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This approach facilitates the pre-certification of components, panelised systems, building systems for thermal/hygrothermal/airtightness performance, reducing design time and programme..

Innovationunlocks a beautiful and creative process which allows for a collision of perspectives and thinking.And it is these insights that can lead to elegant solutions to complex problems..

Definition and Origins of Design to Value.. With roots in both the rapid iterating of product design and the holistic thinking of total architecture of the past, Design to Value combines the relentless seeking of value with a clarity of purpose.Each project is unique, but an ethos and approach prevail: you focus on what you want the project to do, how it should best function and who it should serve –rather than a specific material outcome..In this sense, Design to Value begins with near-anthropological analysis, delving deep into the various needs of each project’s constituents, from client to planner to end users.

Describing the needs of all of the stakeholders in a project leads to a ‘problem statement’.Unlike a traditional brief, which works to corral a project before it even begins, effectively shutting down possibilities, a problem statement opens them up.

The problem statement pinpoints the gap between the existing state and the desired state (of a company, a site, a process) and defines the core values that will drive the project.

This, of course, runs counter to how many architects and engineers work today.In our experience, open plan offices with 7.2m grids and above are best suited to flexible lab conversions as these enable a wide range of bench configurations, larger equipment, subdivision into smaller rooms, as well as compliant installation of future MBSCs (microbiological safety cabinets) and fume cabinets.

Some extra space for unexpected changes or new technology introductions will almost certainly be beneficial in the long-run, and consideration should also be given to areas outside the main lab, such as the impact of automation or remote working on write-up and meeting areas.Rather than cater to all eventualities, a cost-benefit analysis will often drive an ’80:20’ approach towards future flexibility..

While office to lab conversions may seem to make good economic sense, compromises around productivity and flexibility can impact the life science business, tenant, or developer in ways that aren’t immediately obvious.Many of these issues can be mitigated simply through good design, and, in our experience, layouts need to be detailed earlier than a new-build project.