Why some open laboratories succeed and some fail

1 Poor lab layout

Scientists move around

building through main corridor

Conversations spill

over into ‘quiet area’

disturbing colleagues

Benches

Movement around lab

Quiet writing-up area

People working by the windows

2 Improved lab layout

Scientists move around building

Movement around lab

Conversations take place

near entrances, where

interactions are more likely

and further away from

people who are working

Benches

People working in the ‘quiet zone’

are undisturbed

1 Poor lab layout

Scientists move around building through main corridor

Conversations spill

over into ‘quiet area’

disturbing colleagues

Benches

Movement

around lab

Quiet writing-up area

People working by the windows

2 Improved lab layout

Scientists move around building

Movement

around lab

Conversations take place

near entrances, where

interactions are more likely

and further away from people

who are working

Benches

People working in the ‘quiet zone’ are undisturbed