A Laboratory on Wheels: A Research Space Renovation at Texas Tech HSC

The pace of change in the modern laboratory environment is accelerating as scientific discovery and innovation in research techniques evolve. Texas Tech Health Science Center is adopting a new approach to flexible laboratory design in which furnishings, workspaces, walls, and laboratory services are movable and demountable, adapting to changing programmatic needs in days, not months.

The presentation team will walk the audience through the design and engineering process involved in implementing a fully flexible laboratory environment. This presentation will focus on an iterative process that evaluated specific mobile furnishing solutions, movable wall systems, and innovative mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and sanitary waste connection solutions that are demountable and support the mission of flexibility. A laboratory environment designed from day one to respond efficiently to rapid change at low cost can provide significant benefits for both the institution and its researchers.

Learning objectives:
1. Illustrate a novel design approach to the implementation of fully flexible research environments.
2. Identify the key mechanical and electrical engineering systems that create laboratory flexibility.
3. Explain a planning approach that helps to build consensus among multiple research groups.
4. Show specific strategies for the renovation of existing laboratories for rapid change.