[[bpstrwcotob]]
Planning for Collaboration and Change in Lab Design
The University of Missouri’s forthcoming Energy Innovation Center offers a model for designing flexible, future-ready research facilities, with lessons on mission-driven planning, phased occupancy, user engagement, and spatial strategies that foster long-term interdisciplinary collaboration
Aggie Square and the Rise of Integrated Innovation Hubs
Aggie Square in Sacramento exemplifies a new model for innovation districts by blending academic, industry, and community uses within a flexible, all-electric research campus—prioritizing openness, sustainability, and stakeholder collaboration to deliver a high-performance, inclusive environment for next-generation research and development
Rebar Collapse Halts Work on University’s Engineering Lab Expansion
A structural rebar and post-tension cable collapse at the University of Victoria’s $89.6 million Engineering and Computer Science expansion site caused a temporary road closure and raised safety concerns, though no injuries were reported and investigations are ongoing to determine the cause and impact on the project timeline
Faced with NIH Funding Cuts, Universities Look to Reduce Research Facility Costs
Optimizing lab ventilation offers universities a high-impact strategy to lower energy use, meet carbon regulations, and improve research environments without the need for new construction
Planning with Lab Users for Complexity, Change, and Collaboration
Engaging researchers as creative partners from the start is essential to designing flexible, functional labs that reflect their ingenuity and support evolving scientific work for the long term
“Wait, This Isn’t What We Asked For”: A Lab End User’s Checklist for Successful Projects
Lab end users often have little say in design projects despite being most affected, but Dwayne Henry’s experience at Montgomery College—which he shared at the 2025 Lab Design Conference in Denver—shows that early involvement, clear communication, and ongoing engagement improve outcomes and help avoid costly mistakes
Boise State’s New Science Building Models Inclusive, Collaborative STEM Design
Boise State University is advancing STEM education with a new interdisciplinary science building—planned to open in 2029—that was shaped through extensive stakeholder input, strategic site selection, and a focus on flexible, inclusive spaces designed to support collaboration, accessibility, and growing student enrollment
Facility Design Insights from Mizzou’s Meat Science Laboratory Build
The planning and design of the Michael L. Parson Meat Science Laboratory at the University of Missouri offers practical insights for teams currently undertaking lab construction projects
University of Maine Launches Innovative GEM Research Facility
The University of Maine has broken ground on the GEM Factory of the Future, a cutting-edge research facility designed to integrate sustainable mass timber construction, AI-enabled manufacturing, and robotics within a highly precise, adaptable, and collaborative academic environment
Design Lessons from a Queen Conch Mobile Lab
Florida Atlantic University’s expanded Queen Conch Mobile Lab, supported by Chef José Andrés’ Longer Tables Fund, offers a scalable, community-driven model for aquaculture research and education, providing actionable lessons in modular design, local partnership, and flexible infrastructure for conservation-focused labs