Your Guide to Stress Free Lab Renovation

In the ever-advancing world of today’s medical laboratories, the topic of renovation is bound to come up eventually. The fast-paced nature of science demands that facilities stay up to date, and your lab will benefit most from a redesign that focuses on adaptability and efficiency first. If you plan to have your space renovated, there are several different factors to consider to maximize benefits for the lab, its workers, and your patients.

Find the Weak Points

The first step in a successful renovation plan is to identify any weaknesses your facility might have. Since your budget probably isn’t unlimited, the key areas that need improvement have to be determined and set up as the core of your new plan.

Make sure you have some kind of contingency plan built into the budget to cover any unforeseen issues – especially if your lab building is quite old. Conduct a thorough investigation of the lab and compile a list of top upgrades to make sure you stay within your budget.

Take Stock of the Equipment

A comprehensive review of your lab’s equipment is crucial to maximizing efficiency and ensuring that you have the tools to continue operating and thriving in the future. Everything from an old HVAC system to outdated lighting technology contributes to unnecessary energy drains every month. Replacing inefficient systems such as these not only improves your overall infrastructure and cuts costs, but it also makes the laboratory more eco-friendly (and as a result, bolsters its image to people both inside and out).

Remember the Value of Space

Although your lab likely has expensive equipment inside of it, the most valuable asset to consider during a renovation is often the space itself. One of the reasons labs get out of date so quickly is because of rigid, inefficient designs that cater to very specific uses and lack flexibility.

Because of this, any quality redesign should provide room for further adaptation in the future as your needs continue to change – all while making sure that when these changes do occur, they aren’t so drastic that they shut operations down for extended periods of time.

The best way to ensure adaptability is to implement a modular design, such as with modular casework. There are many benefits to this approach, including ease of installation, reduced installation costs, and – most importantly – a reduction in the cost of future reconfiguration.

Planning an open lab also gives you more flexibility, allowing for easier movement and configuration when used in tandem with modular lab furniture. Limiting the amount of space dedicated to a specific lab type that’s not usable for other disciplines also helps boost efficiency and save money.

A Flexible and Efficient Redesign

If you’re considering a lab renovation, be sure to take stock of your current space and equipment to ensure a proper overhaul that won’t break the budget. Labds has assisted hundreds of labs in the redesign process delivering solutions that are customized, within budget and adaptable for the future. When planning out the new space, keep open and modular concepts in mind to help you invest in timeless designs that are flexible and adapt along with the rapid changes in science and technology. The result will be a facility that’s designed efficiently and functions effectively for long-term use.