Silicon Desert: Lab of the Future

South Mountain Community College, Life and Physical Science Building

Arizona is an attractive market for life sciences companies. With economic incentives, lower cost of living, and opportunity to connect with major health and education systems, there are many reasons for these companies to move to the state and expand their business. To support the growth of life science companies, it’s important to address the industry’s infrastructure needs.

There are several pathways that can have an impact on today’s “lab of the future,” including the development of the new “science village,” digital migration, and the convergence of science and technology.

The New ‘Science Village’

As the Valley’s life sciences market continues its dynamic growth, the need to develop mixed-use, amenity-rich spaces that cater not only to the scientific workforce but also to their broader needs has become increasingly important. Beyond the building and development opportunities, providing the necessary infrastructure for this new “science village” — including housing, scaled investment opportunities and basic resources — is crucial. 

Already, Arizona has established this key infrastructure for bioscience and science neighborhoods across the Valley, which only continue to grow. One of these neighborhoods is being spearheaded by the healthcare giant Mayo Clinic. Mayo’s new Discovery Oasis is a planned biotechnology innovation hub that sits adjacent to Mayo’s established Phoenix hospital. Spanning 120 acres, Discovery Oasis will become a true “science village” that merges commercial, research and lab development, and education with its connections to Arizona State University.

Digital Migration

Laboratories and science organizations are embracing the full integration of artificial intelligence, virtual reality and super-computing. The migration of these advancements into the built environment is impacting everything from laboratory planning to patient welfare. There is a need to increase the rate of development of these spaces as well as a need to ensure flexibility as advancements continue to evolve.

For example, lab space requirements are shrinking as the assistance of AI and aggregated data reduce the need for lab runs. In Phoenix, post-pandemic, there has been a shift in office-to-lab ratios from 50:50 to 60:40.

These new program requirements affect how life sciences companies are adapting their operations and hiring expectations. As labs become digitized, these upgrades impact how scientists and researchers approach their work, which, in turn, impacts the spatial type and functionality they will need.

The need for flexible space is a crucial factor for how we design science and laboratory environments. We can’t simply design lab space for today’s needs. Instead, we need to plan for built-in flexibility so a space will meet user needs 30 years in the future.

The Convergence of Science and Technology 

The convergence of science and technology brings substantial cultural shifts to the way science organizations work and the expectations they place on their employees. Companies will need to rethink their value proposition to ensure a seamless blend of culture that supports the diverse needs of each department, while encouraging cross-pollination to promote innovation of ideas.

As science and tech employees come together, there will be a certain expectation around the workplace offerings to compete with tech firms that are known for their highly amenitized workplaces. Science companies will look toward organizations like Apple, Meta and Amazon as new benchmarks for how to create impactful workspaces for employees. 

In Gensler’s 2023 U.S. Laboratory Research Scientist Survey, we found that well-designed laboratory settings that prioritize key spaces such as lounges, multi-use benches and convenient drop-in spaces for write-ups will improve a lab’s overall performance, satisfaction and pride of its users. Insights from this survey highlight that lab users are positively impacted by spaces that allow for greater flexibility and enhance their overall experience.

The integration of technology-focused roles into laboratory design is not just reshaping the physical spaces but also catalyzing how scientists conduct research. This fusion of the old and new holds the potential to redefine the boundaries of scientific exploration. 

Moreover, the “Lab of the Future” transcends the confines of scientific pursuit; it is poised to be a cornerstone of sustainable development, promoting environmental consciousness and social responsibility through design and conscientious construction practices.   

Jay Silverberg is a nationally recognized architect and design leader who brings more than 30 years of experience to his role as design principal in the Gensler Phoenix office. He has collaborated on projects throughout Arizona and the Southwest. He applies his specialized expertise in large-scale, technically intricate projects, and is known for creating design solutions that embrace local context and are sympathetic to the survival of the unique Sonoran Desert environment.

Benjamin Ayers is a design leader, project architect and design manager who brings more than 20 years of experience to his projects. His work ranges in scale from small residences to urban-scale master plans and in typologies from small streetscape interventions to complex healthcare projects. Ayers’ experience working with stakeholders to facilitate a common vision allows him to bridge the design and visioning of the project with the production of the final documentation and deliverables.