From Siloed to Shared Labs: Optimizing Science Facilities for the Future

Science optimization provides a framework for designing flexible, efficient, collaborative, and future-ready science facilities. It replaces traditional siloed laboratory models with shared spaces, consolidated resources, and adaptable infrastructure.

The presentation will examine how optimization maximizes scientific value, functionality, and stewardship of available funds by reducing duplication, improving space utilization, lowering lifecycle costs, and enabling collaboration. It must be integrated throughout the project, from functional programming to design and implementation, with input from scientific and laboratory design experts.

Success depends on early, sustained stakeholder engagement, strong change management, and leadership support the transition to shared and flexible environments. Key lessons from major LabsCanada projects highlight the need to challenge established practices, make shared space the default, consider full lifecycle costs, address storage and legacy equipment early, and designing for adaptability.

While cultural resistance, security requirements, operational challenges, and uncertainty about future needs can pose challenges, they can be addressed through clear governance, modular design, training, and clear operational protocols. Ultimately, science optimization delivers resilient, high-performing laboratories that can evolve with scientific priorities while maximizing the value of investments.

Learning objectives:

1. Understand the purpose and value of science optimization: Participants will understand how science optimization improves laboratory design by maximizing scientific value, flexibility, collaboration, and efficient use of available resources, rather than simply reducing space or costs.
2. Apply optimization principles in planning and design: Participants will be able to identify opportunities to share spaces, equipment, and infrastructure, and apply optimization principles throughout the laboratory planning and design lifecycle.
3. Recognize the importance of change management and stakeholder engagement: Participants will understand how early communication, leadership alignment, and end-user engagement are critical to successfully implementing shared, adaptable, and collaborative science environments.
4. Evaluate laboratory designs for long-term performance and adaptability: Participants will be able to assess laboratory spaces using optimization criteria such as flexibility, shared use, workflow efficiency, lifecycle costs, sustainability, and readiness for future scientific and technological needs.