Event Preview: Lab Design Digital Conference—Optimize and Upgrade Your Lab
On October 21, design professionals, lab planners, and researchers will convene online for the Lab Design Digital Conference. This free virtual event will explore the latest ideas shaping today’s laboratory environments. With three expert-led webinars, this year’s program will focus on shared lab design, robotics and automation, and research-driven strategies for better-performing spaces.
Each webinar is eligible for AIA continuing education credit, and participants are encouraged to bring their questions to engage directly with presenters during live sessions.
Can’t make it on the 21st? No problem—registrants will also receive free on-demand access to all presentations after the event. Sign up now for access!
Kelly Sullivan, PhD, of CIC
Designing Shared Lab Spaces: Balancing Functionality, Collaboration, and Future-Proofing
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET
Presenter: Kelly Sullivan, PhD
Shared laboratory spaces have become a defining feature of today’s research and innovation ecosystems. As organizations look to maximize resources, promote collaboration, and enable flexibility, shared labs present exciting opportunities—but also unique design challenges.
In this session, Kelly Sullivan, PhD, of CIC explores the fundamentals of designing for multiple user groups with different goals, workflows, and equipment needs. The presentation will delve into space optimization, safety considerations, and communication strategies that keep shared environments running smoothly. Attendees will also learn how to future-proof shared spaces through adaptable layouts, modular systems, and flexible infrastructure that can evolve alongside emerging technologies and research priorities.
By the end of this session, participants will understand how to design shared labs that foster collaboration while maintaining efficiency, safety, and adaptability—a crucial skill set as institutions and startups alike embrace more dynamic, community-focused research models.
🌟Kelly will lead a workshop at the 2026 Lab Design Conference in Orlando, FL, on the topic of Collaborative Lab Planning: Aligning Space Design with Real-World Workflows. Tickets are now available—this workshop is an add-on to your conference ticket and spots are limited, so register today to secure your spot!
Automation in Action: Real-World Lessons from Robotics-Driven Lab Projects
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. ET
Presenter: Matthew Decker
Matthew Decker of CRB
As robotics and automation technologies continue to redefine the research landscape, laboratory planners are under increasing pressure to design spaces that can adapt to rapid technological change. In this session, Matthew Decker of CRB will share real-world lessons from automation-driven projects, offering attendees practical strategies for creating labs that are future-ready, cost-efficient, and resilient to change.
Topics include how to plan for equipment replacement cycles, purchase automation-compatible instruments early, and design flexible zones that can accommodate evolving workflows. Decker will also discuss how reconfigurable casework and adaptable utilities can help reduce construction downtime and avoid costly redesigns.
Through insights drawn from active projects, this webinar highlights the value of incremental improvements, helping planners understand how to balance innovation with budget constraints and operational realities. Whether you’re in the early stages of planning or upgrading an existing lab, this session will provide tools for integrating automation without disruption.
Cathy Bell of NBBJ
Driving Effective Research Spaces Through Targeted Design Strategies
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET
Presenters: Cathy Bell and Luke Laverty
Not every research improvement requires a new building. In this session, Cathy Bell and Luke Laverty of NBBJ demonstrate how targeted design interventions—from small retrofits to large-scale renovations—can have a transformative impact on lab performance and user satisfaction.
Drawing on data from The Future Lab Survey, which captures scientists’ perspectives on their work environments, the speakers will share insights into what researchers value most in their spaces: flexibility, sustainability, and collaboration. With findings showing that 65 percent of scientists consider building design when choosing an employer, the presentation will underscore how thoughtful design can directly influence recruitment, retention, and productivity.
Luke Laverty of NBBJ
Through case studies from both the US and the UK, attendees will explore design solutions that scale—from hybrid work accommodations and energy-efficient upgrades to spatial layouts that encourage communication and teamwork. Participants will leave with practical strategies for enhancing research spaces of any size or budget, grounded in real-world lessons and user-driven data.
Join the conversation
Whether you’re an architect, lab planner, engineer, facility manager, or researcher, the Lab Design Digital Conference offers valuable insights into the trends shaping scientific environments today and tomorrow.
Each one-hour session combines expert knowledge, practical case studies, and interactive discussion, giving attendees the opportunity to ask questions and share their own experiences.
Registration is free, and all sessions are available both live and on demand. Don’t miss this opportunity to earn AIA continuing education credit and stay ahead of the curve in laboratory design innovation.
Register now for the Lab Design Digital Conference on October 21, 2025, and join us in a day of learning, inspiration, and dialogue on the future of lab environments.
