Get the Most from Your Lab Design DollarSmart planning can make new or renovated lab projects more cost-effective.by Roland Lazzarotto, AIA, Ellerbe Becket
In today's world of escalating construction costs and a turbulent economy, having a plan in place to ensure predictability and cost-containment is important more than ever. Without one, it is easy to exceed your budget and end up with sub-optimal space. This is especially true when developing lab spaces, where the costs vary from $200 to more than $1,000 per square foot.
Ellerbe Becket's Science and Technology practice in San Francisco has worked on numerous laboratory designs. As a director at Ellerbe Becket, I completed a series of projects for one client that included 14 different labs during a four-year period, providing the experience and lessons needed to create an effective plan for maximizing cost efficiencies. By employing some of the following basic approaches, pharmaceutical, biotech, and other scientific organizations can work with designers to reduce their costs while meeting space requirements and realizing a top-quality product. Start with standards
Doug Austin
By creating a set of standards, lab managers and designers can quickly establish basic lab layouts and strategies and streamline the timeframe for a lab constructon project.
| One of the most basic ways a lab project manager can ensure cost efficiency is to choose an architect who has designed lab space before and, drawing from that experience, uses a set of pre-determined standards that provide predictability and reduce the risk of mistakes, saving time and money. In a recent series of projects, our team reduced delivery time during design and construction, which translated into overall savings for the clients.
By using a set of standards, many design decisions have already been made, including basic layout strategies and sustainable goals, lab casework, and finishes such as carpet and vinyl. Having this work completed in advance will streamline the traditional timeframe for developing a project from scratch.
While this may sound cookie-cutter, these final decisions have been vetted over time and represent the best of many choices. Of course, even when creating a lab based on a set of standards, modifications can be made depending on the needs of a particular project. By utilizing our experience, a good design firm can solve most of these additional client requirements with economical choices. Further, the set of standards can go beyond design and be applied to the actual suppliers and installers—increasing confidence in the final cost and outcome.Work with team players
Doug Austin
Generic labs will already have basic requirements in place, including ceiling and lights, floor finishes, and casework. Custom features can be added as budget line items.
| Using an architect with established relationships and a consistent team of professionals is another factor that will keep costs low. Most architects work on projects with the same key players, including the building owner, general contractor and many sub-contractors. Working on a team where people know and trust one another promotes quick decision-making and expedites the project. In our case, our team learned from initial projects how to speak the same language.
For example, sometimes working with legal departments to get a contract signed can take longer than completing the project itself. While I do not recommend skipping due diligence, teams that have worked together can help hasten some of those steps, saving time and money. Often work can begin before the contractor gives full and final estimates because we trust each other and are confident about the ultimate cost.
In cases that require renovating space in buildings with existing tenants, we have incorporated the building operations personnel into our team so that we could implement the most effective work-around, causing the least amount of inconvenience to current tenants while maintaining an aggressive construction schedule.
However, finding architects with this kind of team may not be possible for all clients, especially when a building owner is already in place. But most architects should have trusted contractors and key sub-contractors they can bring on board. Working with these existing relationships can help you choose the right design team and get the most from your project budget.Leverage generic labs
Doug Austin
Eliminating walls within a lab enables scientists to work side-by-side, allowing them to contribute complementary skills and knowledge and share expensive support functions.
| Buying or leasing generic lab space is another way to achieve cost savings and help manage the expectations of lab managers and workers who need to get the most functionality and aesthetic design out of their space. A generic lab will have basic requirements in place: ceiling and lights, floor finishes, wall paint, cabinets, lab tops, extra-wide doors and windows. Customizable items like fume hoods, autoclaves, walk-in refrigeration, gas piping, cleanrooms and vivariums can be added as extra budget line items.
When our team designs generic lab space, we do not include private offices or conference rooms. These can be added later, but starting with open office space is more cost effective. Equally important, clients want workspaces that are flexible so staff and scientists can shift teams quickly and efficiently. Differentiating workspaces for chemists or biologists, for example, can impact collaboration. While an open design breaks the traditional mold, more and more labs are incorporating this look today. Flexibility is critical in research. Eliminating walls enables scientists to work side-by-side, allowing them to contribute complementary skills and knowledge and share expensive support functions.
The experience of the architect should also be considered. Architects who have interviewed lab workers and understand what happens in a lab space will be more adept at designing a space that will maximize flexibility.
Another point to consider is whether the lab space is located in a newly constructed building designed specifically for laboratory use or in an office or other type of building that has been converted. The latter is more expensive, and costs are generally passed on to the user. For example, the floor-to-floor height of an office building is tight for a laboratory. The ventilation and exhaust systems must be carefully organized and modified to match the existing shafts and vertical penetrations. Hazardous materials may need to be isolated and exhaust systems modified to handle greater air volume than a typical office structure. It is important, therefore, to compare space costs in a building designed for labs versus one that has been converted. You might end up paying a premium for the conversion.Rigorous lab programmingFor each client, laboratory space and requirements must be identified and gathered from all of the lab users. This information is then entered into a requirements program, which is used throughout the project as a yardstick to measure whether the project will deliver the expected goals. The time spent doing this at the beginning of the project will be repaid in later stages.
Design programming for lab space is critical. A good program document cuts down on "scope creep" and prevents design omissions. It is also important to make sure you have an architect who knows the issues, listens to your specific needs, documents them and delivers on those versus a designer who wants to solve the problem before fully understanding it. Through a thoughtful programming process, generic labs can become the perfect "custom" fit. Adding drains, 240-V electricity or other features may require costly change orders that can be avoided. The worst case is a design that does not work and needs significant redesign to be functional or meet codes.
When you are ready to look for an architect, make sure you ask about past lab or related experience, standards, experience with generic labs, and how the programming process works. Make sure you have these cost-saving bases covered as well as a creative team who will work toward original, customized solutions for your specific needs.
Roland Lazzarotto, Director, Science and Technology, Ellerbe Becket-San Francisco, can be contacted via E-mail at roland.lazzarotto@ellerbebecket.com or call 415-908-6105.
A version of this article was also published in the January 2009 issue of Advantage Business Media's Laboratory Design. OnlineFor additional information on the company discussed in this article, visit www.ellerbebecket.com.
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