Six Considerations for Choosing the Right Design Partner
By: Altair Galgana-Wood
Image Courtesy of Peter Molick
For the sciences, the ability to produce high-quality results, the flexibility to adapt to change, and ensuring the safety of occupants have always been paramount. With growing interest in the sciences, developments in processes and technology, and refreshed priorities from the pandemic, we have the unprecedented opportunity to accommodate more flexible modes of work, focus on occupant wellness, and plan for economic and ecological sustainability. We have an opportunity to rethink how the built environment supports new ways of working.
With so much change, where do you start when you are ready to reimagine or renovate your lab spaces? Each type of science requires a different design approach and bench of expertise. Here are the six key considerations when selecting a design partner.
#1. A team that has relevant experience
Altair Galgana-Wood
No two lab projects are the same. Factors specific to a project - the science being performed, the project budget and schedule, the relationship between the ownership, design, and construction team, etc. - will produce unique outcomes. When evaluating a design team, look for the overall relevance of experience and similar project contexts.
Likewise, no two lab designers are the same. Most designers will come from multiple fields of expertise due to the relative newness of lab architecture as a project type. Look at projects the firm is actively working on and the designers’ lab experience. Many designers will develop specializations in lab types that are the primary industries in their city, for example, Houston with energy and petrochemicals, Boston with life sciences, and San Francisco with technology.
Many companies may state they know how to plan and design labs, or believe it is similar to another project type, and quickly find themselves out of their depth. A university science classroom is different from a genetic testing lab, and a computational test-build lab is not the same as an ISO-rated cleanroom.
Ask the design team:
Does the design firm have a sciences division?
Can they outline their design process? How do they program and document their labs? Ask for examples.
Request past project references and contact those clients for feedback or a tour of the project. Are they happy with the results?
#2. A team with experts not just in labs, but all relevant typologies
With ongoing changes in the industry, such as the adoption of automation and the shift towards computational analysis and predictive modeling, the need for containment and chemical use has decreased, blurring the boundary between "labs" and "workspaces". Lab work no longer needs to be done exclusively in enclosed wet labs to produce high-quality science. Collaboration across a wider breadth of expertise opens possibilities of incorporating best practices and innovations from other project types often located within lab spaces. These include offices, amenity centers, computational server rooms, and industrial manufacturing facilities.
In addition, there are experts who can assist with defining new modes of work, strategic planning, and aligning company and end-user needs and goals. A good design partner is an expert in spaces, but a great design partner collaborates to drive the impactful transformation of environments, experience, and performance.
Ask the design team:
Can they provide current trends in the industry and how they have responded to them?
Request a recent project that addressed organizational goals, such as employee retention, cross-pollination, and job satisfaction. How did the design help meet or exceed those goals?
#3. A team that is eager to learn and has diverse backgrounds
Work with a team that will challenge assumptions that may no longer be true or applicable and are open to new possibilities. Teams that approach projects from the perspective of continual learning will be better prepared to tackle current and future issues that companies face. These include changes in the economy, the industry, and larger societal issues, such as sustainability, equity, and inclusion.
Having a multi-faceted approach to problem-solving and presenting a myriad of perspectives not only spurs innovation but also minimizes the risk of blind spots in the project that would otherwise lead to incomplete or insufficient design solutions for the project. A successful design will address your current and future workforce and business needs.
Ask the design team:
What are examples of their lessons learned from past projects and how did they share takeaways with the design team?
Talk about an unusual request or problem they have encountered. How did they arrive at a solution?
How did they adjust to changing project requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic?
#4. A team that has a local presence
There are advantages to a locally based design team. They have existing knowledge of local codes and amendments, existing relationships with local governing bodies, consultants, and contractors, and familiarity with the permitting process. They have an awareness of local trends, such as planned developments and competing projects, and a better understanding of cost indexes for similar project types in the market.
During construction, it is ideal for the designer who is conducting regular site visits to be engaged with the design process from the very beginning. The more involved they are with programming and documentation efforts, the more mindful they can be of the project’s design intent and better prepared to identify potential issues and recommend appropriate solutions that protect the interests of the owner.
Ask the design team:
Will the direct project contact be based locally? What is their experience level with this typology? Will they be involved in the design process?
Who will be performing site visits? Who will be leading communication with local entities, contractors, and vendors?
#5. A team that you can work with long-term
Sciences and labs are constantly evolving and must plan for short- and long-term needs, with changes that minimize disruption to ongoing operations and processes. There are advantages to working with a team that is fluent in the project’s history and the company’s requirements. When you change design and construction teams, projects will have an increased risk of inefficiencies from loss of information and additional time needed to re-verify existing conditions.
Aging labs are increasingly more complex and more expensive to maintain and renovate. Lab renovation is like surgery; it needs to be done precisely and is most successful with an existing “medical history” — an ongoing relationship, current documentation, consistent design intent, and established team dynamics increase the probability of a successful project.
Ask the design team:
Which team members will be engaged in the process during design, documentation, and construction administration?
How long has the team worked together?
Does the team conduct project post-mortems and follow-up visits with their past clients?
#6. A warning on "low bidders"
Lab projects are higher-risk projects with higher fees than most project typologies. As a result, many designers, contractors, and vendors are trying to "break into" the market. Unusually low bids can indicate a company is trying to undercut the competition to expand its current market share, break into the market, or display a lack of awareness of what it truly takes to execute the project. Efforts to correct work will incur additional costs.
To avoid such a scenario, make sure to:
Review the proposals closely for services included and any critical exclusions. What portions of the work will the design team, ownership team, and general contractor be responsible for?
Read the design team’s resumes and make sure the team listed on the proposal is the same one that will work on your project.
Check the firm’s past projects for proof of expertise and do not hesitate to ask questions.
Conclusion
A true design partner not only works for you but also works with you to help meet your current and future business needs. Project success is maximized when partnering with design teams that have expertise in labs and relevant typologies, who, listen, learn, and offer diverse perspectives, and with whom you can form a long-term partnership. Working with the right design partner empowers your team to improve, innovate, and rise to the challenges that lie ahead.