Research and development environments are swiftly adapting to the changing demands of a modern workforce that prioritizes amenities, collaboration, and durable yet aesthetically pleasing designs. At the heart of this transformation is the idea of the "divergent laboratory," a flexible space that fosters innovation and creativity in an inclusive setting, allowing teams to scale up or down as necessary. 

National Laboratory Planning Leader, Marilee Lloyd, and Science Sector Leader, Jon Howard, share their best practices for an adaptable, scientific workplace in the leadership insight below. 

Future-proofing is a strategic approach that architects and builders use when designing buildings. The concept is all about predicting potential future challenges—  anything from environmental pressures, such as extreme weather conditions, to societal changes, like new technology demands. 

By anticipating these factors, a building can remain functional and relevant, even as times change. The goal is to prevent a building from becoming obsolete or outdated, ensuring it can serve its purpose for many years to come. Download our top 4 tips for future proofing your next building below! 

In recent years, American manufacturing has seen a notable resurgence driven by factors like automation, sustainability, and reshoring efforts, bolstering the “Made in America” movement. This resurgence has spurred large-scale investments in manufacturing, often facilitated by government subsidies, creating job opportunities, and fostering self-sustaining manufacturing mega sites, and with them nearby “corporate towns” to support the operations and their workers.
 

However, corporate towns in the United States have a complex history marred by failures and controversies, highlighting the dangers of excessive corporate control over employees’ lives. Examples like Pullman, Illinois, underscore the risks of corporate paternalism and the need to balance company interests with community well-being. There’s an opportunity to learn from past mistakes and develop better solutions for corporate towns, considering factors like community autonomy, infrastructure development, and diversification of economic opportunities.