Professional Profile: Cody Henderson
Cody Henderson, AIA, LEED AP, I2SL, associate principal with Mackey Mitchell Architects
Cody Henderson, AIA, LEED AP, I2SL, has joined Mackey Mitchell Architects in St. Louis, MO as an associate principal. Lab Design News spoke to Cody about his path from technical problem-solver to passionate lab designer, his perspective on how AI and automation will shape safer, more efficient research environments, and his favorite vacation spot to unplug and recharge.
Q: What sparked your interest in designing labs—was there a defining moment that led you to this career?
A: I have always been attracted to technical challenges. In architecture school, I was more attracted to the detailing and coordination of projects over aesthetics. Early in my career I worked closely with firm designers and told them, “If you design it, I will figure out how to build it.” Lab design, at that time, was not something I was familiar with. When the recession hit, like many in our profession, I was forced to find a new job. The next firm I joined needed a technically inclined architect and one of my first projects there was a highly specialized research space. The technical and coordination challenges immediately appealed to me. I loved it! Each successive project deepened my interest in this type of work and blossomed into the deep passion I have for it today.
Q: If you weren’t in this profession, what job would you like to have instead?
A: I nearly went to college for automotive repair and high-performance systems, which appealed to my dual interests in technical systems and hands-on troubleshooting. I still love cars, but I am happy to keep that as a hobby.
Q: How do you see AI and automation influencing lab design in the coming years?
A: Looking to the future I see AI/automation becoming invaluable for ensuring lab safety. For instance, fume hoods with multiple sensors that detect the presence of hazardous chemicals can “ramp up” from an idle mode more actively than the standard “off-hour” exhaust turndown. Such a feature would also help reduce building energy consumption.
Automation of specific lab procedures will reduce the amount of time that lab personnel would need to be within wet lab spaces, possibly reducing the footprint per occupant considered during preliminary planning.
Q: What is one important “soft skill” that all lab design experts should have?
A: Lab experts are well-served by doing more “listening to understand,” than “listening to respond.” I have learned to resist the temptation to formulate immediate responses to clients’ problems expressed during design process conversations. Instead, I take the time to listen and attempt to understand fully what is being relayed. Then, after letting things sink in, I refer back to my notes and formulate a more balanced and well-reasoned response. This approach enables me to offer more effective design solutions that satisfy the needs of occupants and the overall intent of how a space will be utilized.
Q: What is your favorite vacation spot?
A: Aruba, without a doubt. Aruba has been one of the few locales that I have found where I can disconnect from devices, read a good book, and sketch. This “recharging of my mental battery” helps to bring forth ideas of how to design better spaces for learning and discovery.
Q: What are you most looking forward to in this new role?
A: With my new position at Mackey Mitchell Architects, I am thrilled to expand the types of projects and clients I’ll be working with. MMA has a strong campus life and learning environments portfolio, rooted in a thoughtful design approach where creative problem-solving is balanced with compelling storytelling. Leveraging my deep expertise in lab design and health sciences, I am most eager to explore the potential design intersection between scientific spaces and learning spaces to enhance the user’s experience. I embrace this pursuit with the goal of facilitating new discoveries, new treatments, and new ways of learning.
