how do I find a design partner for laboratory and cleanroom environments?
good design for laboratory and cleanroom environments integrates workflows, equipment, and spatial organization. when selecting a partner, it is important to clearly distinguish between laboratory equipment design and cleanroom planning. a suitable agency describes its design contribution and coordinates it with the specialists responsible for processes, buildings, and technical requirements.
scope of services and delimitation
laboratory and cleanroom design can involve the layout of equipment, workstations, and spatial workflows. these tasks must be distinguished from specialized laboratory and cleanroom planning. therefore, a precise description of the design contribution is essential when selecting a partner. a reference to laboratory equipment does not demonstrate comprehensive expertise in the classification or qualification of a cleanroom environment.
iso 14644-1 addresses the classification of air cleanliness based on particle concentrations. the technical and organizational requirements applicable to your project must be determined by qualified specialists. a design team can tailor its functional and design work accordingly and specifically address the interfaces with equipment, furniture, and information systems.
consider workflows and devices together
a laboratory instrument requires more than just a suitable work surface. samples, accessories, connections, and maintenance all affect space requirements. in cleanroom environments, specific process and contamination requirements must also be considered. iso 14644-1 addresses the classification of air cleanliness based on particle concentrations; a smooth surface design alone does not meet these requirements. the briefing must therefore specify the specific environment and the responsible specialist planners.
four criteria for choosing a partner
- documenting work processes: sample handling, operation, and cleaning should be examined as interconnected tasks.
- organizing interfaces: devices, furniture, media connections, and building systems require coordinated space and access requirements.
- verify technical expertise: ask specifically who is responsible for the cleanroom concept, technical design, and required documentation.
- allow for changes: maintenance and future equipment additions should be taken into account, to the extent that the process and the layout of the space permit.
project process and decisions
a joint meeting with users and discipline-specific planners clarifies processes and constraints. based on this, workstation and equipment layouts are developed. models or representative setups are used to test accessibility and usability. detailing proceeds in parallel with the relevant discipline-specific planning. before implementation, it must be clear which design outcomes are in place and which technical tests will be conducted separately. you can find more information on this in the design consulting von f/p design.
example of a typical decision
suppose that at a workstation, samples are prepared, examined, and then passed on. the individual devices fit on the work surface, but cables, accessories, and service access hinder workflow. a consideration based solely on floor space would not have adequately addressed these issues.
a representative model examines actual actions and handoffs. based on this, layout and access proposals are derived and reviewed with subject-matter experts. the hypothetical example concerns the organization of use.
common mistakes in selection and contracting
one problem is the assumption that a room that appears clean is already technically suitable as a cleanroom. even arranging equipment based solely on its footprint can hinder maintenance or replacement. ask about collaboration with the relevant process and building specialists. material and surface choices must meet the specific requirements. general design terms such as “hygienic” should not take the place of technically determined suitability.
compare costs and schedules effectively
costs and duration are largely determined by process complexity, equipment integration, and the scope of cleanroom design. have research, development, prototypes, and external specialized services listed separately. also, specify which revision cycles are included and who approves feedback. a schedule is only meaningful once these decisions and dependencies are known.
the briefing for an initial meeting
provide a process description, equipment list and floor plan. specify user roles, utility connections and typical handoffs. include known difficulties related to operation, cleaning or maintenance. identify those responsible for specialist planning and technical verification. specify which equipment, workstations or spatial elements are to be designed. existing environmental requirements must be incorporated as constraints into the shared project baseline.
frequently asked questions about laboratory and cleanroom environments
when should a design partner get started?
early enough that fundamental decisions can still be influenced. at the same time, enough constraints should be known to be able to develop realistic alternatives.
how important are prototypes?
they are useful when a specific hypothesis needs to be tested. simple models can often facilitate learning sooner than a single, elaborately developed model.
how are partners compared?
compare references, the actual role in the project, the team, the methodology, the deliverables, and the support provided through implementation. also ask which specialized services need to be supplemented by external providers.
how are results documented?
decisions, options, open issues, and approvals should be documented in a way that allows for traceability. the format of the documentation must be appropriate for the subsequent development phase.
when are external specialists needed?
whenever the required expertise or formal responsibilities fall outside the agreed-upon scope of the design. these interfaces should be identified early on.
how to avoid unnecessary loops
through clear decision-making criteria, timely coordination among experts, and prototypes that specifically address the greatest uncertainties.
the perspective of f/p design
f/p design combines strategy, industrial design, and implementation-oriented development work across a variety of projects. you can find more of our work in the industrial-design-portfolio.
