March 3, 2005

Form follows function, even for biotech

Photos by John Durant ‘Third places’ — gathering areas away from private offices or laboratories — allow scientists, shown here in a $74 million Gladstone Institutes building in San Francisco, to collaborate.

While medical and technological advances are causing continual flux within the biotechnology industry, the designs of the facilities in which scientists and researchers perform their work have remained relatively unchanged. Only in recent years — as biotech has expanded in the Puget Sound region — have such buildings in our area begun to blossom, bringing with them design elements that speak specifically to the nuances of the industry.

Biotech companies have historically made do with retrofitted warehouses or renovated office buildings to house their laboratories and research space, opting to funnel the bulk of their resources into the study of their science. Regions in which the biotech industry is now being recognized for its market potential — San Francisco, San Diego and Cambridge, Mass., for example — have recognized the benefits tailored biotech space can provide. Seattle — with a growing biotech hotbed in the South Lake Union area — is beginning to do the same.

With new construction comes the opportunity to design to the trade; to essentially start from scratch and create a facility that not only accommodates equipment but encourages efficiency, fosters creativity and improves the quality of life for its inhabitants and the surrounding community. Flexibility for landlords and tenants is vital in a market that changes rapidly as science evolves. But whenever quality of life is enhanced — with amenities such as cafes, retail, and childcare — employees are more likely to become ingrained in the company's culture, as well as in the community.

Moving forward

The evolution of science, combined with a growing understanding of biotech design, is changing the way scientists and technicians work. While corporate office design has undergone several transformational cycles, from enclosed rabbit warrens to open plan landscape, hot-desking and home-working, laboratory design has yet to complete one cycle.

In biotech's infancy, "wet" lab space with an office for the principal investigator was the norm. As the use of computing systems grew, so did the need for "dry" lab space. Here, technicians create mathematical models and virtual testing systems — without a beaker or microscope in sight. The availability of electronic information is key, requiring robust technology infrastructure. And in an industry fueled by great minds, attracting and retaining top employees is of utmost importance. These days, it takes more than a gold watch or an extra day's pay to keep the best employees from heading to greener pastures. A holistic approach to the design of biotech facilities is becoming a necessary practice.

Three-pronged approach: