Lab Design Conference Speaker Profiles: Andrew Schunke and Diana Rosenthal
Diana Rosenthal, principal with Architectus in Adelaide, Australia
Andrew Schunke and Diana Rosenthal, principals with Architectus in Adelaide, Australia, will be speaking at the 2025 Lab Design Conference in Denver, CO. Andrew and Diana’s session, “Enhancing Research Outcomes Through Sustainable and Innovative Lab Design,” will take place on May 13 at 12:30pm.
Their presentation will explore how Flinders University's Health and Medical Research Building integrates sustainability and innovation into laboratory design, achieving Gold WELL and LEED certifications while operating on 100 percent renewable electricity. Andrew and Diana will discuss key design elements, including adaptable PC2 and BC2 labs, strong site connectivity reflecting First Nations cultural narratives, and biophilic principles that enhance researcher wellbeing. The session will highlight how these strategies create a collaborative, high-performance research environment while setting new benchmarks for sustainable lab design.
Lab Design News recently interviewed Andrew and Diana to discuss the relevance of their session in today's lab design industry, the real-world examples they’ll be sharing during their talk, and how they plan to make the most of their trip to the US once the Lab Design Conference is over. Register today to secure your seat in the audience for their session!
Q: How is your Lab Design Conference talk particularly relevant to today’s laboratory design landscape?
A: In today’s laboratory design landscape, attracting top researchers and fostering groundbreaking discoveries requires more than just cutting-edge technical spaces. Our talk will explore how modern labs must prioritize occupant wellness and sustainability to create environments that support both physical and mental wellbeing.
Particularly balancing biophilic design with functional workspaces and the specifications of the highly controlled, sterile environments. By embracing these principles, laboratory spaces can become not only high-performing research hubs but also places where researchers thrive holistically, ensuring long-term success for both individuals and institutions.
Q: What are some key takeaways that attendees can expect from your session, and how can they apply these lessons to their own lab projects?
A: Attendees of our session can expect to gain valuable insights into how placing people at the center of every design decision leads to more effective, sustainable, and inspiring laboratory space.
Q: Can you share a case study or real-world example that you’ll be discussing during your Lab Design Conference talk, and how it reflects current trends in lab design?
A: During our Lab Design Conference talk, we will highlight Flinders University’s Health and Medical Research Building (HMRB) as a case study that embodies current trends in lab design. This facility integrates cutting-edge research spaces with a strong emphasis on occupant well-being, flexibility, and sustainability.
A key takeaway from this project is the importance of stakeholder engagement—over 250 sessions were conducted to ensure the design met the needs of researchers, clinicians, and students. The result is a highly adaptable environment featuring biophilic design, natural light integration, and visual connectivity, enhancing collaboration and mental well-being.
The modular lab layouts, ghost corridors, and ceiling-hung service spines allow for seamless reconfiguration as research needs to evolve. Sustainability was a priority, with 100 percent renewable energy use, WELL Gold, and LEED certification targets.
Andrew Schunke, principal with Architectus in Adelaide, Australia
This case study demonstrates how labs can balance technical excellence with human-centered design to create thriving research communities.
Q: Why is it important for professionals involved in lab design and operations to attend your session, and how will it help them stay ahead of industry trends?
A: Professionals involved in lab design and operations should attend our session to gain firsthand insights into how flexibility, occupant well-being, and digital connectivity are shaping the future of laboratory environments.
We’ll be presenting Flinders University Health and Medical Research Building (HMRB) as an exemplar of modern lab design. With WiredScore Platinum certification, the building is future-proofed with cutting-edge digital infrastructure, ensuring seamless connectivity for evolving research needs. The HMRB is the first medical research institute in the world to receive this rating!
Q: What kinds of hobbies or interests do you have outside of work?
Andrew: Enjoying time outdoors with my family, karate, and tennis.
Diana: Mothering my 13- year-old daughter and 11 year-old son keeps me busy, and I take great pride in coaching their sports teams—netball, cricket, and soccer. When I’m not on the sidelines, I love spending time along the South Australian coast, whether relaxing at the beach or exploring the region’s beautiful vineyards.
Q: What is your favorite vacation spot?
Andrew: The extremes of either snow and skiing (Japan most recently) or sun and beaches (heading to Hawaii after the conference).
Diana: What a tough question to answer! I also have a deep love for the stunning Croatian coastline, especially Hvar, and the tropical beauty of Far North Queensland. Closer to home, my favorite spots include Port Noarlunga Beach and the picturesque Riverland along the Murray River in South Australia. After the conference, I’m especially excited to visit Yosemite for the first time—and, of course, explore the nearby Rockies!
Q: What are you most looking forward to about your first Lab Design Conference?
We’re excited to bring back fresh perspectives that can be applied to future projects while also sharing our own experiences to contribute to the collective learning.
Register today to reserve your ticket!
