Next-generation lab strategies for uncertain times

Funding volatility, shifting research priorities, and unknown end-users are forcing research organizations to rethink what's most critical in lab design. Presenters reveal which specific design elements—from ventilation strategies to modular infrastructure—actually deliver adaptability when research programs pivot unexpectedly. They present measured performance data comparing traditional configurations against next-generation approaches, quantifying energy consumption, contaminant clearing, and operational flexibility. They demonstrate which systems accommodate converging research activities and incompatible equipment requirements while extending the life of aging infrastructure, and which "flexible" design strategies fail to deliver. They identify what separates theoretical adaptability from proven performance in labs engineered for funding uncertainty and unknown future users.