The new, new design concept for research space is to minimize the TIME that research staff people spend doing frequent and repeated research tasks. TIME is a function of equipment location, and saving 30 or 60 seconds for a repetitive procedure is a “big deal” to researchers. This then means clustering certain pieces of equipment and reducing travel distances. To plan a truly efficient research building, do “shadow studies” in which you actually watch and record what people do in a facility.

- From Tradeline’s College and University Science Buildings 2007 conference.