Author: Aaron Budai
Sometimes when we are asked to quote on jobs, we hear from potential clients that their local joinery shop, specialising mainly in domestic kitchens, has provided a price and, it is much cheaper than what we are offering. To this, my answer is that you get what you pay for.
Breaking it down to its simplest components, the building of a laboratory doesn’t look too dissimilar to the elements required to build a domestic kitchen. It is cabinetry, benchtops, and sinks, with a vinyl floor, a lick of paint on the walls, new lighting and power points, and some plumbing. We’re done, right? Well, not really.
I would argue that the savings generated from this approach lead to a false economy because often you find that the outcome is far from optimal. Initially, a generic lab may only be perceived as a mild inconvenience. However, the shortcomings tend to become more pronounced over time, significantly impacting the investment’s lifetime payback.
Below I detail some of the key pitfalls and explore with you the value of having a specialist lab design partner when building a new lab.
Simply put, making ill-informed choices can impact the efficacy of the work completed in the laboratory. The obvious example we see is a lack of appreciation for:
Beyond laboratory furniture, the more significant and harder-to-fix issue relates to Mechanical services (HVAC, fume and particulates extraction).
Generally, when a local joiner is quoting to build a lab, they approach the project the same way they would a kitchen, building in fixed furniture. This is far from ideal in a modern lab of any type, both from the perspective of cleaning and flexibility.
Labs are expensive to build, and scientific testing, processes and workflows change constantly. Ensuring the furniture and services locations are flexible enough to adjust to these changes should be a key consideration for any lab build.
At a minimum, a well-designed laboratory must consider and design for:
There are occasions when practicality and compliance clash, but simply understanding where those clashes may reside is half the battle.
Companies need a design that meets the Australian Standards and BCA. However, there are instances where the lab’s design benefits from industry best practices that may not be regulatory requirements.
Best practice design elements will benefit the lab’s users. In many instances, these elements will provide a better, safer and more efficient work environment that exceeds statutory requirements.
A company’s requirements often include NATA and certifications from overseas bodies such as the USA’s FDA. This is a crucial decision for companies to make at the start of the project and can impact the commercial outcomes of the lab environment. Understanding which statutory requirements need to be adhered to is crucial, as this will influence the design, material selection and finishes of the laboratory.
At Amicus Labline, our team has over 50 years of combined experience in laboratory design, so there is not much we haven’t seen. We make suggestions regarding layout, flow, furniture, finishes, materials and services that can only come with experience. This ensures we design and build a flexible, compliant, fit-for-purpose laboratories.
Additionally, all these years of experience mean we have the knowledge to challenge your lab team’s approach and can provide input to critically value engineer a suitable solution for your lab.
Laboratory cost tends to be driven by functionality and compliance. There is no question that both these criteria impact the budget, but I would argue that ignoring them will hurt you in the long term. Whether it is because what you have built isn’t fit for purpose, can’t easily adapt to changing business requirements, or worse still, a lack of consideration for compliance leads to personal injury.
Laboratory builds are a material investment which have a length of useful life very different from a typical office fitout. Once this is accepted then the value of engaging a lab design specialist from the outset will be recognised as money well spent.
About Aaron Budai
Aaron’s family has been designing and fitting out laboratories for over 35 years. He spent his summer and university holidays either working in joinery workshops building the lab furniture or onsite helping out with the installation. Needless to say, he has a comprehensive knowledge of the design and delivery of laboratory projects. Aaron holds a Bachelor of Economics and is a qualified Accountant, he enjoys engaging with our Clients to understand their requirements and challenges, and he prides himself on finding solutions that work well for all stakeholders.
Interested to know how our Labline team can help? Visit our laboratory design dedicated website page or click here to book a chat with Aaron.
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