Integrating Technology Advancements into Lab Design and Construction

Rapid advancements in technology have a growing impact on lab design and construction, bringing both opportunities and significant challenges. While new tools can help streamline project management, improve safety, and reduce costs, teams must also navigate a steep learning curve, compliance hurdles, and the risk of misalignment with end-user needs.

A common challenge in lab construction is ensuring that project sign-offs and hand-offs are smooth and successful. With regulatory standards changing frequently, it’s important that project teams engage lab users early and maintain open communication throughout the design and build process. Without this collaboration—and a constant focus on the end goal—teams risk delays, noncompliance, and costly revisions just as the space is preparing for occupancy.

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3D laser scanning

3D laser scanning is a necessary first step in lab construction projects. A detailed scan of existing conditions establishes a reliable foundation for project planning, providing clarity on structural dimensions, mechanical constraints, and any surrounding spaces that could impact the build. This insight is particularly valuable in renovation or adaptive reuse projects, where unknown conditions can pose significant risk.

By integrating 3D scans into early-stage planning, project teams can identify and address issues such as clashes between new and existing MEP systems, elevation changes in the slab, and limitations in ceiling height or wall clearances. This proactive risk mitigation saves time and money down the line and promotes smooth coordination between disciplines.

BIM coordination

Building Information Modeling (BIM) gets every project party—architects, engineers, contractors, and owners—on the same page by combining all systems into a coordinated 3D model. This shared model gives teams a holistic view of how architectural layouts, mechanical systems, and lab equipment interact in space, breaking down silos that often lead to costly oversights.

BIM coordination is especially valuable for early clash detection. When mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and architectural systems are brought together in a shared 3D model, the team can spot conflicts—such as mechanical elements interfering with structural layouts or equipment clearances—before construction begins. This helps eliminate surprises during the build, reduces the number of change orders, and limits project delays. In lab construction, where MEP systems are tightly integrated with specialized equipment, early BIM coordination keeps all parties aligned and supports a smoother buildout process​.

BIM also contributes to more accurate MEP mapping, which is critical in lab environments with complex infrastructure needs. With every system visualized and aligned, teams can better forecast utility demands and deliver a lab that functions as intended from day one​.

Sustainability and energy efficiency

Sustainability is no longer an option in lab design—it’s a mandate in cities such as New York, where Local Law 97 is putting pressure on energy-intensive buildings. Labs, which often have high mechanical demands due to sensitive equipment and safety protocols, can benefit from tools like energy modeling and sustainable HVAC design. Fume hoods, for example, require a significant amount of air to push off-gases up and out of the lab space in order to maintain safe working conditions for staff.

By integrating Variable Air Volume (VAV) systems and Building Management Systems (BMS), project teams can strike a balance between performance and efficiency. These tools allow facilities to monitor and adjust airflow based on real-time occupancy and lab use, ensuring compliance and comfort. These systems are especially useful when mitigating the circulation of potential chemical contaminants, which requires extra attention to address ventilation and exhaust. Incorporating energy metering and recovery mechanisms during the design phase also leads to long-term savings, reducing operational costs and extending the useful life of systems.

Equipment reviews and compliance

Mechanical equipment selection is one of the most critical—yet often overlooked—aspects of lab construction. Without an understanding of the equipment—its size, energy demands, back-up power needs, etc.—that will be installed, it would be nearly impossible to design utility storage and infrastructure that meets the lab’s functional and safety needs, while accounting for future growth and technological innovations. This is why equipment reviews must begin early and involve close collaboration between end users and design teams.

Reviews help ensure that utilities are properly routed, clearances are maintained, and installations will adhere to code. They also minimize surprises during third-party inspections and help avoid costly retrofits. Thorough coordination around equipment supports compliance and boosts lab functionality by ensuring the space can properly work for its users.

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Conclusion

For project teams to adopt new technologies, they need training, support, and a clear understanding of how each advancement will benefit their specific role in the process. Project managers play an important role in facilitating this integration, helping teams embrace innovation without compromising timelines or budgets.

Looking ahead, lab construction will lie in virtualization. Improved 3D scanning, modeling, and performance-monitoring systems makes it possible to coordinate nearly every aspect of a project before construction begins. This shift could accelerate the use of prefabrication and modular buildouts, leading to faster delivery, lower costs, and more adaptable lab environments for future generations.