Optimizing Lab Spaces: Construction-Driven Strategies for Minimal Downtime and Maximum Efficiency
Gavin Keith, Life Sciences Core Market Leader at DPR Construction, is co-author of this piece.
Labs are designed and built with a specific purpose: conducting research. But when research priorities shift or new technology emerges, adapting lab spaces can be a complex, expensive, and disruptive process. Infrastructure changes, including those to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems, can be challenging and risky.
The right construction strategies, like prefabrication, modular design, and flexible MEP systems, can turn those challenges into opportunities. Future-proofing lab spaces isn’t just about avoiding disruption—it’s about staying ahead and ensuring innovation never has to wait for infrastructure to catch up.
Understanding the challenges of lab renovations
Owners considering changes in these specialized environments must consider the unique infrastructure limitations, compliance requirements, and operational continuity.
Challenges typically include:
Budget constraints—Balancing financial resources while investing in necessary upgrades.
Space limitations—Adapting existing layouts to accommodate new workflows and equipment.
Regulatory compliance—Ensuring renovations meet evolving safety and operational standards.
Research continuity—Minimizing downtime to prevent disruptions to running critical experiments.
Stakeholder complexity—Coordinating input from researchers, facility managers, and compliance officers.
Addressing these challenges requires integrating construction expertise early in the planning process to avoid unnecessary delays and costly mistakes.
Leveraging construction-driven strategies for efficiency
Construction-based strategies offer practical and cost-effective solutions instead of solely concentrating on design modifications. Often, lab managers do not have complete visibility into the capabilities of their building systems, and for good reason; they prioritize building a space quickly to begin research. This is where having a contractor engaged early can help by surfacing opportunities in the foundational aspects of the space that could facilitate an easier modification and upgrade to the existing space. Engaging stakeholders upfront to identify space requirements can mitigate changes in scope that often lead to delays. It is also crucial to consider both short-term and long-term space utilization from the outset and identify effective construction strategies.
Prefabrication and modular solutions are effective ways to implement high-impact changes with minimal on-site disruption. By assembling components off-site, these strategies accelerate project timelines, enhance quality control, and reduce the need for intensive field labor. Prefabricated ceiling service panels, mechanical and electrical skids, and panelized cleanroom systems with integrated utilities streamline installation while maintaining research continuity.
Incorporating prefabrication also allows different project phases to move forward simultaneously. While off-site components are being constructed, on-site teams can focus on necessary site preparation, ensuring seamless installation when prefabricated components arrive. This reduces downtime, allowing research operations to resume quickly and efficiently.
Beyond modular and prefabrication strategies, infrastructure upgrades can also play a key role in improving lab efficiency without requiring a full overhaul. HVAC systems are vital for lab operations but can cause issues when they require major changes. Switching to variable air volume systems can enhance airflow and save energy, which lowers long-term costs. Increasing electrical capacity helps support new research technologies. Using smart building controls allows for better monitoring of energy use and overall operations. A well-planned upgrade strategy can prevent labs from facing expensive emergency fixes down the line.
In complex environments where every minute—and dollar—counts, it’s also worth considering the value a self-performing general contractor can bring. While there are many qualified trade partners who can perform technical work, having a team that frequently works in research and other life sciences environments can be an extra value-add.
Minimizing downtime through smart phasing
In research environments disruptions can have ripple effects lasting long beyond project completion. That’s why a well-planned approach to renovations is critical to keep projects on track. Smart phasing strategies help align construction with research schedules, minimizing disruptions while maximizing efficiency.
A well-executed method-of-procedure (MOP) planning process is crucial to coordinating shutdowns and transitions. Leveraging Virtual Design & Construction (VDC) and 3D modeling technology’s integration with laser scanning builds an accurate assessment of existing conditions to prevent conflicts before work begins and can be used to develop the most efficient workflow of activities.
Another consideration is timing. Scheduling disruptive work during nighttime or off-peak hours further reduces interference with ongoing research activities. Coordinating material deliveries at the right times prevents disruptions to the ongoing facility operations and allows facilities and construction teams to work more efficiently.
Underestimating the complexity of phasing is a common pitfall in laboratory renovations. Too often, a planned short-term shutdown turns into a prolonged delay because of unforeseen conditions. Phasing must be developed in lockstep with research operations, ensuring that critical experiments are not interrupted. This means engaging with lab managers and researchers early in the process, mapping out when specific work can take place, and identifying contingency plans for any unexpected complications. Well-executed phasing strategies not only maintain facility operations but also improve overall project efficiency and minimize downtown for research.
Future-proofing labs for next-generation research
A well-designed lab should not only meet current needs but also support future advancements. Flexible layouts, like modular workstations and mobile equipment, make it easier to adapt as research evolves. Expanding mechanical and electrical capacity ensures the space can handle high-powered research equipment and automation technologies.
Planning ahead also means anticipating potential changes in regulatory standards and sustainability requirements. For example, transitioning to all-electric utilities and optimizing HVAC performance can improve energy efficiency while aligning with evolving environmental regulations. Making these investments during a renovation rather than in response to a compliance mandate helps labs avoid rushed, high-priced retrofits in the future.
Taking a proactive approach to infrastructure upgrades not only ensures regulatory compliance but also improves long-term efficiency. Adding capacity for future electrical demand, integrating smart building controls, and designing for adaptability can help labs seamlessly scale. By making these strategic investments early, research spaces can avoid expensive last-minute modifications and stay ahead of operational challenges.
Conclusion
Renovating lab spaces is more than upgrading physical space for the next generation of science and continue conducting experiments. It’s about looking at the bigger picture and understanding the benefits of smart construction strategies to avoid disruptions to critical research work. Prefabrication solutions, infrastructure upgrades, and phased implementation can help labs stay operational while adapting to new demands and technologies.
Just as important is involving the right people early and throughout the process. When lab managers, researchers, design, and construction teams collaborate, the needs of those using and maintaining the space are prioritized in the renovation. This level of coordination helps prevent costly delays, keeps research on track, and ensures that labs are ready for future advancements, technology shifts, regulatory compliance updates, and changing research priorities.
A well-planned lab renovation does more than update a space. It provides researchers with the flexibility, reliability, and resources they need to continue making advancements and breakthroughs for years to come.
Gavin Keith, co-author of this piece, is a Life Sciences Core Market Leader at DPR Construction. With extensive experience in laboratory construction and renovation, he specializes in integrating construction-driven solutions that enhance research environments, improve efficiency, and ensure long-term adaptability.
