Science on display: Core labs as catalysts for collaboration and innovation

Science and engineering facilities are increasingly expected to do more than house research—they must activate community engagement, accelerate interdisciplinary exchange, and make innovation visible to a broader community. Presenters draw on projects at UC Davis and Oregon State University to show how core labs can be repositioned from isolated service functions into visible, connective infrastructure that activates public space. They share design strategies for integrating public-facing ground floors, maker spaces, co-working labs, and shared cores, and describe how mass timber construction supports research performance and community identity. They deliver key distinguishing characteristics and strategies for other institutions building innovation cultures.