University & Teaching Lab Casework

University & Education Lab Casework

University laboratories present unique casework challenges: high-traffic teaching labs with students rotating every semester, research labs that change focus with new grants and faculty, and capital budgets that require competitive pricing without sacrificing quality. Labs USA understands academic procurement and provides casework solutions that balance durability, flexibility, and institutional budget requirements.

We work with university facilities departments, lab managers, architects, and general contractors on projects ranging from single-room teaching lab renovations to multi-building campus laboratory programs.

Key Requirements

• Student-grade durability — Hardware and construction that withstand heavy, sometimes careless use
• Budget optimization — Competitive pricing for multi-room and campus-wide procurement
• Flexible configurations — Research labs that adapt to new grants, instruments, and faculty
• ADA compliance — Accessible workstations per institutional accessibility standards
• Long replacement cycles — University casework must last 20-30+ years between replacements
• Procurement compliance — State contract pricing, competitive bidding, and Buy American requirements

Recommended Materials

Primary recommendation: Steel casework for teaching labs and general research areas — best balance of durability and cost. Wood casework for faculty offices, administrative labs, and spaces where campus aesthetics matter. Modular systems for research labs with changing grant-funded programs.

Common Configurations

• Organic chemistry teaching labs — Steel casework with fume hood bases, acid storage, and heavy-duty drawer units
• Biology teaching labs — Phenolic or steel casework with integrated microscope storage and specimen drawers
• Graduate research labs — Modular casework that reconfigures between research groups
• Campus core facilities — Stainless steel for shared instrument rooms (NMR, mass spec, microscopy)
• Maker spaces and interdisciplinary labs — Heavy-duty mobile casework on casters for flexible layouts

A Practical Fit-Out Plan for New Faculty and Startup Labs

When a researcher has waited months for usable space, the first goal is often a functional lab that can begin producing data without turning the room into a major renovation. Start by separating what must be fixed to the building from what can remain movable. Existing power, water, gas, vacuum, drainage, and exhaust may reduce demolition, but only after facilities or the project engineer verifies their locations, capacity, condition, and suitability for the planned work. Do not rely on old as-built drawings alone.

Freestanding, mobile, or height-adjustable benches can preserve flexibility while equipment locations are still changing. They may also avoid rebuilding a fixed island. Review custom versus modular casework and adjustable-height tables when comparing approaches. Timing depends on the selected products, required modifications, and overall scope, so ask Labs USA to review the specific project.

Choose the lowest-disruption layout that supports the work

Phase the fit-out around research priorities

1. 1
   Define the minimum operational lab List the procedures that must start first, the number of users, required containment, critical instruments, utilities, work surface needs, and immediate storage. This becomes the first-phase scope.
2. 2
   Lock down building-dependent items Confirm utility connections, sinks, exhaust paths, hood or biosafety cabinet locations, emergency equipment, and any floor or wall work. These decisions affect trades and should be coordinated before movable furniture.
3. 3
   Order essential work zones and storage Prioritize the benches, work surfaces, cabinets, and shelving needed to receive equipment and begin approved work. Keep uncertain areas modular where possible rather than fixing every future station in place.
4. 4
   Add later capacity after workflows are proven Phase in secondary benches, added storage, specialty tables, or additional extraction after the team has used the room. This can reduce rework caused by preliminary equipment layouts.

Information to send for an accurate layout

• Send a dimensioned room plan or field measurements, plus photos of every wall, floor penetration, ceiling condition, doorway, and utility point.
• Include an equipment list with dimensions, weights, service needs, heat output if known, and required working clearances. Mark equipment already purchased separately from future items.
• Describe procedures and materials that may require a fume hood, biosafety cabinet, local extraction, or other containment. Include accessibility needs such as wheelchair knee clearance, open-end stations, reach ranges, and height adjustment. Have the institution’s accessibility reviewer, EHS team, engineer, and authority having jurisdiction confirm applicable requirements.
• Identify what existing cabinets or islands will be removed and estimate the drawer, cupboard, and shelf space that must be replaced.
• Note the desired first-use functions and what may wait for a later phase. Upload the plan through the free laboratory layout and casework review, along with room dimensions, verified utility locations, equipment list, hood or containment needs, storage inventory, accessibility needs, photos, and phasing priorities.

Send those details through our contact form or call (801) 855-8560, and a Labs USA specialist will review them with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Pages

Casework for University & Education Labs — Free Design

Expert lab design for university & education environments. Call (801) 855-8560.