings a portfolio of cutting-edge innovation spaces for Apple, NVIDIA, and Amazon; the other delivers real-world expertise in executing lab projects across the US.

Their combined perspective highlights the practical strategies and critical considerations behind building labs that are both adaptable and enduring.

Innovation in lab architecture

Purpose-driven design

The most effective innovation labs start with intent. Purpose-driven design means aligning layout, technology, and functionality with the specific outcomes the space is meant to support, whether that’s rapid prototyping, cross-functional collaboration, or talent development.

Every design begins with a deep understanding of the organization’s mission, workflows, and long-term goals. We go beyond surface-level needs to examine the intended use of the lab, the specific tools and technologies to be deployed, and the methodologies that will drive the work. Every aspect of the planned activities is analyzed to better understand the desired outcomes and operational flow.

In one recent project, we designed a GPU-focused lab for a client working at the intersection of hardware prototyping and AI model testing. By integrating modular, reconfigurable elements, we created a space that could support both disciplines seamlessly and evolve with the pace of their innovation.

Cross disciplinary integration

One key element of innovation lies in cross-pollination: creating spaces that encourage collaboration between departments that traditionally don’t interact often. By incorporating open design principles, shared brainstorming zones, and immersive simulation rooms, we blur the lines between teams like hardware team, software team etc., encouraging unexpected breakthroughs.

Creativity as a functional priority

Designing for user experience

Just like in product design, user experience within the lab must be intuitive, engaging, and even inspiring. Natural light, ergonomic workstations, dynamic lighting systems, and sound-responsive environments contribute to a lab environment where scientists, designers, and engineers can perform at their best.

Breaking the mold

Creative freedom isn’t only for the users; it’s for the lab itself. Labs are often seen as sterile or rigid. We’ve worked hard to break this stereotype. At an electronics company, one of our projects integrated artistic installations into the lab corridor walls, using generative design to match research outputs, transforming data into visual, kinetic art. These weren’t decorations, they were emotional cues designed to sustain curiosity and wonder.

Sustainability and responsibility

Environmentally conscious engineering

Cat lab at a medical device company. Image: Courtesy of Dikla Levi

Modern lab design must address not only technical innovation but also our environmental footprint. We leverage passive building systems and energy-efficient materials, for example, to monitor and optimize energy consumption in real time.

Liquid cooling and thermal solutions

When dealing with high-performance computing clusters or AI training centers, as in some of our client’s facilities, traditional HVAC systems simply don’t cut it. That’s where advanced liquid cooling solutions come into play. By routing non-toxic coolants through tightly managed thermal pipelines, we reduce heat waste, improve performance, and significantly cut down on energy use.

Innovative solutions for future-ready labs

Laboratories today must be designed for rapid evolution. That means pre-wired infrastructure to support emerging technologies, ceiling-rail systems for robotics, modular cleanroom pods, and quickly reconfigurable workstations.

We’re also seeing a rise in AI-driven lab automation: smart sensors that calibrate themselves, robotic arms with adaptive algorithms, and centralized dashboards for remote experiment oversight. These elements are no longer “futuristic”—they are essential.

Takeaways

In today’s competitive landscape, the need to innovate is no longer reserved for Fortune 500s or tech giants—it’s a defining factor for organizations of every size and sector. Whether you're a regional biotech firm, a university-backed startup, or a manufacturer rethinking your R&D footprint, having a dedicated space for innovation is quickly becoming a baseline requirement, not a luxury.

The most successful US companies are already reimagining their lab environments—not just as places of research, but as strategic assets that attract talent, accelerate discovery, and drive long-term growth. What was once considered cutting-edge is now essential.

Hadas Kasher, co-founder of Kay Group Inc., is co-author of this piece. Image: Courtesy of Kay Group Inc

Bringing this level of forward-thinking design and operational insight to every corner of the country is more than a mission- it’s a shared responsibility. There’s tremendous value in making top-tier lab strategy and infrastructure accessible beyond coastal hubs and industry leaders. And for those of us immersed in this work, the real excitement lies in helping more organizations harness that potential.

The momentum is here. The question is: who will act on it?