The last pillar of Maslow’s hierarchy focuses on mental health, wellness, and personal growth. While this is often more focused on operationally, design can help foster these qualities in the workplace by creating calming spaces for respite, relaxation, and meditation.

resized-1830066

There are a host of challenges to improving working conditions in controlled scientific environments, but the benefits are well worth the effort. 

resize-lab-image-2

Just as humans are motivated to fulfil their needs in a hierarchical order, moving from the most basic need to more advanced needs, we have identified five ways scientific facility design can help improve the workplace experience from a holistic, humanistic perspective.

resized-tiers-of-needs

A design element that is front and center, stairs encourage people to collaborate and connect both with coworkers they know well and those they wouldn’t typically interact with by creating curated collision zones. 

A design element that is front and center, it encourages people to collaborate and connect both with coworkers they know well and those they wouldn’t typically interact with by creating curated collision zones.

Outdoor areas provide stress-reducing benefits of nature and fresh air, while serving as collision zones that encourage interactions and collaboration between departments. They provide space for the company to connect with the surrounding community as well.

resized-nap-pod

Create a comfortable environment that fulfills basic human needs and encourages productivity<br><br>

Five Things Every Lab Needs but Doesn&rsquo;t Have

Article

june-2025-the-benefits-business-case-and-planning-strategies-behind-lab-digitalization

Joining Processes And Software For a Streamlined, Quality-First Laboratory

The Benefits, Business Case, And Planning Strategies Behind Lab Digitalization

Rachel Nasland

Elemental Analysis Application Note Thumbnail

elemental-analysis-thumb

A scientist puts a sample into a test tube. The scientist is outside with a couple of large tanks in the background. 

81968-istock-1396964668-2400x1200

perkinelmer-swp-full-color

PerkinElmer

Accuracy and Reliability in Trace Element Analysis

compilation-thumbnail

Scientist places a test tube into a rack. Another scientist sits at a bench in the background

81968-istock-1436032046-2400x1200

Strategies for More Efficient, Compliant, and Reliable LC-MS/MS Workflows

Polymer Analysis: Selecting Analytical Technologies for Accuracy and Compliance Thumbnail Image

polymer-analysis-thumb

ftir

Polymer Analysis: Selecting Analytical Technologies for Accuracy and Compliance

Stop Variability at the Bench Thumbnail Image

sartorius-thumbnail

Gloved scientist inspects petri dishes while colleague pipettes—lab scene emphasizes traceability and data integrity.

Rachel Nasland

Articles by Rachel Nasland

Five Things Every Lab Needs but Doesn’t Have

The Benefits, Business Case, And Planning Strategies Behind Lab Digitalization

Sponsored

Accuracy and Reliability in Trace Element Analysis

Strategies for More Efficient, Compliant, and Reliable LC-MS/MS Workflows

Polymer Analysis: Selecting Analytical Technologies for Accuracy and Compliance

Stop Lab Variability at the Bench