Developments in recent years have shown clearly that the functional requirements of laboratories have become increasingly complex. This is illustrated, for instance, by growing automation in the laboratory and the replacement of testing by modeling.

Client visions as the basis for design
We satisfy the multifaceted requirements to be met by a modern, future-oriented laboratory solution with an intensive analysis of the client's needs - regardless of whether the project involves a new laboratory building or modernization of an existing structure. This analysis provides the foundation on which we build our layout concepts.

The concepts consider both the position of the laboratory in the overall system and functional optimization within the laboratory realm. Of course the resulting proposals also take into account regulations such as equipment standards, ventilation standards and directives, environmental protection laws (clean air, noise pollution, maintenance management, etc.), laboratory guidelines, accident prevention rules, and GLP/GMG guidelines.

Early consolidation and coordination
Because a great number of aspects have to be considered in any lab building project or modernization, it is important for the user, laboratory designer and architect to get together early and make the critical decisions jointly. Two-level or three-level structuring, the arrangement of the main and ancillary floor space, and the grid spacing of the la-boratory units are essential for efficient work procedures and rigorous utilization of the available space.

The laboratory
The laboratory's position within a building is determined by the functions it fulfills. Short paths for personnel and specimens and fast access to the process are highly desirable. Here we weigh the pros and cons of common use of the lab facilities versus a decentralized arrangement and optimize the proce- dures. In general, modern laboratories should provide a high degree of flexibility and adaptability without ignoring the capital cost and running cost aspects.

Ancillary rooms
The ancillary spaces, which should also be structured for economic utilization, need to be laid out just as carefully as the laboratory proper. Here, too, special requirements must be foreseen and taken into account. For example, these rooms may be used for equipment or procedures that generate emissions and therefore need to be arranged separately from the usual lab activities. AAS and GCs come to mind in this regard. Certain precautions also have to be taken where isotopes are handled.

Separate rooms are also needed for light-sensitive work, for processes sensitive to heat or cold, and for testing that would be jeopardized by dusty conditions or vibrations. The storage space usually required for chemicals and gas cylinders must be integrated effectively into the infrastructure. On no account should the widely varying requirements to be met by these ancillary rooms be regarded as an afterthought in the planning process.

Supply systems
Normally the use of standard building instal-lations is insufficient for laboratory purposes. So the supply of media and utilities to the main and ancillary lab spaces deserves very close attention. Once the media and utiltities have been suited to the duty required, clearly structured routing is called for with carefully considered laying out of ring and branch piping.

Where an existing laboratory is being modernized, expansion of the systems may be required. In any case, seamless coordination of the media and utilities and their distribution within the rooms must be assured. In addition, it is advisable to reserve sufficiently large areas - both central and decentralized - to allow for expected increases of supply capacities in the future.

Furnishings and equipment
The depth of laboratory planning can vary. Depending on requirements, the planning can be restricted to space, furnishings, or furnishings including equipment. Chemgi-neering is capable of planning the organization of rooms, media and utilities, furnishings, and even the equipment and/or measuring instruments to be placed in or on the lab furniture in order to meet the client's specific needs. Our list of completed laboratory projects includes an impressive variety from the fields of analytical chemistry, chemical production, micro-biology, genetic engineering, cytostatics, radionuclide engineering and biotechnology.