Workplace strategy may not be the first thing that comes to mind in the design of a laboratory building; however, it is an essential element in the creation of a productive and efficient research environment. After all, laboratory work is only one part of the research process and—just like any other industry—when it comes to recruitment and retention of top talent, individuals are certainly considering the total work setting when assessing new opportunities.

The key to workplace strategy success is to create an environment that will be a win-win for researchers and for the client/owner alike. Cost, maintenance and spatial efficiencies must be baked into the design, while principal investigators should be encouraged to develop a sense of ownership over their space through options to customize it to their needs. Gary Cabo, lab planner and principal at ZGF, outlines the latest thinking on workplace strategies for the lab environment represented at Arizona State University’s Biodesign Institute C.

Read the full article originally published by Lab Manager here.