The Next Breakthrough in Science Won’t Happen in a Lab—It Will Happen in How We Design Them
When the first COVID-19 vaccines were ready for large-scale production, science was moving at historic speed. But scaling that science required something equally critical: facilities that could be adapted rapidly to safely manufacture millions of doses. Labs and production spaces designed with flexibility in mind made the difference in a global, lifesaving effort.
That moment underscored a reality we can’t ignore: the speed of discovery is only as fast as the spaces built to support it. Behind every therapy or vaccine is a facility designed to bring science to life. If these spaces can’t keep up, neither can the breakthroughs we depend on.
Designing life sciences facilities is unlike designing any other building. They demand flexibility, speed, and precision all at once. And as science accelerates, three principles are emerging to help design teams and the industry stay ahead.
1. Design from the inside out.
Most buildings start with a site plan. Life sciences projects can’t afford that luxury. They must begin with the science itself—the safe flow of people, equipment, and processes that define how the facility functions.
By designing from the inside out, we shape buildings around production suites and lab workflows, maintaining cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practices) and GLP (Good Laboratory Practices), rather than forcing operations into a predetermined footprint. Co-located offices and cross-functional zones that promote wellness went from nice-to-haves to must-haves. The result is not just proximity and efficiency—it’s alignment with the mission of collaborative discovery.
2. Design for adaptability.
Science moves faster than construction schedules. By the time a building is completed, the research or process for which it was designed may have already evolved. That’s why flexibility is no longer optional; it’s a core requirement.
Modular construction, prefabrication, and built-in redundancy enable labs and manufacturing facilities to expand, reconfigure, and scale without disruption. Along with other industries, automation and AI are rapidly transforming the life sciences landscape, and buildings must be equipped to handle increasing electrical and HVAC loads. Universal corridors and centralized utilities make future buildouts more accessible and cost-effective.
At Pfizer’s facility in Chesterfield, MO, prefabricated lab core walls were assembled under controlled conditions and installed onsite to expedite construction and operational readiness. This approach reduced the construction schedule by nearly four months and resulted in cost savings of more than $1.5 million.
3. Invest early to move faster later.
Speed matters, but not at the expense of quality. Feasibility studies, or front-end loading (FEL), paired with cost estimating and early code reviews, allow teams to make informed assumptions and align stakeholders from the start. This kind of early clarity keeps projects on track, even with incomplete information, and shortens the overall timeline from concept to construction.
Strategic planning at the beginning is what makes fast, reliable delivery possible at the end.
These principles are reshaping how labs and facilities are delivered, not just in established science hubs like Boston and San Diego, but also in emerging startup clusters from Philadelphia to Houston to Chicago. Wherever discovery is happening, design has the power to accelerate it.
The race for the next breakthrough won’t be won only in research labs. It will be won in how boldly we design the places that house them. Every decision from front-end planning to modular systems gives a chance to speed discovery, scale faster, and bring life-saving therapies to the people who need them most.
