HOK的Julia Cooper, Tim O'Connell和Rob Williamson共同探讨了科研工作场所正在发生的变化趋势。

随着科学研究的发展，实验室和科研工作场所必须同步调整以适应这些发展。从HOK最近为企业、开发商和学术机构所做的规划和设计工作中总结，有以下几个趋势值得我们关注。

许多非研究性质的活动已经从实验室工作台过渡到了更适合计算工作、数据分析、写作和协作的办公空间。一些企业，比如阿斯利康制药公司，将科研人员与法务部、市场部和销售部等运营部门安排在一起，以促进知识共享并最大化发挥他们之间的增效效应。

阿斯利康 | AstraZeneca

在阿斯利康公司位于旧金山南部的实验室和办公设施，中央的活动空间、楼梯、会议和休息区域的设计都旨在鼓励员工的互动和交流。

一些企业和机构正探索将非实验室和行政管理的职能划分到单独的楼栋里，或者为其提供远程办公的机会。尽管这种策略可以节省大量的成本，但也存在着一个潜在的缺陷，那就是造成孤立。如果将团队分散开来，那企业将承担一个风险，即失去由多个团队共用一个工作场所时所产生的团体感和合作感。

尽管员工越来越希望他们的工作环境有更大的灵活性，但许多科研机构和企业还没有完全采用自由选择或无固定工位的策略。这些策略强调的是共享各种空间的所有权——如安静区域、互动区域和配套区域——而不是分配给每个人固定的办公桌。这些策略可以在更好利用空间的同时，创造出增强合作和创造力的环境。

要决定是设立固定工位还是自由选择的工作区，就需要深入了解整个企业的工作方式、移动模式、互动程度以及对私密性空间的需求。并不存在一个放之四海而皆准的解决方案，但是运用科学的设计方法，并对员工的需求进行精确的评估，就能产生高效的结果。

弗朗西斯-克里克研究所 | Francis Crick Institute

现在越来越多积极的倡议，都旨在鼓励协作、打破僵硬的组织层级。但是，在商业和学术界，传统的权力结构依然存在。以高校为例，带来巨额科研经费的主要研究领军人物（首席研究员们）经常使用私人办公室办公。尽管这样的安排有助于工作的专注，但也会在不经意间阻碍自发的互动与合作的机会。

科研办公场所一直在演变发展。科技研发公司最近已经开始意识到硬件工程师和软件工程师对空间的需求各不相同。硬件工程师需要更多的物理空间来与设备一起工作，需要更大的近距离办公空间，而软件工程师则需要安静的环境来完成编程任务。了解科研工作是如何开展的，并且认识到工作环境是能够通过调整来支持具体行为的一种工具，这点尤为重要。

阿斯利康  | AstraZeneca

另一方面，从事研发例如智能手表、健身追踪器和植入式医疗设备等可穿戴设备的硬件工程师、软件工程师以及生命科学领域的科研工作者，他们需要一个能相互协作的共创空间。在那里他们可以一起实时追踪并分析与健康相关的数据，例如心率、活跃程度和睡眠质量等。

抗击COVID-19新冠病毒的研究为生命科学产业带来了大幅激增的资金投入。随着办公楼市场的瓦解，那些想要从日益增长的医疗卫生服务需求中获益的投资者们纷纷把钱投进了生命科学领域。

某生命科学公司总部 | Confidential Life Sciences Company Headquarters

生命科学企业可以承受更多的耐心，但由风险投资公司支持的实体必须提供更快的投资回报。因此，要在这种环境下脱颖而出，企业的办公场所必须拥有能吸引杰出人才的环境，同时也需要能促进创造力与协作、激励创新。科研工作环境是通过哪些方式对整个企业的成功起到关键作用这一方面值得关注。

然而，这样的投资趋势在过去的一年里发生了变化，因为利率上升，股票市场下跌，导致生命科学领域的风险资本融资放缓。近期硅谷银行的倒闭更是进一步加剧了商业生命科学领域所面临的挑战。这可能导致初创企业的可用资金和投资减少，从而可能导致整个行业的信心下降、增长放缓、创新减少。也因此，企业开始更多地关注科研工作环境能够为其整体成功而作出贡献的方式。

圣地亚哥Bioterra生命科学大楼 | Bioterra Life Sciences Building in San Diego

促进工作场所的多样性、公平性、包容性和无障碍性是当今社会的要义。全世界约有15-20%的人口属于不同程度的神经系统多样性人群，发掘这些人才对基于科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）研究的企业来说具有重要意义。很多神经发散型个体都有着自己独特的优势，包括对细节的特别关注、注意力高度集中、有创造力、有毅力和拥有进阶的系统化思考能力等，这些优势使得他们尤其适合并擅长从事科研工作。

弗朗西斯-克里克研究所 | Francis Crick Institute

受限于各类机械化检测和安全所需的结构性设置，要将实验室设计地人性化是出了名的挑战。在进行实验室设计时，为了使这些空间更适合神经系统多样性人群和神经典型人员，设计既要考虑到各类人群的需求，同时也要兼顾科学研究的需求。

Pharmavite制药公司 | Pharmavite

HOK的研究表明，实现一个包容性工作环境生态系统的关键在于，让员工有机会选择自己的工作地点和工作方式，以及选择所感受到的感官刺激的程度。通过理解感官处理的各个层面，并认识到多维度的刺激触发因素与设计要素之间的关联，企业就能更好地理解这种设计策略的益处。通过解决员工的不同需求并提供一系列的工作场所解决方案，我们的设计创造出一个个更加包容、高效的工作环境。

此外，我们设计这些空间的方式也对环境、社会和公司治理（ESG）以及多样性、公平性、包容性和无障碍性（DEIA）的倡议产生重大影响，这些因素是许多企业现在优先考虑的。

科技仍然是科研人员在不断探索、不断理解这条道路上的推动力。除了当前最受关注的“人工智能”（AI）以外，让科学家们的工作方式发生各种变化的还包括：

• 自动化技术，如机器人和先进的软件

• 高性能计算技术，如量子计算

• 数据可视化技术，包括虚拟现实和增强现实

• 基因组学技术，如二代测序

• 建筑设备自动化系统和建筑管理系统，用于调节管理照明、温度、暖通空调、安保和音响等

这些科技在多层面对实验室空间规划产生影响。许多企业机构已经简化了各类实验，并且缩减了研究所需的空间。另一些则需要更为复杂的基础设施和专业的设备，它们占用大量的空间。例如，HOK最近为一家制药公司设计了专门用于容纳机器人的空间。随着自动化与机器人承担了更多之前由实验室技术人员和后勤人员完成的工作，极度灵活的实验室空间，以便容纳整合人工智能驱动的研究工具和系统，就成为极度重要的需求了。

史赛克医疗器械公司研发中心 | Stryker Instruments Research + Development Center

人工智能无法取代科学家。但它可以帮助科学家们推进自己的研究，比他们想象地更进一步。人工智能会不会使科学家们不再需要面对面地进行工作？我们问了ChatGPT，这是它的回答：

"人工智能正在通过改善远程通讯、自动化研究任务和创造沉浸式虚拟环境来改变科研协作的现状。然而，在短期内，人工智能不太可能完全取代面对面的合作。面对面的互动在非语言交流、培养信任以及促成带来研究突破的巧遇方面仍然是至关重要的。尽管人工智能毫无疑问会重塑合作方式，但人与人面对面互动的丰富内涵将继续在科学进步中发挥重要作用。"

注意回答中"在短期内"的警示，这与我们的想法同步。

HOK’s Julia Cooper, Tim O’Connell and Rob Williamson explore emerging trends influencing the evolution of the scientific workplace.

As scientific research evolves, laboratory and workplace environments must adapt to support it. Based on our recent planning and design work for corporations, commercial developers and academia, here are several trends to watch.

Most non-research activities have already transitioned from the lab bench to workspaces better suited for computational work, data analysis, writing and collaboration. Some companies, including AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, collocate scientists with operational departments such as legal, marketing and sales to promote knowledge sharing and capitalize on synergies among them. 

阿斯利康 | AstraZeneca

At AstraZeneca’s Lab and Office Facility (above) in South San Francisco, central gathering spaces, stairways, and conference and lounge areas encourage social interaction and idea-sharing.

Some organizations are now exploring the benefits of segregating non-lab and administrative functions into separate buildings or even remote work arrangements. While this strategy can yield significant cost savings, there’s a potential downside: silos. By splitting up teams, companies risk losing the sense of community and collaboration that arises when diverse groups share space.

While employees increasingly want greater flexibility in their work environments, many research organizations have yet to fully adopt free-choice or free-address strategies. These approaches emphasize shared ownership of various spaces—such as quiet, interactive and support areas—rather than assigning specific desk space to individuals. This can create environments that enhance collaboration and creativity while improving space utilization.

邓肯大街4340号 - Cortex科创社区 | 4340 Duncan – Cortex Innovation Community

The decision to put in place assigned or free-choice workspaces requires a deep understanding the organization’s work styles, mobility patterns, level of interaction and privacy needs. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but leveraging the science of design to accurately assess employee needs will lead to effective outcomes.

Despite growing initiatives to encourage collaboration and dismantle rigid organizational hierarchies, traditional power structures persist in both corporate and academic settings. In universities, for example, principal investigators (PIs) who bring in significant grant funding often occupy private offices. While this arrangement facilitates focused work, it may inadvertently hinder spontaneous interactions and collaboration opportunities.

The scientific workplace continues to evolve. Tech R&D companies have recently begun to recognize the distinct space needs of hardware and software engineers. Hardware engineers require more physical space to work with equipment and more desk area in close proximity, while software engineers need quiet settings for programming tasks. It is essential to understand how scientific work happens and to acknowledge that the workplace is a tool that can be fine-tuned to support specific activities.

启信软件 | OpenText

Conversely, hardware, software and life sciences researchers working on wearable technologies like smartwatches, fitness trackers and implantable medical devices need collaborative makerspaces. Together, they can track and analyze data on health-related factors, including heart rate, activity levels and sleep quality, in real-time.

Research to combat COVID-19 jumpstarted a dramatic surge in funding in the life sciences industry. When the office market collapsed, investors seeking to capitalize on the rising demand for healthcare solutions poured money into this sector.

法莫斯利制药公司 | Pharmacyclics

While corporate life sciences companies can afford a more patient approach, entities backed by VCs must deliver a faster return on investment. To succeed in this environment, they need their workspaces to attract talented people, foster creativity and collaboration, and drive innovation. Attention must be paid to the ways in which the scientific workplace can play an important role in the overall success of the organization.

The landscape changed over the past year, however, as interest rates rose and the stock market dipped, causing venture capital funding in life sciences to slow. The recent failure of Silicon Valley Bank has further intensified the challenges faced by the commercial life sciences sector. This could lead to a reduction in available funding and investment for startups and early-stage companies, potentially resulting in decreased confidence in the sector, slowed growth and diminished innovation. Companies now must pay even more attention to the ways in which the scientific workplace can contribute to their overall success.

生物医学生命科学园区 | BioMed Life Sciences Campus

Promoting workplace diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) is essential in today’s world. With 15-20% of the world’s population exhibiting some form of neurodivergence, tapping into this talent pool is crucial for STEM-based organizations. The unique strengths of many neurodivergent individuals, including exceptional attention to detail, hyperfocus, creativity, persistence and advanced systems thinking, make them particularly well-suited for excelling in scientific research.

Labs can be notoriously challenging spaces to humanize, given the structured settings needed for controlled testing and safety. To make these spaces more accommodating for both neurodivergent and neurotypical users, labs should be designed with as much focus on the users as on the science.

法莫斯利制药公司 | Pharmacyclics

HOK’s research suggests that the key to fostering an inclusive workplace ecosystem is providing employees with options regarding where and how they work, as well as the degree of sensory stimulation they experience. By understanding the spectrum of sensory processing and recognizing the connection between muti-dimensional stimulus triggers and design elements, companies can better appreciate the benefits of this approach. By addressing the diverse needs of employees and offering a range of workplace solutions, we can create more inclusive and productive environments.

某生命科学公司总部 | Confidential Life Sciences Company Headquarters

In addition, the way we design these spaces can have a significant impact on ESG and DEIA initiatives, which many companies are now prioritizing.

Technology remains the engine driving researchers forward on their quest for discovery and understanding. Along with artificial intelligence (AI), which is currently capturing the headlines, technologies changing the ways scientists work include:

• Automation technologies like robots and advanced software.

• High-performance computing technologies such as quantum computing.

• Data visualization technologies including virtual and augmented reality.

• Genomics technologies like next-generation sequencing.

• Building Automation Systems and Building Management Systems, which regulate lighting, temperature, HVAC, security, acoustics and more.

These technologies have a multifaceted impact on lab spaces. Many institutions have streamlined experiments and reduced the space required for research. Others need more sophisticated infrastructure and specialized equipment that takes up a lot of space. For example, HOK recently designed space for a pharmaceutical company specifically used to house robots. As automation and robotics take on more work traditionally completed by lab techs and support staff, the need for ultra-flexible lab spaces that integrate AI-powered research tools and systems becomes paramount.

弗朗西斯-克里克研究所 | Francis Crick Institute

AI isn’t going to replace scientists. But it can help them push their research further than they imagined. Could AI begin to diminish the need for face-to-face collaboration among scientists? We asked ChatGPT:

“AI is transforming scientific collaboration by improving remote communication, automating research tasks, and creating immersive virtual environments. However, in the near future, AI is unlikely to fully replace face-to-face collaboration. In-person interactions remain crucial for non-verbal communication, fostering trust, and facilitating serendipitous encounters that can lead to breakthroughs. While AI will undoubtedly reshape collaboration, the richness of face-to-face interactions will continue to play a significant role in scientific advancements.”

Taking note of the “in the near future” caveat, we agree with its response.