Collaborative space is a necessary program element. There are many kinds of collaborative space – make use of them all. Don’t build a science building without some sort of eatery plan. Food service is a theme attraction for collaborative science and research productivity. Another potential collaborative space, the atrium, can serve four purposes:

• They are a recruiting feature.
• They can be a science interaction feature.
• They can earn LEED(tm) points for ventilation and natural lighting.
• They help with fundraising.

- From Tradeline's Research Buildings 2006 Conference.