School Science Lab Design
Time’s Up for the Victorian Science Lab
The poorly lit and inflexible laboratory is dead. And at TaskSpace, we’re proud to be at the forefront of the revolution. The way we see it, a school science room isn’t just a classroom — it’s a modern, working laboratory that must reflect the bright, contemporary design found in a professional facility.
A contemporary science space must be able to facilitate both individual and group learning. And it must also deliver the flexible functionality required to perform a variety of practical and theoretical exercises. Of course, every establishment’s requirements are slightly different. As such, the science lab design process will be adapted to the needs of each school.
Our design approach always includes these key considerations:
- What impact the interior design can have on the performance and desirability of the space
- The stakeholder group that needs to play a role in the design and layout
- Adequate yet realistic space for the purposes of storage
- To what extent mobility and flexibility can be introduced into the space
- The safety and regulatory measures that are at the forefront of the design process
- Including space for breakout and group learning
School Science Lab Design Is a Process
At TaskSpace, we design school labs for heritage buildings and state-of-the-art new builds — and everything in between. This means we can’t take a one-size-fits-all approach to the design process. We have to work within the confines of the available space, which requires creativity, experience and feedback from previous projects.
We also have to take into account practical issues such as the room’s use. A chemistry lab will have very different requirements than a biology lab. And we might be asked to make a lab suitable for all sciences, which presents its own challenges.
But our approach to every classroom design project is always collaborative. Working closely with key stakeholders, we assess a wide range of issues that can affect the efficacy of a learning environment, including:
- Layout
- The positioning of burners, outlets and static scientific equipment
- Colour schemes
- Displays
- Furniture placement
- The use of space
- The teacher’s space
- Demonstration areas
- The use of natural and artificial light
Merchant Taylors’ School
Merchant Taylors' School, a prestigious day school for boys in northwest London, asked TaskSpace to assist with the exercise of…
Aldenham School
In January 2021, TaskSpace were honoured to be introduced to Aldenham School by an existing client. The senior leadership at Aldenham were…
The John Lyon School
The John Lyon School approached TaskSpace to assist with the design & delivery of a new STEAM and MakerSpace. The school didn’t have a…
Abbot’s Hill School
TaskSpace were approached by the Bursar at Abbot’s Hill with a view to coming up with a rejuvenated interior design for the existing Design…
Merchant Taylors’ Prep School
Merchant Taylors’ Prep School, an independent day school in Hertfordshire, had made the decision to overhaul their Design Technology…
Merchant Taylors’ School
TaskSpace was delighted to be appointed by Merchant Taylors’ School in Middlesex to refurbish two science laboratories – after a previous…
Cheam School
After a rigorous selection process, TaskSpace was selected for the provision and installation of Learnstor Teaching Walls throughout Cheam…
A Proven Track Record of Successful School Science Lab Design
We start by listening to the difficulties and challenges faced by students and teachers in order to identify the issues and provide practical solutions.
For example, we’re often asked to improve storage space, accessibility and aesthetic appeal. But many of the science labs we’re asked to redesign have issues such as clutter, fixed equipment in the wrong place and a lack of flexibility in terms of changing a room’s configuration for different learning experiences.
In collaboration with clients, and sometimes students, we always ask the following questions:
- Does the new plan facilitate flexible configurations?
- Have all the storage issues been addressed?
- Has every possible area been utilised to maximise storage space?
- Does fixed scientific equipment perform well where it is?
- Can the teacher move freely around the school science lab during practical sessions?
- Is it easy to keep the space clutter-free?
- Does the space represent the school’s brand and ethos?
- Can the design support both group and individual learning sessions?
- Does the design support the strategic aims of the school?
Contact TaskSpace to discuss your school science lab project today.
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