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Spacious white laboratory interior with long workbenches, shelving, and overhead lighting, part of a COEL Lab Planning project for Wren Therapeutics.

Laboratory Design

We are specialists in highly functional and people-centric interior design for laboratory spaces

At COEL, we understand that successfully delivering lab design services requires a specialised set of skills. The materials, furnishings, technology and equipment should all combine to create a practical, productive, collaborative and inspiring workspace.

Laboratory Planning Laboratory Furniture

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Lab Design Services

The secret of our success? We let the scientists take the lead.

Working collaboratively with our life sciences clients, our lab company designs and delivers laboratories that meet the practical needs of the people who will work there.

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Human-focused
laboratory design

As a starting point, we gather all of your key stakeholders together so we can gain an understanding of the practical and scientific needs of your business.

Although laboratories generally incorporate similar themes, your lab design may vary greatly depending on your particular working methods.

One thing we know for sure , we are not scientists; we are designers!

We will work with your scientists to evaluate workflows, taking the time to understand how the space will be used to create a laboratory design that is unique to your business.

Sterile laboratory corridor with white walls and flooring, lab coats hanging on the wall, storage shelves, and a person in protective clothing walking through a doorway.

Three people converse around a desk in a modern office, with laptops and notes. The atmosphere is collaborative, under soft pendant lights and a wall clock

A strategic approach to
laboratory workspace consultancy

Before we even think about your laboratory’s fit-out and furnishings, we will assign a project team of specialists to perform a needs analysis with your key stakeholders.

This will involve:

  • Assessing your existing lab workspace and how you use it (if applicable).
  • Agreeing on your business objectives and what we can do to help you achieve them.
  • Identifying any bespoke space requirements, whether practical, scientific or people-focused.
  • Taking the time to understand your business and brand and how we can tailor a lab space that is personal to you.
  • Looking forward to make sure the laboratory works for your team now and in the future.
  • Working together to agree on realistic budgets and time frames to devise an achievable lab design.
COEL site engineer working on ceiling infrastructure during laboratory fit-out, part of a lab design project in progress.

A focus on function over
form in laboratory design

With laboratory interior design, function must take greater precedence.

Once we have defined the strategy, our project team will work closely with the people behind the science! Our goal is to create a lab design that is functional, respectful of your brand and its values, and carefully considers your service requirements.

As a lab company, we are fortunate to have in-house mechanical and electrical experts who can advise on how to manage services safely and efficiently based on how your lab will be used. Whether this involves basic power, consideration of lab gases, compressed air, extraction, pressure regimes or sufficient cooling, we have the know-how to resolve any issues.

 

Laboratory utility room with blue industrial gas and water processing equipment, installed as part of a COEL lab infrastructure project for Sense Bio.

Usually, we will ask some questions to determine how we will design your space:

  • Do you handle any harsh chemicals?
  • Is there a need for vibration control? Is soundproofing important?
  • Do you require cold storage space?
  • Do you need an adequate workspace for larger-scale equipment?
  • What about circulation access and egress? Do you require 24-hour access?
  • Do you need room for future expansion?
  • Do we need to consider the required adjacencies to enable a safer and more productive working environment?
  • Are there any regulatory approvals or laboratory classifications to factor in (e.g., a category 2 laboratory or a cleanroom specification to meet ISO standards)?

Our lab designers are extremely adept at asking the right questions and offering expert insights so we can make the most out of your laboratory space and empower your scientists to ensure that their working methods are taken into account.

clean, well-lit laboratory with white and gray furniture and a sink
empty laboratory with white furniture
Cleanroom corridor with white walls and bright lighting, featuring lab personnel in protective clothing, wall-mounted lab coats, and a stainless steel bench and storage area.
laboratory featuring rows of white benches
White laboratory cabinets
digital wall-mounted thermostat displays temperature and other climate control information on a touchscreen interface
Modern, empty laboratory with gray cabinets, white countertops, open shelves, sinks, and visible electrical outlets, under bright ceiling lights
spacious, well-lit laboratory with white cabinets and glass doors. Two people work together at a counter
pristine, modern laboratory features a white fume hood and sleek gray cabinets. The atmosphere is clean and organized, conveying efficiency and precision
Modern office interior with gray carpet, white walls, and glass partitions. Wooden cabinets line a wall, and overhead lights create a sleek, professional feel
clean, well-lit laboratory with white and gray furniture and a sink empty laboratory with white furniture Cleanroom corridor with white walls and bright lighting, featuring lab personnel in protective clothing, wall-mounted lab coats, and a stainless steel bench and storage area. laboratory featuring rows of white benches White laboratory cabinets digital wall-mounted thermostat displays temperature and other climate control information on a touchscreen interface Modern, empty laboratory with gray cabinets, white countertops, open shelves, sinks, and visible electrical outlets, under bright ceiling lights spacious, well-lit laboratory with white cabinets and glass doors. Two people work together at a counter pristine, modern laboratory features a white fume hood and sleek gray cabinets. The atmosphere is clean and organized, conveying efficiency and precision Modern office interior with gray carpet, white walls, and glass partitions. Wooden cabinets line a wall, and overhead lights create a sleek, professional feel
Empty industrial space with exposed ceiling ductwork and roller door, prepared for laboratory fit-out by COEL for Sense Bio.

Where office design and
laboratory design meet

We recognise that this focus on function should not come at the expense of creativity and aesthetically pleasing design. Many of the themes vital to office design apply to lab design, too.

Space to breathe

Our lab company is increasingly seeing layout briefs that focus on creating warm and calming spaces for employees to break away from the lab’s often controlled and clinical working environment.

Multi-purpose

Today’s ‘write-up’ spaces are more likely to resemble recreational hubs: comfortable and inspiring in design with the option for privacy and silence when required.

Bright, modern laboratory with central workbench, teal accent wall, and large windows, part of a COEL Lab Planning project.

Fostering productivity

Common themes include the use of natural light, access to fresh air, a sense of natural calm and an injection of brand and personality. These themes are just as important in the communal and breakout spaces our lab company creates for our life sciences clients as they are in offices.

Highly adaptable

As working practices continue to evolve, laboratories need to be just as adaptable and flexible as offices to suit the current and future needs of the workforce.

Two men discuss a blueprint on a table in a modern office with pendant lights, a whiteboard, and large windows with blinds. One wears a black jacket with "COEL" text.

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Have questions about our lab design services? Our team is here to help guide you. Drop us a message and we’ll get back to you ASAP.

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A sustainable approach
to laboratory design

A standard laboratory uses five times as much energy and water per square foot as a conventional office building.
This is quite a responsibility, particularly for a purpose-built laboratory with new services that may significantly impact the surrounding natural and human environments. For this reason, when designing labs, the life sciences industry must place even greater importance on its sustainability responsibilities.

Some of the ways in which our lab company can help clients meet their sustainability goals include:

  • Examining the lab’s energy and water requirements from a holistic perspective to identify areas for improved efficiency
  • Encouraging recycling and sourcing recycled materials wherever possible
  • Identifying ways of reducing harmful substances and waste
  • Using materials and resources efficiently
  • Creating a safe and comfortable environment to foster productivity
  • Considering the impact of our newly built environment on its surrounding natural environment

Designing for compliance and
operational standards

At COEL, the laboratories we design meet UK, EU, and international standards, including ISO, GMP, and BREEAM.
As an experienced laboratory design consultant, we tailor our approach to meet sector-specific regulations across healthcare, education, and beyond. Our designs promote inspection readiness, reduce compliance risks,
and support your lab’s long-term operational performance from day one.

Laboratory fume hood with integrated controls and storage cabinets, installed as part of a COEL Lab Planning project.

Industries we serve

Our lab company works across the life sciences, healthcare, education, technology, and environmental sectors, designing laboratories that support a wide range of activities. We create lab spaces that are built around the specific needs of each industry and team, including:

  • Wet labs
  • Dry labs
  • Research labs
  • Optics lab
Laboratory utility system featuring blue water treatment and filtration units, installed as part of a COEL lab infrastructure project for Sense Bio.

Why choose COEL for your lab design?

We are located right at the heart of life sciences

With an office in Cambridge and teams working across Oxford and the ARC, our lab company covers the UK’s southern hubs of life sciences.

We offer a complete turnkey solution

In addition to providing lab design services, our in-house teams can also help manage your relocation and bespoke furniture needs and set up your mechanical and electrical services.

Laboratory workstation with shelving, integrated power outlets, and under-bench storage, designed by COEL for Transition Bio.

We can demonstrate our successes

We have already worked with investors and owner-occupiers to create incredible facilities in the East of England and beyond. Having designed both purpose-built and repurposed laboratories, we have the necessary skills to build a space that will meet the unique needs of your business.

We design and deliver responsibly

Besides creating sustainable laboratory spaces for our clients, we also recognise our own impact and as such, our lab company is working towards achieving our net zero carbon goals.

Talk to us about your lab design

At COEL, we design and build laboratories that will bring out the best in your team. If you would like to discuss your requirements, please complete the form below.

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