SmithGroup Launches an Information and Communications Technology Team
David Glenn
Courtesy of SmithGroup
Lab Design spoke to David Glenn, principal and director of Information and Communications Technology at SmithGroup. David spoke about his career journey, labs of the future, and an in-depth look at the Information and Communications Technology department.
Q: Could you please tell us a bit about your background in this field, and how it impacts lab design?
A: I have worked on over 250 projects with more than 100 clients. Many of the projects have been for R1 Research Institutions clients in Higher Education, and have included wet bench research labs, as well as specialty labs in support of data computation, kinesiology, experiential and neurology research, UAV, computer science, life sciences, clinical trials, vivarium, nuclear and many more. Some of these spaces have also been in support of pharmaceutical and life sciences corporate clients, and even incubator scale-in-place start-up facilities for emerging companies. In recent years, public-private partnerships and collaboration in research projects have created many additional opportunities, and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is even more important because researchers are not all in the same location or within the same organizations.
Q: What made SmithGroup decide that an Information and Communications Technology Team was necessary?
A: The ICT industry is experiencing rapid growth, and businesses of all sizes are increasingly turning to technology to streamline operations, improve productivity, and enhance user experience.
SmithGroup wanted to integrate an in-house ICT discipline with an intrinsic focus on interdisciplinary coordination with our architecture, engineering, and planning teams so that our designs offer a seamless delivery to our client partners.
Courtesy of SmithGroup
Given the complexity of visioning, planning, constructing, and occupying new innovative buildings with multiple unique technology and experience goals; the largest benefit that the ICT discipline team can bring to our clients is in the form of time and money savings.
To fulfill our mission to design a better future, SmithGroup needs to continue to evaluate and expand the offerings we can provide to our clients. As an industry leader in integrated design, we pride ourselves on our ability to address the complex challenges our clients face, and the ICT group provides us with a valuable new tool in our toolbox.
Q: What are some of the latest information and communications technology developments that lab design, and build teams should be aware of?
A: Lab designers should not only focus on integrating the following technologies but also ensure that they are intuitive, user-friendly, and foster a collaborative environment. It's also essential to keep scalability and adaptability in mind so that as technology advances further, labs can easily flex without requiring major overhauls. Having the ability to share content and results within the lab as well as outside the lab is critical to functionality.
Metaverse- Labs are beginning to consider going virtual. This would allow reach to not only the researchers in the lab but also outside the lab and around the world, as they would both be able to work in a virtual lab or experiment at the same time. Along the same lines, digital twin technology enables having a virtual representation of lab processes and equipment, which can be used for simulations, predictions, and optimizations.
Intelligent facilities with integrated building systems, sensors, AI, and interactive end-user systems, enhance the built environment and occupant experience.
Contactless controlled access for public safety and health, utilizing convenient and secure methods such as facial recognition and mobile access credentials.
With cyber-attacks becoming sophisticated, labs need advanced security tools like biometric authentication, end-to-end encryption, and intrusion detection systems.
Building systems integrated with surveillance and two-way communication devices to enhance the safety of occupants during incident emergency response.
The ability for critical building and safety systems to be monitored and administered remotely, providing situational awareness to key personnel and/or first responders.
Courtesy of SmithGroup
Sustainable communications infrastructure designed to future-proof against anticipated industry advancements.
Robust, high-density wireless communication environment, greatly reducing wired infrastructure.
Improved resiliency and efficiency of network systems, meeting the demands of current and future planned technologies.
5G connectivity not only allows faster download and upload speeds, wider coverage, and lower latency but can facilitate remote operations and data collection and sharing and IoT in labs.
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are being used for virtual lab tours, training, and even remote experimentation. They provide users with immersive experiences and hands-on training without being physically present in the lab.
IoT devices in labs can facilitate real-time monitoring, control, and data collection from various instruments and systems, making lab management more efficient.
Cloud-based Collaboration Tools have seen massive adoption. For labs, cloud platforms specific to research make collaborative research, data sharing, and experiment tracking easier. These tools are often integrated with advanced video conferencing systems as remote work and collaboration have become the norm. The quality and capabilities of video conferencing tools have significantly improved, offering better audio, video, and collaborative features.
Wearables like smart glasses can be used to access information hands-free, useful for technicians and researchers who are conducting experiments or handling materials.
Q: What strategies does your team use to collaborate with lab management/site owners who may not be well-versed in information and communications technology?
A:
Lab technology/process planning sessions including benchmarking and visioning.
Thorough evaluations of leading industry trends and emerging technologies for feasibility and consideration.
Continued emphasis on improving virtual applications to provide flexibility and support of hybrid learning, research, and work environments.
We meet our clients where they are. For lab/facility managers, we run through their day-to-day scenario, and point out pain points and how we can help with technology. For site owners, security, and building technology are very important because these systems will support the building even if lab tenants move.
Q: What do you envision for the Lab of the Future? What kinds of technological and scientific advancements do you think will be available to lab planners in 10, 20, or 30 years?
Courtesy of SmithGroup
A: In immersive environments, AR/VR has been constantly improving, and it can make tremendous gains in the visualization of data and as a teaching/learning aid. I think more and more labs will have dedicated resources and space for these technologies.
Virtually instantaneous data transfer, facilitating remote operations, and large-scale data analysis are where we’re heading.
Advanced robots will likely be conducting a significant portion of experiments autonomously, especially repetitive tasks ensuring precision and reducing human error.
Quantum computing will become more affordable, scalable, and sustainable.
Decentralized labs, including plug-and-play pods, will become more prevalent by utilizing advanced connectivity and remote technology. Large, centralized labs may become less common, replaced by networks of smaller, specialized labs or even home labs. This may even include interplanetary research labs, and conducting research in extraterrestrial environments.
The blending of biology and technology is occurring. This can be brain-computer interfaces that would allow for direct interfacing between the human brain and computers as a new method of conducting experiments and analyzing data. New biobot capabilities and bio-integrated machines incorporating living tissues will have new requirements in the lab of the future.
Q: Is there anything you would like to add or mention?
A: Public engagement for some labs is becoming increasingly important, and having a way to demonstrate the value of the facility and engage the public through audiovisual technology is valuable to labs. This can come in the form of community engagement centers, seminars, and even experience centers so the public can have some insight into the research that is happening in their communities. These types of engagements also benefit STEM education in K-12 and help to develop our next generation of researchers.
