The Top Line As AI evolves, the modern R&D lab is changing
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Mar 6, 2026 Ryley Poblete, Gensler’s global sciences practice leader who advises on lab and workplace design, discusses how AI, automation and new data-driven workflows are forcing a rethink of research spaces. He outlines the Next Next lab concept, balancing deep focus for computational teams with collaborative zones. Topics include automation’s impact on experimentation, digital pathology, infrastructure needs and future-proofing labs.
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Automation Turns Experiments Into Data Loops
- Lab work is shifting from manual bench tasks to machines that run experiments and return data for modeling.
- Ryley Poblete explains automation produces large data sets that feed models and create recursive experiment loops for de‑risking science.
New Team Mix Requires Different Spaces
- Teams now include computational scientists and engineers with different space needs than traditional bench researchers.
- Ryley Poblete says these roles require spaces that enable collaboration rather than siloing engineers, modelers, and bench scientists.
Provide Private Focus Spaces For Computational Work
- Design workplaces to support deep focused work, not just open plans, because computational scientists need concentrated environments.
- Ryley Poblete notes open offices hinder deep focus and teams often need private spaces to talk to AI or concentrate.