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Insight
Home Insights Tenant oversights in Science and Research fit outs
Rising demand for high performing lab space puts greater pressure on early design decisions. And while every project is unique, the same oversights repeatedly surface, limiting the flexibility, efficiency and future readiness of the spaces tenants rely on.
Read on to discover the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them when planning your next Science and Research project.
James Turrell
Account Manager
Tuesday, 28th April 2026
Less than 1 minute read time
Understanding your space is where every successful lab fit out begins. Too often, projects run into trouble simply because teams jump into design before understanding how the space needs to work.
Taking the time to create a clear requirements document, shaped by detailed workshops with the end users, ensures the design reflects how teams really work. With this early clarity, decisions around plant strategy, workflows and equipment placement fall into place more naturally. Without it, it’s easy for plans to drift off course, leading to misalignment that can impact performance and efficiency later on.
Riverlabs, Ware
Workflow and circulation sit at the core of any well functioning lab environment. When movement patterns aren’t carefully considered, testing slows down, bottlenecks appear and safety can be compromised.
In research settings, where processes rely on clear, repeatable sequences, an efficient flow becomes even more critical. Making sure teams working on related tasks are located near one another and that circulation routes feel intuitive and easy to navigate, can significantly improve both the quality and speed of scientific work.
University of Surrey, Guildford
It’s surprisingly common for teams to want to pack a lab with as much equipment and as many workstations as possible. While it can seem efficient to make the most of the space, it often does the opposite.
Overcrowded labs restrict movement, make maintenance more disruptive, reduce ventilation performance and generally complicate day to day work. The most effective labs prioritise clarity, flow and functionality, creating spaces that move freely and work without unnecessary obstacles getting in the way.
Stanhope, White City
Another challenge that often gets overlooked is understanding what the building itself can actually support. Misjudging plant requirements or underestimating cooling and power demand, especially for tech heavy organisations, can create major problems later.
It’s also easy to assume that any building can house any type of lab, but that’s rarely the case. Delaying decisions around future capacity or flexibility can lead to costly changes down the line. When these considerations are built in early, labs are far better positioned to support long term scientific work without running into unexpected limitations.
Stanhope, Oxford North
Laboratories are complex places and even small decisions can have a big impact. By taking the time to understand the space, plan workflows thoughtfully, avoid overcrowding and get clear on what the building can realistically support, tenants can make choices that protect performance, costs and long term flexibility.
If you’d like support navigating your next lab project, our experts are always happy to help. Reach out to our team to learn more.
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