Engineering the Future of Biosafety

Solving today’s complex scientific challenges requires equally complex laboratory environments where protection, precision and discovery converge.

From public health diagnostics in New York City to national biosecurity in the UK and regional water‑quality testing across the Southeastern U.S., laboratory planning draws on an integrated, science-focused approach to advanced laboratory projects, aligning each facility with its scientific mission, functional and operational realities.

“Complex laboratories demand a level of sophistication far beyond what office buildings require, which is why having an experienced, multidisciplinary team matters,” said Jeannye Dudley, senior laboratory planner, WSP in the U.S.

High‑containment infectious disease facilities, regional water analysis labs and translational research environments all rely on layers of technical systems, strict biosafety protocols and highly specific workflows. Effective planning begins with understanding those workflows — how people and materials move, where risks emerge and how containment, resilience and reliability must function day to day.

One example is the Building 28 facility at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Roybal Campus in Atlanta. This project combines Biosafety Level 4 (BSL‑4) and enhanced BSL‑3 spaces — all within one of the most technically demanding environments designed employing features and approaches developed for high-containment laboratories.

The building incorporates layered containment measures, real‑time digital monitoring and operational integration with an adjacent high‑containment facility. It’s a highly complex environment that requires a detailed understanding of how the facility functions and operates.

“Our laboratory team does more than build these facilities to our client’s specifications,” said Les Gartner, science and technology global lead, WSP in the U.S. “We also fully understand how each facility functions and how our designs can best support those functions.”

Laboratory planning and design spans a range of relevant disciplines, each shaped by distinct regulatory frameworks, operational pressures and scientific workflows: 

Public health laboratories 

New York City Public Health Lab — an unprecedented eight‑story facility with a reverse‑pyramid massing driven by its functional program, which includes BSL-3 labs, PCR testing suites and a blend of transparency and controlled access.

Animal science and biosecurity facilities

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs/ Animal and Plant Health Agency (DEFRA/APHA) in Weybridge, UK — a national biosecurity center and home to the UK’s first ACDP4 suit laboratory (equivalent to BSL‑4 in the U.S.)

Water reclamation, wastewater and compliance labs

Projects in Collier County, Florida; Gwinnett County, Georgia; and Decatur, Georgia, reflect the role of laboratory planning in supporting “One Water” strategies, navigating evolving testing standards, microplastics regulations and consolidation opportunities.

Pharmaceutical research and development

A multi‑city program for a pharmaceutical company initially launched during the pandemic has expanded into a network of advanced facilities across Denver, South San Francisco, New York City, Toronto and elsewhere.

Across all sectors, common themes emerge: the need for speed, safety, adaptability and scientific precision.

Our core lab planning team is based in Atlanta, but every project draws from an interdisciplinary network of engineers, architects, digital specialists and sustainability professionals across the U.S. and around the world.

This structure supports integration of local knowledge — such as collaborating with engineering teams in New York City on the Public Health Lab or working with national mechanical, electrical and plumbing teams on fast‑tracked pharmaceutical projects. It also supports technical specialization across areas such as digital monitoring; life cycle assessment‑based sustainability analysis; heating, ventilation and air conditioning system optimization; and human‑centered design.

“We are the core, but we can use our resources nationally and internationally depending on where the project is located,” Gartner said. “That model has been working extremely well for our clients.”

This approach also strengthens operational planning, including biosafety protocols, maintenance strategies and user behavior considerations that influence safety and efficiency.

Laboratory projects that span the U.S., UK, Canada, Brazil, India, the Middle East and other regions are experiencing rising demand for advanced research infrastructure.

The DEFRA/APHA project underscores this reach: a £2 billion effort to modernize the UK’s national capability for managing zoonotic and agricultural diseases.

“Human‑factor considerations are integral to this design,” Dudley said. “How staff actually use the building is just as important as the building’s safety systems.”

Whether navigating U.S. public sector compliance or UK biosecurity regulations, design and planning approaches are adapted to align with local operational, scientific and regulatory requirements.

Many complex lab projects are mission-critical: public health crises, pharmaceutical research and development acceleration or urgent environmental compliance. Many of these projects are delivered under compressed schedules that strengthen long‑term client relationships.

 “One pharma company began their journey with us by renovating a single warehouse in Colorado," said Handan Nazli, vice president, senior lab planner, WSP in the U.S.  “However, this project quickly evolved into an expansive North American portfolio of cutting-edge research facilities, spanning from California to New York, and even reaching into Canada. This entire transformation was managed by the same dedicated team.” 

The rapid pace of construction progressed was driven by continuity across the project team and its management skills. "Our ability to efficiently apply the design concepts and details from our previous project played a crucial role in making this expansion possible,” Nazli said.

This continuity was critical in fast‑tracking COVID‑19 public health efforts and multi‑year masterplans for consolidating water testing operations across growing metropolitan regions.

As project requirements evolve, delivery approaches adjust as well, including design‑build, phased renovations, accelerated schedules tailored to meet scientific and operational constraints.

Across all project types, the mission remains consistent: protect people, animals and the environment.

Modern laboratory design increasingly prioritizes:

• layered containment;
• adaptable infrastructure;
• integrated digital monitoring;
• sustainable, energy‑efficient systems; and
• human‑centered usability and safety.

These priorities are reflected in multiple complex laboratory projects, supporting the resilience and long-term performance of Future Ready™ facilities.