Bytes and Benches: Planning for the Explosion of Computational Space in the Science Workplace

1. ANDY SNYDER, AIA
Principal, NBBJ
San Francisco, California
FREDERICK MARKS, AIA
Visiting Scholar & Research
Collaborator, Salk Institute
for Biological Studies
Co-Founder, Academy
of Neuroscience for
Architecture, La Jolla,
California
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2. 01
COMPUTATION IS CHANGING
THE NATURE & PROCESS
OF RESEARCH
Computation, large dataset analysis, and
robotics are changing the nature and
processes of research. These changes
have a direct impact on work modes,
space utilization, and human experience
and performance.
Transcriptic Robotic
Cloud Laboratory

3. 02
IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT LESS
SPACE—IT’S ABOUT BETTER,
HEALTHIER EXPERIENCE
For research, less is not more. Some of
the smartest people in the world work
in these buildings. We are gaining a
better understanding of human health/
productivity... and we need to design
buildings around those principles.
European
Bioinformatics
Institute

4. 03
ATTRACTING THE BEST DATA
SCIENCE TALENT REQUIRES
DESIGNING A GREAT HUMAN
EXPERIENCE
The acceleration of the “drying out” of traditional
wet-bench based scientific processes provides
the opportunity to transition conventional models
of science facilities to new models of science
workplace… and allow these organizations to
compete with technology companies increasingly
interested in the same talent pool.
CoFactor
Genomics HQ

5. TODAY’S PRESENTATION
EVIDENCE
How is the work of science changing, and what is the impact on space?
LEARNING FROM TECH
What do neuroscience, health, environment and behaviorial science teach us about
the successes of technology workplace paradigms?
IMPLICATIONS
How can we optimize the space needs and qualitative/quantitative drivers for
computational science work going forward?

7. CURRENT STATE
Does this look familiar?
When new research teams move into a building, they often adapt wet lab space for dry/computational work.

8. Less than half of life science work is done at the bench, according to a recent JLL survey.

9. DATA GROWTH
We create as much information in two days as we
did from the dawn of civilization through 2003
Ninety percent of all the data in the world
has been created in the last 2 years

10. DATA GROWTH
We can sequence 18,000 patient genomes/year…
which generates 1.8 petabytes of data.
1.8 petabytes = 1.8 million
gigabytes…or 9,000
desktop hard drives
Or about 360,000 DVDs…
a stack 2 miles high

11. 1982 1985 1988 1991 1993 1996 1999 2002 2007 2010 2013
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
160
2004
BASEPAIRS(BILLIONS)
DATA GROWTH
GENOMIC MEDICINE: The customization of healthcare – medical decisions, treatments
and drugs – for each patient based on their unique DNA sequence
A single human genome has 3 billion base pairs.

12. NIH FUNDING OF DRY RESEARCH
Networking & IT R&D (NITRD) program funds increase in data science-driven research
2011 2012 2013 2015
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
800
2014
DOLLARS(MILLIONS)
2010 2016
( ESTIMATED)
2017
( REQUESTED)

13. COMPUTATION IS ADDING MORE ROLES
More people on the team, with proportionally less space required for their work
AVERAGE GROUP SIZE
11.2 PEOPLE
LABORATORY
SCIENTIST
COMPUTATIONAL CLINICIANINFORMATICS /
CLINICAL OUTCOMES
CLINICAL TRIALIST
WET BENCH SCIENTIST DRY BENCH SCIENTIST CLINICIAN
AVERAGE GROUP SIZE
11.2 PEOPLE
BENCHES / LAB SUPPORT
TOTAL GROUP SPACE (ASF)
BENCHES / LAB SUPPORT
TOTAL GROUP SPACE (ASF)
AVERAGE GROUP SIZE
6.2 PEOPLE
TOTAL GROUP SPACE (ASF)
AVERAGE GROUP SIZE
4.2 PEOPLE
SHARED CLINICAL
EXAM / LAB / EQUIPMENT
TOTAL GROUP SPACE (ASF)
AVERAGE GROUP SIZE
1.1 PEOPLE
BENCHES / LAB SUPPORT
TOTAL GROUP SPACE (ASF)
1,382 1,094 478 560 111

14. THE WORK OF DATA SCIENCE
Dry-bench computational work is just as focused as wet-bench laboratory work.

15. PAST FUTUREPRESENT
5%
Discovery (DRY)
5%
Analysis (DRY)
0%
Social / Amenity
40%
Discovery (WET)
40%
Analysis (WET)
10%
Communicate / Interact
15%
Discovery (DRY)
25%
Analysis (DRY)
5%
Social / Amenity
25%
Discovery (WET)
15%
Analysis (WET)
15%
Communicate / Interact
25%
Discovery (DRY)
20%
Analysis (DRY)
10%
Social / Amenity
5%
Discovery (WET)
20%
Analysis (WET)
20%
Communicate / Interact
WORK MODALITIES SURVEY
Percentage of time spent/work performed on analysis increasing

16. COMMON THEMES:
WHAT'S THE DATA
TELLING US?
• Research is drying out
• Utilization of wet labs is decreasing,
while dry is increasing
• The new generation of researchers
is data-driven
• Research is increasingly team-based
• The work of science is becoming
more computational
• How do we begin to re-think
conventional lab environments to
support computational work?
TRADITIONAL LAB SPACE
OTHER
P
R
O
GRAM
TOTAL
LAB BUILDING
AREA
OTHER
P
R
O
GRAM

17. COMMON THEMES:
WHAT'S THE DATA
TELLING US?
• Research is drying out
• Utilization of wet labs is decreasing,
while dry is increasing
• The new generation of researchers
is data-driven
• Research is increasingly team-based
• The work of science is becoming
more computational
• How do we begin to re-think
conventional lab environments to
support computational work?
AVAILAB
LE
SPACE
OTHER
P
R
O
GRAM
TOTAL
LAB BUILDING
AREA
L
A
B
SPACEADJUSTEDFORDATA
SCIE
N
CE

18. COMMON THEMES:
WHAT'S THE DATA
TELLING US?
• Research is drying out
• Utilization of wet labs is decreasing,
while dry is increasing
• The new generation of researchers
is data-driven
• Research is increasingly team-based
• The work of science is becoming
more computational
• How do we begin to re-think
conventional lab environments to
support computational work?
AVAILAB
LE
SPACE
OTHER
P
R
O
GRAM
TOTAL
LAB BUILDING
AREA
Whatdowedo
with this space?
L
A
B
SPACEADJUSTEDFORDATA
SCIE
N
CE

19. Technology companies are not making their facilities smaller—they are using newly-available,
“found” space for programs and uses that increase productivity, health and happiness.

20. Tencent HQAmazon HQ
Samsung HQ Gates Foundation HQ
Gates Foundation HQ
Samsung HQ
Samsung HQ
Recent NBBJ-designed technology company R&D facilities

21. FIGHTING FOR THE
DATA SCIENTIST
Tech and life science companies are now
battling for the same talent – data science is a
rare blend of technical and creative skills that
is in high demand in both industries.
BIG DATA INSIGHT
ALGORITHM
DESIGN
DATA
SCIENTISTS

22. RECRUITING DATA
SCIENCE TALENT
The most desirable skill is the ability to
analyze and make sense of metadata.

23. The NCI Genomic Data Commons at the University of Chicago Kenwood Data Center

24. WHAT DO TECH COMPANIES PROVIDE TO ENTICE
DATA SCIENCE TALENT?
Tech companies understand that to recruit and retain the best data science and engineering
talent, they need to provide an engaging work experience – one that also maximizes intellectual
productivity and creativity.
BRAND
EXPRESSION
PURPOSE /
MISSION DRIVEN
AMENITIES ACTIVITY-BASED
WORKPLACE
MOBILITY
HUMAN PERFORMANCE

25. Dr. John Medina
A growing body of primary research
shows the connnections between
environmental design, neuroscience
and behavior.
Especially in research buildings —
the “workplaces” of some of the smartest
people in the world — planners and
designers can now provide environments
and experiences which optimize mental
acuity and intellectual productivity.
To push this further, NBBJ has engaged
Dr. John Medina, a developmental
molecular biologist and research
consultant. He is an Affiliate Professor
of Bioengineering at the University
of Washington School of Medicine
and an NBBJ Fellow.

27. CONSIDERATIONS
Empirical evidence does not exist for
measuring productivity in work environments.
The best organizations recognize that
occupancy densities should be based on
enabling positive outcomes.
Dr. Salk wanted to embrace a diversity of
scientific disciplines with no departments and
allow for an unencumbered physical plan.
QUIET & PRIVATE
OPEN & PUBLIC FAMILIAR & NOVEL

28. 6 KEY HUMAN PERFORMANCE DRIVERS
PROSPECT/
REFUGE
NEED FOR
NATURE
EXERCISE &
AEROBICS
CO2/OXYGEN
LEVELS
VISUAL INTEREST
& ACUITY
HUMAN
INTERACTION

29. PROSPECT/REFUGE
Ngorongoro Crater
Humans evolved in settings where they could survey the terrain for
food — “prospect” — from a safe vantage point – “refuge.” Areas
that provide a balance between prospect and refuge are where
people experience the least stress and are therefore more free to
think and ideate.

30. 60% of lost workdays
each year can be
attributed to stress.
Problems at work
lead to more health
complaints than any
other stressor in the
united states – even
financial problems or
family problems.
We are most creative
and productive when
we feel safe, and our
brains feel safest when
we have a blend of
prospect and refuge.
Appleton, J. The Experience of
Landscape. New Jersey: John
Wiley & Sons Inc, 1975
In the United States,
the cost of stress
in the workplace –
absenteeism, reduced
productivity, sick leave,
etc. – was an estimated
$300 billion in 2010.
Scott, S. C. "Visual Attributes
Related to Preference in Interior
Environments." Journal of Interior
Design 18, no. 1–2 (1993): 7–16.

31. This may look like a typical workplace, but the layout of huddle/collaboration
rooms (at right) subscribe to the principle of prospect-refuge.

32. SALK INSTITUTE
The studio configuration and sizing/scale of the courtyard
at the Salk Institute also follow these principles.

34. NEED FOR NATURE

35. 80% of the occupants
near windows were
highly satisfied with
their environment,
compared to 55%
[satisfaction] occupying
more interior spaces.
Visual and auditory
access to nature has a
direct and measurable
effect and reduces
stress, which increases
productivity and
creativity.
Laumann, K.T., and et al.
"Selective Attention and Heart Rate
Responses to Natural and Urban
Environments." J Env Psych 23
(2003): 125–34.
After moving into a
new daylit space,
companies report
over 5% increase in
productivity with a
25–28% increase in
total product output.
Ulrich, R.S. "Effects of Health
Facility Interior Design on Wellness:
Theory and Recent Scientific
Research." J Health Care Des 3
(1991): 97–109.

36. CIRCADIAN RHYTHM
Our bodies have a master circadian clock that
regulates behavioral rhythms over an approximate
24-hour period. Circadian entrainment
(synchronization) occurs when photoreceptor
cells in the eye’s retina sense light. These cells
are of three types: rods, cones and ipRGCs.
MELATONIN is a chemical substance that
is activated in the absence of light and is
suppressed when a certain amount of light is
present.
MELANOPSIN is a protein present in retinal
ganglion cells (ipRGCs) that is activated by non-
image forming responses. It is most sensitive to
blue light
Mid-day
below grade
Dusk at grade
Salk Institute
Salk Institute

37. Sonos HQ, Boston
From a neuroscience standpoint, access to nature does not need to be “real" — it can
also be simulated, which produces similar positive neurological activity in the brain.

38. EXERCISE & AEROBICS
Samsung AHQ | NBBJ

39. On average office
workers spend 76% of
their day sitting and
tend to underestimate
their time sitting.
Sitting for over 6 hours
a day for a decade
or two can cut away
about 7 years of quality
adjusted life (the kind
you want).

40. COGNITIVEBENEFIT
COGNITIVE BENEFIT OF AEROBIC EXERCISE
Aerobic exercise has been shown to boost executive function and buffer stress.
To be effective, heart rate must be higher than average heart rate when walking.
MINUTES PER WEEK
From findings in:
Tomporowski, P.D. "Effects of Acute Bouts of
Exercise on Cognition." Acta Psychol (Amst) 112
(2003): 297-324.
150

41. Amenities like fitness centers are not only “nice-to-haves,” but also have the added
benefit of increasing one’s heart rate, thereby increasing cognition. Samsung AHQ | NBBJ

42. Even amenities like foosball and table tennis benefit from this principle! Samsung AHQ | NBBJ

43. OXYGEN LEVELS
223 Yale | NBBJ

44. One of the most interesting findings
of the past few decades is that
an increase in oxygen is always
accompanied by an up-tick in
mental sharpness.
Doubling the air change rate to
reduce CO2 levels, at a cost of
$40/person, resulted in $6500
gain in productivity per person in
an office environment.
Allen JG, MacNaughton P, Satish U, Santanam
S, Vallarino J, Spengler JD. 2016. "Associations
of Cognitive Function Scores With Carbon Dioxide,
Ventilation, and Volatile Organic Compound Exposures
in Office Workers: A Controlled Exposure Study of
Green and Conventional Office Environments." Environ
Health Perspect 124:805–812.

45. Amazon’s new headquarters in Seattle, currently under construction, includes an innovation
center which leverages daylight and plant life to optimize space for creative collaboration. Amazon HQ | NBBJ

46. Amazon HQ | NBBJ

47. HUMAN INTERACTION
Samsung AHQ | NBBJ

48. 30% of respondents who
reported having a best
friend at work were seven
times more likely to be
engaged at their jobs.
J. Harter & T. Rath. (2010). Wellbeing:
The Five Essential Elements. New York,
NY: Gallup Press.
Separating by more than
100' is equivalent to being
in different buildings, if
not different geographical
locations. Even within this
range, those nearest to
one anothercommunicate
more than those at a
greater distance.
Serendipitous group
interactions boost
productivity 25%.
Lindsay, G. "Engineering Serendipity."
New York Times. http://www.nytimes.
com/2013/04/07/opinion/sunday/
engineering-serendipity.html?_r=0.

49. By relocating participants
so they were all working
in the same area, informal
communities of practice
grew up around the various
tasks involved in the
process, and the time to
complete it was cut from
17 days to 3 days.
Research shows that if
people have to walk more
than 65' to see someone,
they’ll send an email
instead. If they’re close,
they’ll walk to see each
other and communicate
in person.

50. YOU CAN IDENTIFY HIGH-PERFORMING TEAMS
BY COUNTING RELATIONSHIPS
Scientific teams that have more dense networks of
interaction achieve higher levels of productivity.
TEAM A TEAM B
Achieves more, innovates more
AN
INDIVIDUAL
ARELATIONSHIP

51. BUILDING LAYOUT CATALYZES
SOCIAL NETWORKS
The “Allen Curve”
submits that physical
distance plays an
important role in
how frequently we
communicate with
each other.
Silo structure
Many social links
Not many interdisciplinary links
CONCLUSION: Executors (aligned but not creative)
COMMUNICATION PATTERNS IN TRADITIONAL LAB COMMUNICATION PATTERNS IN FLEXI LAB
One team
Many social links
Many interdisciplinary links
CONCLUSION: Innovators (aligned AND creative)

52. SAMSUNG VIDEO

53. VISUAL INTEREST /
VISUAL ACUITY
Amazon HQ | NBBJ

54. Those employees at a
workstation with partition
heights above eye level
on two sides are seen to
be performing 11%–18%
slower than those with
all their partitions below
eye level.
Office workers were found
to perform 10%–23%
better on tests of mental
function and memory
recall when they had a view
versus those with no view.
When people look at
something they find
beautiful, a portion of the
brain called the medial
orbito-frontal cortex “lights
up” with increased blood
flow in this area. It is a
near-universal response
to beauty.
In neuro imaging studies,
“beautiful” paintings elicited
increased activity in the
orbito-frontal cortex, which
is involved in emotion and
reward. Interestingly, the
“uglier” a painting, the
greater the motor cortex
activity, as if the brain
was preparing to escape.

55. PLACE VS. SPACE
The visual environment has measurable statistics.
The natural world is filled with contours where orientation is similar.
Designers exploit these regular repeating structures (such as fractals).
Ocean waves P. Mondrian “Composition” Salk Institute detail

58. COMMON THEMES:
WHAT'S THE DATA
TELLING US?
• Research is drying out
• Utilization of wet labs is decreasing,
while dry is increasing
• The new generation of researchers
is data-driven
• Research is increasingly team-based
• The work of science is becoming
more computational
• How do we begin to re-think
conventional lab environments to
support computational work?
AVAILAB
LE
SPACE
OTHER
P
R
O
GRAM
TOTAL
LAB BUILDING
AREA
Whatdowedo
with this space?
L
A
B
SPACEADJUSTEDFORUTILIZAT
IO
N

59. 6 KEY HUMAN PERFORMANCE DRIVERS
PROSPECT/
REFUGE
NEED FOR
NATURE
EXERCISE &
AEROBICS
CO2/OXYGEN
LEVELS
VISUAL INTEREST
& ACUITY
HUMAN
INTERACTION

60. PROSPECT-REFUGE
Design the “in-between” space
Brigham and Womens Hospital: Cafe is central to the “experience” of the
BWH campus precinct when considered with the Pike
The cafe is a place to see what’s going on (prospect) from a more intimate
environment (refuge)

61. NEED FOR NATURE
& VISUAL ACUITY
Add or simulate a view
BWH Building for Transformative Medicine: Tower design is
optimized for maximizing interior views and views outside This is a basement space!

62. EXERCISE & OXYGEN LEVELS
Provide amenities – or convenient access to them
Stanford University Li Ka Shing Center: 4th Floor is student-only amenity
floor with collaborative space, meeting areas, a fitness center and terrace

63. HUMAN INTERACTION
Apply activity-based solutions to ALL environments
The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital,
Research Building III: Flexible team-based dry research space

64. HOW CAN YOU DRIVE
CHANGE WITHIN
YOUR ORGANIZATION?
1. Building Advocacy: Proof at concept.
New computational planning tools allow us
to measure, prove and/or disprove whether
planning solutions are actually producing
the desired effects. The example here is an
avatar-based software NBBJ designed for the
Samsung AHQ project, which tracks visibility
and even calories burned for users during a
typical day. For one of the first times in our
profession, we have proof of concept. We
don’t have to wait until move-in to assess
the performance of a particular planning or
design solution.

65. HOW CAN YOU DRIVE
CHANGE WITHIN
YOUR ORGANIZATION?
2. Funding: Broaden utilization
studies. Consider including more
space types in your utilization studies
to get broader insights on where
people are spending most of their
time, given choice. This example
integrates GIS technology, providing
not only utilization data, but also
information on the locations in space
where people spend time.

66. The “new” 25% of available space — that which can be optimized for
human experience — is not expensive! Microsoft Learning Center | NBBJ

67. HOW CAN YOU DRIVE
CHANGE WITHIN
YOUR ORGANIZATION?
3. Interdisciplinary Behavior: One size does
NOT fit all! What works for one organization may
not work for another. It is critically important to
innovate solutions that uniquely connect mission,
culture, space/place and behavior during the
planning process.

68. TRADELINE 3
01
Computation is changing the
nature & process of research.
Computation, large dataset
analysis and robotics are
changing the nature and
processes of research. These
changes have a direct impact
on work modes, productivity
and employee experience.
02
It’s not just about less
space – it’s about healthier/
better experiences.
We are gaining a better
understanding of the
relationships between
space, behavior, health
and productivity. We can
now quantitatively measure
qualitative aspects of
experience and optimize
planning/design of
environments according to
those measures/criteria.
03
Attracting the best data
science talent requires
designing a great human
experience.
A new model for the
computational science
workplace is needed –
one that is grounded in
experience design and
enables healthy/productive
environments.