Connecting Scientific Discovery to Daily Workflows in Carlsbad
Design Therapeutics approached this renovation with a clear and urgent goal: create a workplace and laboratory environment that accelerates discovery. As a leader in developing small-molecule therapeutics using GeneTACs™, their work targets the root causes of inherited diseases. That level of scientific rigor demands a space where research, data, and daily collaboration are tightly aligned. The challenge was to transform an existing 10,000 SF facility in Carlsbad, California into a high-performance lab and workplace that supports precision, speed, and adaptability, all within the constraints of a renovation.
HED partnered with the client to guide strategic planning, interior design, and laboratory design as a unified effort. From the outset, the team focused on the relationship between people and process. Scientists needed to move seamlessly between focused desk work and hands-on experimentation. The design responds with a clear, intuitive layout that minimizes barriers between office and lab environments, allowing teams to shift quickly from analysis to action. This physical proximity supports a more fluid workflow, where insights can be tested, refined, and advanced without delay.
Inside the lab, every element is calibrated to support complex research operations. Two dedicated tissue culture rooms provide controlled environments for sensitive work, while six biosafety cabinets and two fume hoods support a range of experimental procedures. Four double-stacked incubators maximize capacity within a compact footprint. Essential utilities, including lab air, vacuum, deionized water, and localized nitrogen, are fully integrated to support flexibility and performance. The space also accommodates critical storage needs, with designated areas for flammable and acid storage, as well as multiple ultra-low temperature freezers. Four -80 freezers and two -20 freezers are connected to emergency power, reinforcing operational continuity and protecting valuable research.
Beyond technical performance, the workplace reflects a thoughtful approach to user experience. The adjacency of lab and office space creates a rhythm to the workday, where movement feels natural and uninterrupted. This connection fosters collaboration and shared problem-solving, supporting the kind of interdisciplinary thinking that drives innovation in life sciences.
Delivered through a design-bid-build approach, the $2 million renovation demonstrates how strategic planning and integrated thinking can unlock value within an existing footprint. By aligning laboratory infrastructure with workplace design, the project supports both the technical demands of advanced research and the human needs of the scientists behind it.
The result is a space that reflects Design Therapeutics’ mission and momentum. It positions their team to move with clarity and purpose, advancing critical research in an environment built for precision, connection, and discovery. This project embodies a smarter way to design, where collaboration and technical expertise come together to support meaningful scientific progress.
