Flexible laboratory design for Swiss start-up companies .

BakerHicks’ Laboratories specialists recently created a flexible and attractive rental space for life sciences and mechatronics start-up companies, as part of a wider multi-disciplinary design team appointed to deliver the project.

Converting an existing building next to the newly built University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland campus in Muttenz, the project included the development of higher-level logistics and security concepts for the building, alongside the design of its laboratories.

Highlights included the team’s close collaboration with a range of business start-ups – discovering more about their work, processes and needs. This meant the laboratory designs could be adapted to reflect current ways of working whilst allowing flexibility for change as needed.

The project also provided a real insight into the world of start-ups, meeting with founders and staff from across the businesses to develop a detailed understanding of design requirements to ultimately help them grow.

The laboratories are already in use, and due to their proximity to the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland, the start-ups are well-placed for some exciting research and development opportunities in the future.