Planning and Building Laboratories: A Collaboration among Many

Abstract

Designing and constructing a safe laboratory building is a task that requires a large team. Much of the laboratory safety planning is addressed by the needs expressed by the teaching faculty representative and the responses of the lab planner, an architect with specialized knowledge of chemical laboratory specifics such as hoods, casework, chemical storage, and ventilation. This Article describes the thought processes and interaction between the faculty representative and lab planner starting with the conception of the idea to renovate a building formerly used as a library. Identifying the overarching goals sets the stage. The planning process then changes to identifying the facilities and equipment needed to achieve these goals, later adding specifications and details. Laboratory planning and construction evolves in phases that begin with architect selection and end with the completion of the punch list. The authors also reflect on the project and how the interaction of the faculty representative and planner continued, even after the project was complete.