Science labs are a crucial part of secondary science learning. Most practical activities at this level require the availability of specialist resources and services. This gallery aims to explore a wide range of design ideas for school labs. (Compiled by expert consultant Andy Piggott)

1. Lab Design Gallery:
A portfolio of designs of school
science laboratories
Compiled by Andy Piggott
Science education consultant, retired
Formerly:
Lead tutor: Lab design course, National Science Learning Centre
and Project Officer: Laboratory Design for Teaching and Learning
tel: +44 (0)1753-885222
e-mail: andy.piggott@btinternet.com

2. All the designs and ideas in this
portfolio were contributed by firms and
organisations, with the intent that a
wide range of designs for school
science laboratories should be made
available to all those who are working
to provide good quality laboratories for
children to learn in.
Where possible, designs have been
attributed to the appropriate firm or
organisation.

3. The way they used to be ?
from CLEAPSS Guide L14, 2000

4. Circles – double Lab
National SLC, York

5. Circles - linked
S+B

6. Frith Architects
Circles and perimeter

7. Circle - adjustable
British Thornton

8. Square – Circle - Octagon

9. Octagons – linked 1
LDTL

10. Octagons – linked 2
LDTL

11. Octagons - linked
ESA

12. Octagons – tall services
ESA

13. Octagons – separate practical area
Chemistry - Anon

14. Octagon + Trapezium
Staffordshire with S+B

15. Octagons – Special School
LDTL

16. Half Octagons
Anon

17. Octagons – in line
Anon

18. Half Octagons
Crossbrooks

19. Peninsula - Octagon
Key Stage

20. Peninsulas 1
LDTL

21. Peninsulas 2
LDTL

22. Thin peninsula
Anon

23. Perimeter - ICT
ESA

24. Central spine
Anon

25. Traditional - updated
Crossbrooks

26. Rectangles – fixed bollards
LDTL

27. Rectangles – overhead services
LDTL + Anon

28. Rectangles – overhead services
Grant Westfield

29. Overhead services
Tottenham UTC
Note – flexible pipes and cables not shown

30. Rectangles – tall bollards
Bluecoat School

31. Home made – slide under benches
Ratton

32. Triple length bollards
Staffordshire
Drawing by A-Z
Partnerships Ltd

33. Hayesfield - Cleeves
Superlab – Island benches

34. Swirl
Yorks + Humberside SLC

35. Wavy
Tottenham UTC

36. Wavy – two heights
Key Stage - Discovery

37. Kidney
Crossbrooks

38. Movable bollards - curvy
West Midlands SLC

39. Movable bollards - curvy
ESA Arial

40. Jigsaw
Langley Academy

41. Movable bollards / adjustable
benches
London SLC

42. Teardrops
S+B Mercury

43. Teardrops - Circle
S+B Mercury + Saturn

44. Colour and Illumination
Saturn
Saturn +
Mercury
S + B

45. Teardrops – tutorial + dem room
LDTL

46. Teardrops – wide end forward
Staffordshire
Drawing by
A-Z Partnership Ltd

47. Centre of circle
Bideford College Project Faraday

48. Vocational Chemistry
JISC

49. Secure
Key Stage - Secure

50. Rotatable service bollard
Reaction furniture British Thornton

51. Lab 21 – Lab 1
DENI

52. Lab 21 – Lab 1
DENI
practical
ICT
role play

53. Lab 21 – Lab 2
DENI

54. Lab 21 – Lab 2
DENI
ICT
discussion 1
discussion 2

55. Lab 21 – Lab 3
DENI

56. Lab 21 – Lab 3
DENI
ICT
Wet & Dry

57. Lab 21 – Teaching Wall
DENI

58. Lab 21 – Teaching Wall
DENI

59. Teaching wall – with short-throw projector
S + B

60. Secure
SLC North East with S+B

61. Lecture - practical
1970s Grammar School

62. Lecture - practical
Network

63. Flexible
Pupils / Demonstration /
Fume Cupboard
IntegratED Tong School

64. Teacher’s bollard/desk
Key Stage

65. Demonstration bench
SLC North West

66. Teacher’s bench
British Thornton

67. Special bench - adjustable
British Thornton

68. Service bollard
– same height as benches
DfES BB80, 2004
(now DfE)

69. Service bollard
– taller than benches
Bluecoat School

70. Service bollards fixing mobile
benches
S+B Intercon

71. Service Bollard on wheels – elec only
Kings School, Peterborough (Project Faraday)

72. Service bollard with plinth
Anon

73. Thin perimeter services and display
Key Stage – concept design

74. Control of all Services – in one
place
Mossbourne Academy

75. Control of Services – gas / elec / water – key version
Flamefast

76. Control of Services – gas / elec / water – software version
Trio Lab Start
via ‘Heat and Combustion Supplies’

77. Health & Safety area
LDTL

78. Emergency eyewash
Arboles

79. New style electric floor socket
Kings School, Peterborough
(Project Faraday)

80. High gas taps – to keep bench clear
Kings School, Peterborough (Project Faraday)

81. Gallery – benches go under
King Charles School
As lecture theatre
Practical work

82. Decoration as Science
DNA in floor
Screens give alternative spaces –
code for A,G,C,T
King Charles School

83. Sedum roof
King Charles School

84. Periodic table + chairs!
East Barnet School (Project Faraday)
Drop Zone

85. Glass brick wall
Bentley Wood School

86. Glass wall
Tottenham UTC

87. Agile
spaceoasis
Informal meeting pod
Touchdown wall

88. Agile
Screened desking oasis
Cleared away
spaceoasis

89. 2 into 1
Anon

90. 3 into 1
Anon

91. Project Faraday
Flexible use
– Eco-lab
Mary Webb School
and Science College

92. Prep room -- plants
SLC NW

93. Prep Room – use of trays
Tower Hamlets College

94. Prep Room – height of storage
Gratnells

95. Prep Room – rolling storage
Gratnells

96. Hayesfield
Superlab – Open Prep