With a wealth of experience and a head full of specialist knowledge of laboratory equipment, design and furnishing laboratories, Ivano Zuliani started Labolutions in 2009. This company specializes in supplying laboratory equipment and furnishing laboratories. It has a broad portfolio of high-quality European manufacturers.
In 2021, Ivano became a co-partner of Labs31. This innovative engineering firm is engaged in the design and optimization of laboratories with more than 25 years of experience. Labs31 specialists advise on the lab layout, connections, heat loads and safety based on a self-developed canvas process model. This is done digitally, in 3D and 4D.
Thinking ahead
New Labs31 projects always start with a lab data collection and design workshop. “We bring all the key players together for a brainstorming session,” says Ivano. Together they think about who exactly works in that lab, what that person wants to achieve and how Labs31 can best set it up for that. They also think about the equipment and walking movements and safety aspects. “We visualize that consistently. We involve the different user groups. That makes them feel heard.”
“Look, we think ahead, because the world of laboratories changes quickly. You can make a complete design, but you also want to be flexible. For example, if you have just started using the lab and suddenly something changes in your number of tests or the laws and regulations. Your infrastructure and your utilities must be able to move along.”
Modular construction
In order to anticipate changes, a modular construction system for a laboratory is highly desirable. In Europe, there are several manufacturers who offer such systems. “Which one you choose depends on the demand and the jointly established User Requirement Specification. A small lab that expects few changes does not have to be as flexible as a large and fast-growing lab. But modular construction is valuable for every budget and every demand: it can result in major cost savings, now and in the future.”
Business intelligence
Another trend in all disciplines is Business Intelligence (BI): data is collected and stored to continuously make processes more efficient. “This is also interesting in the laboratory world. With BI, systems can work together in large buildings. For example, optimal integration of fume hood controls within the systems for building management and air treatment: a nice sustainability boost.”
Smart solutions for inventory management
There are so many standards, laws and regulations that laboratories have to comply with. Good inventory management is therefore a requirement for laboratories. “There is now much more attention for product management. Which substances or solutions do you have in sufficient stock? How much? What is their shelf life?” If the shelf life of chemicals or bioreagents is exceeded, this can lead to an incorrect result. “They have to be reliable and safe in a lab.”
A SMART lab inventory system, or an intelligent laboratory inventory system, can provide a solution here. This innovation is still in development. “We are following this very closely. It is expected to be launched soon.”
More attention to sustainability
We can't ignore it: sustainability also plays a prominent role in the laboratory sector. Sustainability - for the planet and people - is becoming an increasingly important theme. You can also notice that in this sector. Sustainable construction is gradually becoming a fixed principle. When choosing an air handling unit, which often requires a considerable investment in the technical space or on the roof, a minimum capacity or unnecessary overcapacity is often chosen.
In the first case, general occupational health and safety standards (and specifically the Lab Arbo Norm 18-0) are quickly exceeded. In the latter case, it becomes an expensive, energy-guzzling installation. “With well-founded data, you can prevent this. You check in advance what you need and prevent a problem afterwards. Because sometimes I only hear later: 'Now I understand why it was always too warm in our lab...'”
4D designs
The latest trends that are definitely worth mentioning: 4D design and virtual reality (VR). “For a large German manufacturer, we designed such a lab furnishing project in 4D and VR. By using these technologies in the design phase, we visualize walking routes, use of space and placement of equipment. This way, you know in advance whether something will work or not. People can walk through the space with VR glasses and test whether the design is practical. Ideal!”
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